Military History

Thomas is listed as being killed in action on 8th May 1915. He was originally buried at map reference 28.I.18.b.35.45 along with 6 other "unknown British Soldiers" of th KRRC and Suffolk Regiment. There remains were moved to Poelcapelle Cemetery sometime around Oct 1925, suggesting that the original graves had been lost. The map reference places the original burial just east of Hooge. Click here to plot the exact place.

The 4th Battalion war diary entry for the 8th May 1915 is transcribed below.

Bellewaarde Wood - 8 May 1915 – 5am: Heavy howitzers opened on the front trenches – these continued steadily until 7am when a furious combined bombardment of field guns and howitzers commenced. This heavy fire was maintained until almost 8am when fuses were lengthened.

8.5am: The bombardment slackened considerably. Communication by wire to the trenches had been out since 7.15am and almost immediately afterwards the Brigade line also went. The line to R B in support held until about 7.45am.

8.20am: The bombardment increased – specifically about the centre of Bellewaarde Wood where part of C Coy were on support & Battn HQ were situated.

8.30am: Heavy rifle fire opened on the front & left – the front line which had suffered very heavily during the bombardment was now reinforced. Lt’s Poole, Antrobus & Hodkinson taking up the remainder of C Coy, the whole Battalion was now in the front line, this party took up a supply of ammunition.

8.40am: Lt Poole returned with information that infantry attack did not appear to be on our front.

8.45am: German artillery reopened marking Bellewaarde Wood perfect inferno, shelling with every sort of shell. Three orderlies from R.B. arrived to ask if help required.

8.50am: These returned with request for one Company

9am: A lull in the artillery bombardment & a little rifle fire was opened but was heavier further north.

9.17am: A message received stated that enemy appeared to be massing in front of right of 20^th Division (i.e. left of 80^th Bde)

9.45am: Capt Dalby came in & reported that the Salient at Hill 50 had been shelled until the men holding it were annihilated & that the Germans had walking into it. Whilst explaining the situation Captain Dalby was wounded. This hill was a weak spot in the line and was the junction of ourselves and P.R.C.L.I.

10.15am: A company of 4^th R B arrived and moved up to the firing line to fill up the gaps.

10.20am: The situation so far as known. A & B Coys in front line right and centre respectively. D Coy almost annihilated but a few still left of front line. Extreme left on Hill 50 is still held by the enemy. A & B Coys had also been extremely severely punished.

One Coy of the R.B. was moving up to reinforce front line and another company was in support in Cavalry line just west of Bellewaarde Wood.

11am: All seemed quiet again

12.15pm: Communication with Brigade was established.

1.30pm: Shelling recommenced but not with its former vehemence.

2.45pm: Increased again and continued until 5pm. About dusk several small parties were reasonable? from different points of the Wood & returned to the firing line. So far as could be ascertained the Battalion has suffered about 300 casualties together with 3 officers killed and 3 wounded.