25th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps.

Awarded the M.M. in the London Gazette of 21 October 1918.

Awarded the French Croix de Guerre in the London Gazette of 29 November 1918.

Awarded the French Medaille d'Honneur avec bronze Glaives in the London Gazette of 28 January 1919.

Thackray was a native of Burnley, Lancashire.

The Burnley Express of 7 August 1918 reported, KEPT ENEMY AT BAY. Burnley Miner Wins Medal. Burnley miners will be pleased to learn with satisfaction that another comrade has distinguished himself in the field of battle. L/Corporal Herbert Thackray, No. 73403, of the Machine Gun Corps has been awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field. On 24 June 1918, when under heavy shell fire, and within 25 yards of the enemy, he kept them at bay, and for four hours kept up an open fire on the enemy, eventually saving the position as well as his gun.

L/Corporal Thackray, whose home is at 12, Snowden Street, Burnley, joined the colours at Nelson on the 16 September 1914, and received his training on Salisbury Plain, being drafted to France in June the following year. He has twice been wounded, the last time at Vimy Ridge in September of last year. He returned to France on the 22 April last, since which he has witnessed much fighting. L/Corporal Thrackray was formerly a miner at Barden Pit. Another brother, Gunner Edwin Thackray, is in hospital at Norwich suffering from gas poisoning.

Photo by kind permission of Burnley Borough Council and Mike Townend of Towneley Hall, Burnley.