Military History

Thomas is listed as being killed in action on 23 Jul 1916 and the war diary indicates that it would been overnight on 22/23rd. The War Diary entries for the 22nd & 23rd are transcribed below:

High Wood - 22.7.16.

10am: orders received that the battalion, as part of the 13^th infantry brigade would attack the enemy's trenches at 10:00 PM. Enemies trenches forming objective oh as shown under entry above. 14^th R War Rgt on the right to attack from the point where enemies line crosses road at point S.10.b8.9 two Road junction S£.11.c.5.8. 1/R West Kents prolonging the line to the left to right and enemies line above point S.4.d.6.4. 15/R War in Bde Reserve. 2/KSOB being detailed to attack another portion of enemies line to left rear of our objectives.

10pm: At 9.50pm the attacking Coys A on the right, B on the left, advanced from their trenches in two waves undercover of the artillery bombardment. At 9.55pm both waves were sing to extend from sections in file formation into line preparatory to lying down until the artillery lifted at 10:00pm. As the extension was in progress the enemy opened an overwhelming machine gun and infantry fire. Our troops were cut to bits and although supports were thrown in they received the same treatment and it soon became a question of organising our original frontline to meet a possible counterattack. This was successfully done.

From all reports received from survivors and judging from the intensity of the enemy's fire - opened before the bombardment had lifted it would appear that our artillery had not ranged accurately on the enemy's trenches. A full report of the attack is contained in appendix No 2.

The 1st West Kent Regt fair no better and later on the same remark applies to the 2/KOSB. The casualties sustained by the battalion in this action always follows:

Officers: Killed 3, Wounded 5, Missing believed killed 4, Missing believe wounded 2 and Wounded 2.
Other ranks: Killed 36; Missing 195, Wounded 238. Total 485. END

High Wood - 23.7.16: Work on consolidation of original position. Patrol work to recover dead & wounded. 12 midnight – Battn relieved by Bedford Regt. Proceeds to bivouac at Pommiers Redoubt in front of Mametz.