GROUPS AND SINGLE DECORATIONS FOR GALLANTRY
Berlin, the Weimar Republic and the Third Reich
Thelwall served with the Foreign Office at the British Embassy in Berlin from 1919 to 1934, witnessing the fall of the Weimar Republic
and the rise of Hitler and the Nazi Party, until his untimely death following an operation aged only 49 years. His obituary in The Times
on 18 May 1934 records that:
‘The advance of the British troops to Cologne in 1918 again brought “Frankie” Thelwall – for thus he was called by all who knew him –
to the country for which he had a deep friendship and whose language he spoke so well, in which he had already spent several years of
his life, and in which he was destined to end it. At first attached to the British Military Mission under General Malcolm, he was in 1919
appointed, pending the resumption of diplomatic relations, senior Commercial Commissioner in Germany, and after their resumption
Commercial Secretary at the British Embassy in Berlin. In 1928 he was promoted to the rank of Commercial Counsellor, and in 1932
received the C.M.G.
These are the dry facts of Thelwall’s career. The man himself was an outstanding figure of kindliness, shrewd judgement, and humour
amongst the shifting scenes of post-war Berlin. He was known far beyond the limits of the Diplomatic Service – he was, indeed, known
throughout the world from his annual reports on economic conditions in Germany. The “Thelwall Report” was a publication for which
all students of Germany eagerly awaited. He had an extraordinary knowledge of the German economic system and German trade.
German ministers and private citizens who were qualified to judge were often heard to say that these reports gave a more accurate and
interesting picture of German conditions than any publication they knew, and it was often to be seen on their desks. He prepared
almost the whole of his reports himself. He had from his long residence in Germany a vast knowledge of the country, its people and
politics, and his judgment was a thing to be valued. Though an outstanding member of the Service to which he belonged there was no
arid aloofness about him, and he contrived to know and be esteemed by a far greater circle of men that is often the lot of diplomats. In
Berlin, where from his window overlooking the pleasant trees of the Tiergarten he had so long watched the incalculable German scene
with understanding and knowledge, his loss will be deeply mourned by Germans and British alike.’
The Times later published a series of tributes to Thelwall from the German newspapers, including those from the Deutsche Allgemeine
Zeitung and Berliner Tageblatt, the latter recording that ‘for many years it was his task to observe the economic and financial situation
of Germany, and at the same time to conduct negotiations about complicated economic issues between Germany and England. He did
great service to both countries by his objective and accurate judgment and preserved these qualities at moments when unexpected
political and economic developments in Germany upset the balance of judgment in others.’
The Nazis
Thelwall reported from Germany at a time when reparations, the collapse of the Mark, unemployment and the general economic
decline led to the rise of power of Hitler and the Third Reich. His last report, quoted extensively in the British and American
newspapers in 1933 as were all those from the preceding years, was sub-titled ‘Effects of Nazi Rule’. It contained some prophetic and
chilling words, Thelwall writing that ‘In considering the new regime in Germany it is necessary to bear in mind that it is primarily a
movement based on racial and party ideals and that its followers are prepared in certain respects to forgo economic and political
advantages for the sake of their principles. The standards of a democratic, individualistic, capitalistic state like the United Kingdom
cannot, therefore, be applied to it ... This organization of the State will be dominated by the National Socialist Party. The point that is
probably hardest for the outsider to understand is that if the tenets of this creed and economic necessities come into conflict, the former
take precedence over the latter.’
786
A post-war M.V.O. group of six awarded to Major L. J. Gost, a Clerk of the Board of Green Cloth Verge of the Palaces,
late Royal Artillery
THE ROYAL VICTORIAN ORDER, M.V.O., Member’s 4th Class breast badge, silver-gilt and enamel, the reverse officially
numbered ‘2845’, in its Collingwood, London fitted case of issue; 1939-45 STAR; AFRICA STAR; ITALY STAR; DEFENCE AND WAR
MEDALS, M.I.D. oakleaf, these last five in their original addressed card forwarding box to ‘Major L. J. Ghost, 17 Carlisle
Street, Soho Square, London W.1’, together with a related set of 1939-45 War dress miniature medals, generally
extremely fine (11) £300-350
Leonard John Gost (previously Ghost), who was originally commissioned in the Royal Artillery as a 2nd Lieutenant in April 1942, and
was mentioned in despatches ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Mediterranean theatre’ (London Gazette 23
May 1946 refers).
And his subsequent award of the M.V.O. was in respect of his services as Clerk to the Board of Green Cloth Verge of the Palaces. The
Board of the Green Cloth comprised officials of the Royal Household, among them the Lord Steward, Treasurer and Comptroller, and
took its name from the green baize that covered the table at which the members met. Among other duties the Board audited accounts
and made royal travel arrangements, but it was disbanded in 2004.
Sold with a quantity of original documentation, including the recipient’s M.I.D. certificate in the name of ‘Major (Temp.) L. J. Ghost,
Royal Artillery’, dated 23 May 1946, and Central Chancery letter of notification regarding the award of his M.V.O., dated 24 November
1983.
www.dnw.co.uk
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