At the National Memorial Arboretum, a place dedicated to memory and sacrifice, AJEX Honorary President, Mike Bluestone was presented with a framed miniature medal collection honouring Thomas William Gould VC, one of the Jewish community’s most distinguished wartime heroes.
During the First and Second World Wars, numerous Jewish servicemen and women received awards for acts of bravery and distinguished service. A number were awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the British Armed Forces. In the First World War, more than 55,000 Jewish men and women served in the British military and in direct war service. In the Second World War, over 70,000 Jewish men and women served in the British Armed Forces, including those from across the Commonwealth.
The presentation took place when Mike Bluestone met with Mike Colton, Founder of the Friends of the Allied Special Forces Memorial Grove. The occasion marked a tribute to the extraordinary bravery of a Jewish naval veteran.
The framed medals were kindly passed on after Mike Colton was contacted by White Ensign Lodge 9169, the Lodge of which Tommy Gould VC was a member and which had received the miniature replica medal collection in his honour. The Lodge’s connection to Tommy makes the preservation and presentation of the medals especially significant.
While the framed collection presented at the Arboretum is a miniature replica, AJEX are the custodians for Gould original full-size Victoria Cross and accompanying medals, preserving them for future generations.
The plaque and medals commemorate Gould’s outstanding gallantry during the Second World War. Serving aboard H.M. Submarine Thrasher, Petty Officer Thomas William Gould displayed exceptional courage during operations in the Mediterranean. On 16 February 1942, after the submarine had been subjected to depth charges and aerial attack, two unexploded bombs were discovered lodged in the gun casing. In extremely confined and dangerous conditions, Gould and a fellow crew member painstakingly manoeuvred the live bombs to safety, preventing almost certain destruction of the vessel and loss of life.
For this conspicuous bravery, Gould was awarded the Victoria Cross, which he received from King George VI on 29 June 1943. After being invalided out of the Royal Navy in 1945, Gould maintained his connection to the Navy and remained deeply engaged with the Jewish community.
During the ceremony, Mike Colton formally presented the framed miniature medal set to Mike Bluestone on behalf of AJEX. In return, Mike Bluestone presented Mike Colton with an AJEX plaque, symbolising gratitude and the start of cooperation dedicated to Remembrance and education.
Mike Bluestone, Honorary President of AJEX, said:
“I felt truly privileged to accept the miniature medals on behalf of AJEX. Seeing the medals revealed, particularly so close to the anniversary of Tommy’s extraordinary bravery on 16th February 1942, was a deeply meaningful moment. They represent courage of the highest order and the proud contribution of the Jewish community to our nation’s history.
This marks the beginning of what I am sure will be a flourishing relationship between AJEX and the Friends of the Allied Special Forces Memorial Grove, as we work together to ensure that stories like Tommy’s continue to be remembered and shared for generations to come.”
AJEX looks forward to building on this new relationship and will share in due course where the framed miniature medal collection will be placed, so that it may be viewed and appreciated as part of its ongoing work of remembrance.
For more information about Thomas William Gould VC, please visit:
https://victoriacrossonline.co.uk/thomas-william-gould-vc/
If you are looking for family medals AJEX can help as part of their medals campaign. Contact: ajexremembers@ajex.org.uk
