"During the battle for the Essel bridgehead on April 11th 1945, No. 3 Commando was heavily counter-attacked.
Tpr. Thomas was in a forward exposed position and fifteen enemy were within fifty yards of his slit trench. He was wounded in the shoulder and a NCO beside him in the slit trench, was killed at the beginning of the action. In spite of these handicaps he continued to fire his Bren gun over a period of one and half hours with such effect that the attack was held up and then beaten off. Tpr. Thomas accounted for four enemy killed and six more wounded. His complete coolness in the face of heavy enemy opposition was an inspiration to all."