Military History

Thomas is listed as being killed in action on 25th April 1918 near Cachy, Somme. He was originally reported as missing in action. The 2nd/4th Battalion war diary entries for the period 24th to 26th April 1918 are transcribed below.

Cachy area - 24 Apr 1918: Hostile barrage started about 4am of great intensity. About 6am the enemy attacked in great force but at first was repulsed with great loss. The use of tanks however forced our troops to fall back a short distance but not before our fire had caused immense casualties to his infantry.

His tanks again worked around to the rear of our position and a further withdrawal became necessary, the Bn eventually taking up a position in the Cachy Switch line just E of Cachy and continuing in a line of shell holes close to the Cachy-Hangard road. Bn HQ remained in Quarry E of Cachy.

Cachy area - 25 Apr 1918: Hostile shelling of this position very heavy especially of Bn HQ. During the night the Bn weas relieved by Moroccan troops proceeding on relief to open country NE of Boyes where it bivouacked for the night. Relief complete 12.50am on 26^th.

Casualties for 24^th and 25^th: Officers Killed 2/Lt Bocking;  Wounded Capt’s Askham & Hettler, 2/Lt’s Payne & Sheppard; Missing 2/Lt Mears, Geering, Cumner & Millar.

Other Ranks: Killed 23; Wounded 108 & Missing 203

Near Boyes - 26 Apr 1918: Bn moved by march route and bus to Le Plessiel. Transport by road. All the men settled in billets by 1am on 27^th.