Military History

Thomas is listed as being killed in action on 9 May 1915. The following description of the Battle of Aubers Ridge is kind courtesy of The Worcestershire Regiment website.

Aubers Ridge (9th May 1915)

Midday passed and the German gun-fire rose to intensity. Meanwhile preparations had been made for another attack and at 12.50 p.m. Lieut.-Colonel Grogan received orders that at 1.30 p.m. his Battalion, supported by the Foresters, should assault the German lines.

Colonel Grogan made such preparations as were possible to carry out his orders. At the same time he reported that he considered it impossible for the assault to succeed. The intermixture and confusion of battalions prevented any concerted and sudden advance over the parapet and the enemy's defence was only too clearly unbroken. As he wrote down that report the British artillery again opened fire and once again our own shells struck around our own trenches, inflicting heavy loss and ruining the last hopes of launching a successful attack. Ten minutes later (at 1.15 p.m.) the enemy's artillery, as if forewarned of the plan, redoubled their fire, especially from the left flank, where the attack of the 25th Brigade had similarly failed. After considering the situation Colonel Grogan took upon himself the responsibility of countermanding the assault: an action which higher authority subsequently approved. Later in the afternoon the East Lancashire, partially reorganised, were moved along the front-line breastworks towards the orchard, whence the 2nd Northamptonshire had attacked gallantly but had been virtually annihilated. It then became possible for the Worcestershire at last to reach the front breastworks.

Throughout the afternoon the situation remained unchanged. The stretch of open ground in rear made it impossible to withdraw the troops from the forward trenches, and they remained crowded amid the dead and wounded under a continuous bombardment - C.G. 24th Brigade Diary.—"At intervals during the afternoon, reports were received, from our infantry and artillery observing officers as well, that our shells were dropping short. Re-organisation of battalions took place as far as was possible under the continuous shell-fire."

At last darkness came on and the remnants of the 24th Brigade were withdrawn, except the 1st Worcestershire, which alone of the four battalions remained in good order. The Battalion was left to hold the defensive line and all night long worked hard, rebuilding the battered parapets and succouring the wounded who crowded the trenches. The attack, so boldly planned, had completely failed.

The cause of the failure had been underestimation of the strength of the German defensive line (profiting by the lesson of Neuve Chapelle, the Germans had greatly strengthened their parapets, and their defensive wire. Throughout the day their rifle and machine-gun fire was never quenched) and of the weight of artillery fire necessary to breach it. The result was an appalling casualty roll. The four battalions of the 24th Brigade lost more than 1,600 officers and men : the losses of the 1st Worcestershire were over 200 -- One officer (Captain R. J. Ford) and 31 other ranks killed. Four officers (Lieut. R. C. Wynter, 2/Lieuts. L. Garratt, C. B. Phillips and A. F. Birch-Jones) and 185 other ranks wounded, 8 reported missing.

During the ensuing twenty-four hours the 1st Worcestershire remained in the front line under, continuous shell-fire, labouring to repair the defences.

In front of the parapets the open ground was thickly strewn with dead and wounded of the East Lancashire and Sherwood Foresters. The wounded were in desperate plight, for the heavy firing which continued until nightfall on May 9th made it impossible for any help to reach them, and even after dark the work of the rescue parties was difficult. The enemy were on the alert against any renewal of the attack and bursts of fire continued intermittently throughout the hours of darkness. Many of the wounded were brought in before dawn but the daylight of May 10th showed many more still lying out between the trenches, signalling pitifully for help. Volunteers made their way out from the trenches and dragged back such as they could reach. Corporal E. Frazier and Private J. Williams showed the utmost bravery, going out again and again into the open under heavy fire. Between them they brought eleven wounded men into safety. Later in the day Corporal Frazier and Private Williams worked forward again across the open to reconnoitre an abandoned saphead into which they thought some wounded might have made their way. They found the saphead packed with wounded, who had dragged themselves there for safety. With the aid of Lance-Corporal H. Johnston and others they succeeded in getting back into safety no fewer than 80 disabled men (Pte. Williams were awarded the D.C.M. and Corpl. Frazier a bar to his D.C.M.).

After dark on 11th May 1915 the 1st Worcestershire were relieved by the Scottish Rifles and Middlesex of the 23rd Brigade, and withdrew from the trenches without further loss to rejoin the 24th Brigade in billets at Laventie.