India General Service Medal clasp North West Frontier 1935 (3308212 PTE. T. LILLIS. H.L.I.); 1939-45 Star; Defence Medal; War Medal 1939-45 - unnamed as awarded.
Thomas Henry Lillis was born in East Barnet, Herts in 1908. He enlisted with the 2nd Bn Highland Light Infantry in 1928 and served with them on the North West Frontier in 1935. He saw further service in WWII earning the 1939-45 Star, Defence Medal and the War Medal 1939-45. He was released from service on 24.7.1945
A Coalman by occupation he embezzled fund from his employer in 1947 and was in trouble again in 1950 - the headlines of the Wood Green and Southgate Weekly Herald 4 August 1950 reading thus: " Ought to go to Prison - Coalman who kept employer's money." The article stated,
"An ex-Sergeant Major, now a coalman heard his former employer tell Wood Green magistrates on Friday that "if he left the beer alone he would be alright." In the dock was Thomas Henry Lilllis (42) of Friern Barnet Road, New Southgate, who pleaded guilty to four charges of embezzling a total of £6.15 belonging to his employer, Arthur Bonus, coal merchant, Wellington Road, Enfield.
A detective said that Illis made deliveries of coal in Winchmore Hill, for which he was paid money on behalf of his employer. He failed to pay the money in. He had one previous conviction for the same sort of offence with the same employer in 1947. He was bound over for a year and ordered to pay £23, which he did. In January 1928 Illis joined the Highland Light Infantry and by the time he left in 1946 he had become a sergeant-major,"
Illis died on 11 July 1985 - his WWII medals, claimed by his daughter, were sent to her on 18 March 1992.
Medals are in good condition unless otherwise indicated. Sold with some research.
