Notes
https://www.greatwarforum.org/topic/111102-captain-thomas-joseph-wilfred-weld-mc-and-bar/
Thomas was listed for his Military Cross in London Gazette Issue No: 30817 on 27th July 1918.
In LG Issue No: 30950 dated 11th October 1918 Thomas was awarded a bar to the Military Cross and his citation reads:
“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in action. Under heavy attacks by the enemy he showed marked ability and coolness in the control of his company. It was largely owing to his fine courage and personal example that the firing line was maintained at the point where his company was in position. He has always set a splendid example to his men.”
Whilst operating in southern German East Africa Thomas’ battalion, 2/2 KAR, was part of the Kilwa Force.
At an action near Nambanje on 13th March 1917 Thomas deployed to attack a German concentration, expecting to meet up with a column from 2/3 KAR. Thomas had 80 men with him from Nos 3 and 4 Companies of his battalion but regrettably the 2/3 KAR company failed to reach the rendezvous, having bumped into a Schutztruppe patrol and retired. Nevertheless Thomas attacked the enemy. “The King’s African Rifles” by H. Moyse-Bartlett comments:
“The result was an unpleasant experience for Weld’s force, which was now left to face alone a greatly superior detachment of the enemy, who was fully alive to the situation". Weld’s advance was stopped by heavy fire; he was attacked with determination on both flanks, and driven back with the loss of one machine gun and the whole gun team of another. In this engagement one officer was severely wounded and fell into enemy hands, where he died later; seven men were killed and ten wounded.” 2/2 KAR continued to fight hard and sustain casualties in southern German East Africa, Ironically and sadly Thomas Weld died in Nairobi on the day that von Lettow signed his surrender document in Abercorn, Northern Rhodesia.