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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox military person
{{Infobox military person
|name=Thomas William Gould
|name= Thomas William Gould
|image=
|birth_date=28 December 1914
|image_size=
|death_date=6 December 2001
|alt=
⚫
|caption=
⚫
|nickname=
|birth_date= {{birth date|1914|12|28|df=yes}}
|birth_place= [[Dover]], [[Kent]]
|birth_place= [[Dover]], [[Kent]]
|death_date= {{death date and age|2001|12|06|1914|12|28|df=yes}}
|death_place= [[Peterborough]], [[Lincolnshire]]
|death_place= [[Peterborough]], [[Cambridgeshire]]
|placeofburial=
|placeofburial=
|image= VCThomasWilliamGould.jpg
⚫
|allegiance= United Kingdom
⚫
|caption=
|branch= [[Royal Navy]]
⚫
|nickname=
⚫
|serviceyears= 1933–1945
⚫
|allegiance={{UK}}
⚫
|rank= [[Petty Officer]]
⚫
|serviceyears=
|servicenumber=
⚫
|rank=[[Lieutenant]]
|branch={{navy|United Kingdom}}
|unit= {{HMS|Thrasher|N37|6}}
|commands=
|commands=
⚫
|battles= [[Second World War]]
|unit=[[HMS Thrasher (N37)|HM Submarine ''Thrasher'']]
⚫
|awards= [[Victoria Cross]]<br/>[[Mentioned in Despatches]]
⚫
|battles= [[World War II]]
|relations=
⚫
|awards= [[Victoria Cross]]
|laterwork=
|laterwork=
}}
}}
'''Thomas William Gould''' [[Victoria Cross|VC]] (28 December 1914 &ndash; 6 December 2001)<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/military-obituaries/naval-obituaries/1364554/Tommy-Gould-VC.html |title=Tommy Gould VC|date=7 December 2001 |publisher=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |accessdate=11 December 2011 |location=London}}</ref> was an [[England|English]] recipient of the [[Victoria Cross]], the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to [[United Kingdom|British]] and [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] forces.
'''Thomas William Gould''', [[Victoria Cross|VC]] (28 December 1914 – 6 December 2001)<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/military-obituaries/naval-obituaries/1364554/Tommy-Gould-VC.html |title=Tommy Gould VC|date=7 December 2001 |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |accessdate=11 December 2011 |location=London}}</ref> was a [[Royal Navy]] sailor and a recipient of the [[Victoria Cross]], the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] forces. He was one of three Jewish recipients of the Victoria Cross in the Second World War.


==Second World War==
==Details==
[[File:Damage to the casing of HM Submarine THRASHER after two bombs struck her off Crete on the night of 15-16 February 1942. Neither exploded and both were removed by two members of the crew. A8710.jpg|thumb|right|Damage to the casing of {{HMS|Thrasher|N37|6}} after two bombs struck her off Crete on the night of 15/16 February 1942. A – where bomb penetrated the gun platform. A1 – the position where the bomb was discovered inside the casing. B – Position where the second unexploded bomb was discovered lying on the casing; the bomb is represented by the tin can. C – Gould stands in the casing-hatch through which bomb from A1 was dragged.]]
Gould was 27 years old, and a [[petty officer]] in the [[Royal Navy]] during the [[Second World War]] when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
Gould was 27 years old, and a [[petty officer]] in the [[Royal Navy]] during the [[Second World War]], when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the [[Victoria Cross]].


On 16 February 1942 north of Crete, in the Mediterranean, HM Submarine Thrasher, after attacking and sinking a supply ship, was itself attacked.Thrasher was subjected to a three hour depth charge attack and aerial bombing.
On 16 February 1942 north of Crete, in the Mediterranean, [[HMS Thrasher (N37)|HM Submarine ''Thrasher'']], after attacking and sinking a supply ship, was itself attacked. ''Thrasher'' was subjected to a three-hour [[depth charge]] attack and aerial bombing.


Later, after surfacing, two unexploded bombs were discovered in the gun-casing. Petty officer Gould and Lieutenant [[Peter Scawen Watkinson Roberts|Roberts]] removed the first one without too much difficulty, but the second bomb had penetrated the side plating of the gun emplacement, and then the deck casing above the pressure hull. Roberts and Gould entered the confined space (which was no more than 2&nbsp;ft high in places), and lying flat, wormed past deck supports, battery ventilators, and drop bollards. The petty officer then lay on his back with the 150&nbsp;lb bomb in his arms while the Williams dragged him along by the shoulders. "It was then a matter of the two of us, lying horizontally, pushing and pulling the bomb back through the casing. It was pitch black and the bomb was making this horrible ticking noise while the submarine was being buffeted by the waves".<ref name=express>{{cite news|last=Gould|first=Thomas William|title=Our brave heroes|newspaper=Daily Express|date=10 April 2001}}</ref> Meanwhile, Thrasher was surfaced, stationary, and close inshore to enemy waters. If the submarine was forced to crash dive, both men would drown. It was 50<ref name=express/> minutes before they got the bomb clear, wrapped it in sacking, and dropped it over the side.
When after dark the submarine surfaced, two [[unexploded bomb]]s were discovered in the gun-casing. Petty Officer Gould and Lieutenant [[Peter Scawen Watkinson Roberts]] volunteered to remove the bombs, which were of a type unknown to them. They removed the first one without too much difficulty, but the second bomb had penetrated the side plating of the gun emplacement, and then the deck casing above the pressure hull.


Roberts and Gould entered the confined space (which was no more than {{convert|2|ft|cm}} high in places), and lying flat, wormed past deck supports, battery ventilators, and drop bollards. The petty officer then lay on his back with the 150&nbsp;lb bomb in his arms while the lieutenant dragged him along by the shoulders. "It was then a matter of the two of us, lying horizontally, pushing and pulling the bomb back through the casing. It was pitch black and the bomb was making this horrible ticking noise while the submarine was being buffeted by the waves".<ref name=express>{{cite news|last=Gould|first=Thomas William|title=Our brave heroes|newspaper=Daily Express|date=10 April 2001}}</ref>
[[File:Damage to the casing of HM Submarine THRASHER after two bombs struck her off Crete on the night of 15-16 February 1942. Neither exploded and both were removed by two members of the crew. A8710.jpg|thumb|right|Gould standing in the casing-hatch on ''Thrasher'' after her return to harbour, showing the bomb damage.]]
They pushed and dragged the bomb for a distance of some {{convert|20|ft|m}} until it could be lowered over the side. Every time the bomb was moved there was a loud twanging noise as of a broken spring which added nothing to their peace of mind. ''Thrasher'' was surfaced, stationary, and close inshore to enemy waters. If the submarine was forced to [[crash dive]] while they were in the casing, they must have been drowned. It was 50<ref name=express/> minutes before they got the bomb clear, wrapped it in sacking, and dropped it over the side.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue= 35591|date=5 June 1942 |page=2548|supp=y}}</ref>

In August 1943 Gould received a [[Mention in Despatches]]<ref>{{London Gazette| issue = 36126| date = 6 August 1943| page = 3587| supp = y}}</ref> after the submarine [[HMS Truculent (P315)|''Truculent'']] sank [[German submarine U-308|''U-308'']] off the Faroes on 4 June 1943.


==Later life==
==Later life==
[[File:British medals of Tommy Gould (40501818441).jpg|thumb|Medals of Gould displayed in the [[Jewish Museum London]] (Victoria Cross left)]]
Tommy Gould went on to become one of the founders of the [[43 Group]], a group of Jewish ex-servicemen who fought the Fascists after World War II.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/last-reunion-for-war-heroes-who-came-home-to-fight-the-fascists-1628953.html | location=London | work=The Independent | title=Last reunion for war heroes who came home to fight the fascists - This Britain - UK - The Independent | date=22 February 2009}}</ref> His VC is held by The Association of Jewish Ex-Service Men and Women, at the Jewish Military Museum in Hendon.
Tommy Gould went on to become one of the founders of the [[43 Group]], a group of Jewish ex-servicemen who fought the Fascists after the Second World War.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/last-reunion-for-war-heroes-who-came-home-to-fight-the-fascists-1628953.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220507/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/last-reunion-for-war-heroes-who-came-home-to-fight-the-fascists-1628953.html |archive-date=7 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live | location=London | work=The Independent | title=Last reunion for war heroes who came home to fight the fascists – This Britain – UK – The Independent | date=22 February 2009}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

His VC was sold at [[Sotheby's]] for £44,000 in October 1987. His medals are held by the [[Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen and Women]], in the [[Jewish Museum London]] in Camden.

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book|last=Ingleton|first=Roy|title=Kent VCs|publisher=[[Pen and Sword Books]]|year=2011|isbn=978-1848844094}}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
*[[British VCs of World War 2]] (John Laffin, 1997)
*[[Monuments to Courage]] (David Harvey, 1999)
*[[The Register of the Victoria Cross]] (This England, 1997)
*Stephen Power, Brandon Smith, Ashley Atkinson
*Bravest of the Brave (John Glansfield, 2005)


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/theartofwar/valgal/valour/INF3_0445.htm Lieutenant P.S.W. Roberts & Petty Officer Gould] in ''The Art of War'' exhibition at the [[National Archives (UK)|UK National Archives]]
*[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/theartofwar/valgal/valour/INF3_0445.htm Lieutenant P.S.W. Roberts & Petty Officer Gould] in ''The Art of War'' exhibition at the [[National Archives (UK)|UK National Archives]]
*[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/military-obituaries/naval-obituaries/1364554/Tommy-Gould-VC.html Telegraph Orbituary]


{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME = Gould, Thomas William
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = Recipient of the Victoria Cross
| DATE OF BIRTH = 28 December 1914
| PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Dover]], [[Kent]]
| DATE OF DEATH = 6 December 2001
| PLACE OF DEATH = [[Peterborough]], [[Lincolnshire]]
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gould, Thomas William}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gould, Thomas William}}
[[Category:1914 births]]
[[Category:1914 births]]
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[[Category:Royal Navy submariners]]
[[Category:Royal Navy submariners]]
[[Category:English Jews]]
[[Category:English Jews]]
[[Category:Jewish War Veterans]]
[[Category:English anti-fascists]]
[[Category:Jewish anti-fascists]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Kent]]

Revision as of 17:32, 26 April 2024

Thomas William Gould
Born(1914-12-28)28 December 1914
Dover, Kent
Died6 December 2001(2001-12-06) (aged 86)
Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service / branchRoyal Navy
Years of service1933–1945
RankPetty Officer
UnitHMS Thrasher
Battles / warsSecond World War
AwardsVictoria Cross
Mentioned in Despatches

Thomas William Gould, VC (28 December 1914 – 6 December 2001)[1] was a Royal Navy sailor and a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He was one of three Jewish recipients of the Victoria Cross in the Second World War.

Second World War

Damage to the casing of HMS Thrasher after two bombs struck her off Crete on the night of 15/16 February 1942. A – where bomb penetrated the gun platform. A1 – the position where the bomb was discovered inside the casing. B – Position where the second unexploded bomb was discovered lying on the casing; the bomb is represented by the tin can. C – Gould stands in the casing-hatch through which bomb from A1 was dragged.

Gould was 27 years old, and a petty officer in the Royal Navy during the Second World War, when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

On 16 February 1942 north of Crete, in the Mediterranean, HM Submarine Thrasher, after attacking and sinking a supply ship, was itself attacked. Thrasher was subjected to a three-hour depth charge attack and aerial bombing.

When after dark the submarine surfaced, two unexploded bombs were discovered in the gun-casing. Petty Officer Gould and Lieutenant Peter Scawen Watkinson Roberts volunteered to remove the bombs, which were of a type unknown to them. They removed the first one without too much difficulty, but the second bomb had penetrated the side plating of the gun emplacement, and then the deck casing above the pressure hull.

Roberts and Gould entered the confined space (which was no more than 2 feet (61 cm) high in places), and lying flat, wormed past deck supports, battery ventilators, and drop bollards. The petty officer then lay on his back with the 150 lb bomb in his arms while the lieutenant dragged him along by the shoulders. "It was then a matter of the two of us, lying horizontally, pushing and pulling the bomb back through the casing. It was pitch black and the bomb was making this horrible ticking noise while the submarine was being buffeted by the waves".[2] They pushed and dragged the bomb for a distance of some 20 feet (6.1 m) until it could be lowered over the side. Every time the bomb was moved there was a loud twanging noise as of a broken spring which added nothing to their peace of mind. Thrasher was surfaced, stationary, and close inshore to enemy waters. If the submarine was forced to crash dive while they were in the casing, they must have been drowned. It was 50[2] minutes before they got the bomb clear, wrapped it in sacking, and dropped it over the side.[3]

In August 1943 Gould received a Mention in Despatches[4] after the submarine Truculent sank U-308 off the Faroes on 4 June 1943.

Later life

Medals of Gould displayed in the Jewish Museum London (Victoria Cross left)

Tommy Gould went on to become one of the founders of the 43 Group, a group of Jewish ex-servicemen who fought the Fascists after the Second World War.[5]

His VC was sold at Sotheby's for £44,000 in October 1987. His medals are held by the Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen and Women, in the Jewish Museum London in Camden.

Bibliography

  • Ingleton, Roy (2011). Kent VCs. Pen and Sword Books. ISBN 978-1848844094.

References

  1. ^ "Tommy Gould VC". The Daily Telegraph. London. 7 December 2001. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
  2. ^ a b Gould, Thomas William (10 April 2001). "Our brave heroes". Daily Express.
  3. ^ "No. 35591". The London Gazette (Supplement). 5 June 1942. p. 2548.
  4. ^ "No. 36126". The London Gazette (Supplement). 6 August 1943. p. 3587.
  5. ^ "Last reunion for war heroes who came home to fight the fascists – This Britain – UK – The Independent". The Independent. London. 22 February 2009. Archived from the original on 7 May 2022.
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