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Perhaps because of the poor quality of the CMG restoration, this group hammered at only £650.

Early Years in Lincolnshire

Born on 10 April 1878 in Jarrow, Northumberland, Thomas William Blood grew up in Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire, the son of John Blood and Frances Goulding. Life in Lincolnshire was modest, shaped by the rhythm of farm labor, but for young Thomas, bigger things awaited beyond the quiet countryside.

At 17 years old, Blood enlisted in the British Army on 9 March 1896, seeking a future beyond the fields. He joined the Lincolnshire Regiment, a path that would take him far from home and into the turbulent tides of history.

The Boer War and Brief Captivity

After three years of service in India, Blood was deployed to South Africa on 4 January 1900, early in the Second Boer War. The conflict was unlike anything the British Army had faced before—a fierce guerrilla struggle against the resourceful Boer fighters.

On 11 July 1900, Blood’s battalion was stationed at Zilikat’s Nek, a key pass in the Magaliesberg mountains. Lieutenant Colonel H.R. Roberts believed the position was secure, but General Koos de la Rey had other plans. At dawn, Boer riflemen fired from elevated positions, catching the British off guard. Blood and his comrades fought desperately, but by 15:00, with artillery captured and turned against them, Lt. Col. Roberts surrendered, and 198 men—including Blood—were taken prisoner of war.

However, Blood’s time as a POW was brief. Shortly afterwards, as British forces under Lord Roberts advanced and captured Pretoria, the Boers were forced to release their prisoners. Blood returned to British lines, avoiding the prolonged captivity that many others endured in the war.

He remained in South Africa until 2 March 1904, serving through the final phases of the war before returning home.

World War 1

Thomas married Alice Wray in 1906, and together they built a family, welcoming Vera (1908–2002) and Zillah (1912–1964). Thomas rejoined the Army in March 1908.

Then came World War 1. As Europe descended into conflict, Private Blood landed in France with the British Expeditionary Force on 5 November 1914.

On 10 February 1915, Blood was wounded in action, another mark of his continued resilience in the face of war. Despite his injuries, he served until the war’s end, earning the 1914 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal.

Later Years and Legacy

After his military service, Blood transitioned to civilian life, working as a cycle worker in Barton upon Humber before settling into public works café contracting by 1939.

He lived a full life, one shaped by war, survival, and resilience. On April 1952, he passed away in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, and was buried on 10 April 1952 in Barton-Upon-Humber, marking the end of a long journey filled with service and sacrifice.

Ref: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Silkaatsnek

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (2) Cape Colony, Paardeberg (1728 Pte: F. Williams. 2/Linc. Rgt:) engraved naming.

1727 on the roll. Two clasps listed on WO100/173p356