Description

An inter-War ‘Civil Division’ C.B. group of four awarded to T. H. Boyd Esq., Assistant Director-General, Post Office, late Captain, Royal Naval Air Service and Royal Air Force, who was Mentioned in Despatches for sinking a German submarine in March 1918

The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Civil) Companion’s breast badge, converted for neck wear, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1903, with neck riband and ties; British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Capt. T. H. Boyd. R.A.F.); Coronation 1937, unnamed as issued, mounted as worn, very fine, overall a scarce aeronautical and civil service award set.

C.B. London Gazette 1 January 1938

Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 3 June 1918

Thomas Herbert Boyd was born 29th November 1890 and was educated at London University. He was employed pre-War as an Assistant-Surveyor, General Post Office, and was appointed a Probationary Flight Officer, Royal Naval Air Service, on 22 October 1916. He was appointed Flight Sub-Lieutenant at Calshot Naval Air Station in July 1917, and was posted to H.M.S. Campania in October of that year. He transferred to the Royal Air Force as an Aeroplane and Seaplane Pilot in April 1918, and served as Acting Flight Commander, H.M.S. Campania, from September 1918. For his services during the Great War and his Times obituary states that this was specifically for the sinking of an enemy submarine in March 1918. He transferred to the Unemployed List with the rank of Captain in May 1919.

Resuming his career with the General Post Office, Boyd held numerous senior positions, culminating in his appointment as Assistant Director-General on 18 August 1936, on an annual salary of £2,000. Appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath in the 1938 New Year’s Honours’ List, he died in London at St Bartholemew’s Hospital London on 28th May 1941.

While there are no specific details of his death we can find, the date of his death may well relate to the London Blitz, with German raids being frequent and heavy during the period.