Military History

Thomas is listed as being killed in action on 29 Aug 1916. The brief 15th Battalion war diary entries for the 28th, 29th and 30th August are transcribed below.

N of Maurepas - 28/8/1916: Trench life difficult owing to the heavy showers and the impossibilty of getting up hot food or cooking. Men in good spirits. Operations for the 29th suddenly postponed.

1R/W Kents on our left failed to get in touch and our left flank consequently in the air. Arranged for another Bde M.G to strenghten this tonight. As soon as dark pushed on with new trench linked up some strong points and dug communications trench back to old front line.

Tried to get in touch with left Battn but failed after several attempts. Several patrols out in front studying wire etc. in front of Falfemont Farm. Shelling severe evidently spotted our new front line.

Casualties 2/Lt E.B. Fox wounded. Killed 6 O.R, Wounded 26 O.R, Missing 1 O.R

N of Maurepas - 29/8/1916: Very heavy rain in the afternoon and a severe bombardment with heavy artillery of our line. The wet combined with shell fire caused trenches to collapse badly then held on well. C Coy badly knocked about.

B.G.C. complemented Battn on the work done in construction of a new line. Battalion relieved at night by 2/K.O.S.B. Difficult relief owing to wet and a very dark night not complete until 3.3am [30th]. Men very tired & somewhat worn after the strain of shell fire for 3 days.

Casualties:- Capt F. Dobson wounded. Killed 14 OR; Wounded 26 OR; Missing 1 OR; Shell shock 3 OR.

Casement Trench - 30/8/1916: Battn returned to Casement Trench on the Maricourt-Briqueterie Road. Very wet all day and conditions very miserable. Bttn slept in spite of it. Received word that Capt R.I. Gough had been awarded the DSO.

Casualties:- Killed 6 OR; wounded 26 OR; Shell Shock 2 OR.