Military History

Thomas is listed as being killed in action on 14 Apr 1918 during the Defence of Hinges Ridge. The Battalion war diary indicates that he was killed in fighting which took place on 13 Apr 1918 and into the early hours of 14 Apr 1916 and the entries for those days are transcribed below.

Calonne 13th 5am: Our Artillery opened a heavy bombardment on the enemys lines.

9am: Situation normal on our front and on right and left flanks

11am: Another prisoner belonging to the 29^th Inf Regt, 16^th Inf Div captured by our centre Coy in the road about Q.8.d arrived.

1:35pm: Enemy worked his way up and established himself at Q.8.c.8.0 and then north to Q.8.d.9.9. Artillery put down barrage from Q.8.c.8.0 to Q.8.d.3.6. Our line now held ran from Q.14.a.5.0 – Q.8.c.1.0 – Q.8.a.3.0 then north to the bend of River.

2:50pm: Enemy M.G’s increased activity, but situation good our troops back in their own line and houses reoccupied. Artillery kept firing on our barrage lines and on village. Enemy opened fire barrage on Battn HQ.

Battalion relieved by 2/6th Bn R War Regt and 25 Entrench Bn. Relief proceeded very slowly owing to exceedingly black night and platoons got lost in the darkness. On relief Battn (less X Coy) proceeded to Hamet Billet and X Coy remained at Les Amusoires in the reserve to 182^nd Composite Battn.

Calonne 14th 6:30am: Battn arrived at Hamet Billet. Men breakfasted and rested.

Battalion Strength Officers 16 Ranks 536.

Casualties covering period from 11.4.1918 to 14-4-1918 Officers 3 killed (not named here), 1 Died of Wounds, 3 Wounded Other ranks Killed 28, Wounded 146, Missing 61 – total 235.