Military History

Thomas is listed as being killed in action on 18th Dec 1914. The 2nd Battalion War diary for both the 18th and 19th is transcribed below.

December 18th 1914 - The Bn was ordered to advance in 3 lines at 4.30 pm to attack and take the Germans Trenches which were in front of Le Maisnil. The attack was proceeded by a heavy artillery bombardment by our artillery to which the enemy made hardly any reply. Attack was started by "B" Company on the right led by Capt Haddon, advancing in 2 lines: A Co advanced on the left in 2 lines with D Coy in the centre. C Coy formed the third line with entrenching tools. A Machine Gun was on each flank. Immediately the attack opened, the enemy opened a very heavy rifle & machine gun fire. The Battalion advanced under this with steadiness, suffering very heavy casualties. The 2/Queens sent 1 1/2 companies in support & although our dead were found only a few yards from the German trenches, the attack failed in its objective.

What remained of the Bn subsequently retired into our trenches. Shortly After daylight the enemy came out & started examining our dead. Parties went out from our lines & buried some of the officers & collected discs from some of the killed. Owing to 2 officers of the Queens & several small parties of the Bn, when engaged in carrying our wounded into the enemy's lines, (the enemy refusing to allow us to remove our wounded) being made prisoners, & also owing to Lt Bover S.Staffords being killed while helping to collect our wounded, the informal armistice terminated. Lt Col Brewis was found killed about 40 yards from the enemys line. Capt. Brownfield, Lts. Monk, Tucker, Campbell & Birt (attached R.E) together with 34 men were found a few yards from a German Machine gun. From evidence available, it is apparent that Capt Brownfield though previously wounded continued to lead the attack on the Gun.

December 19th 1914: Capt I H G White took command of the Bn, 6 officers reported or returned for duty. Bn mustered in trenches 149 NCO’s & men. The 2/Queens who had come in as support the previous day remained to occupy 2/3rds of our line. The remained of the 2 R W R had retired by order after the action into reserve.

The Bn were relieved by 2/Wilts at 5pm and went into reserve at Cronballof?.

Casualties over the two days [Precis of diary entry]

Officer Casualties 6 killed; 2 wounded and 3 missing. Other Ranks casualties - 57 Killed, 87 wounded, 219 missing.