Thomas is listed as dying of wounds in the field on 26 Oct 1917. The 15th Battalion war diary entries for the period 25th to 27th October 1917 are transcribed below:
25 Oct 1917 - Bedford House
Bedford House – 25/10/1917 – 6pm: Companies commenced moving to their assembly areas. C Coy in front of A Coy in intermediate rear with D Coy is close support and B in reserve. Companies being close up as near to one another as possible.
7pm: Zero hour fixed at 5.40am the 26th inst. Watches synchronized.
Casualties Other ranks Killed 5 and wounded 17.
26 Oct 1917 - Bedford House
In Action – Bedford House – 26/10/1917 -12.30am: All companies report in assembly area. Watches re-synchronized.
The attack carried out with Companies in waves in depth on a one platoon front – C Coy leading A Coy in immediate rear of C and D Coy in immediate rear of A. B Coy in reserve.
The front of C Coy is to remain unchanged. The ground on the left between C Coy and the Reutelbeek is boggy and impassable but as far as the ground permits A Coy on a one Platoon front are to come up as soon as possible on the left of C and make good a portion of the objectives.
At Zero all Companies got well away and casualties were few until C Coy reached the clearing to the north of the Chateau [see map] where machine gun fire was encountered from the Chateau causing considerable casualties including all C Coy’s officers.
The Chateau, the objective of 14 / R War R, offered considerable resistance. D Coy cooperated with 14 / R War R and with the aid of a Lewis Gun team and a Bombing Party from B Company succeeded in capturing the Chateau and the advance continued to the Blue objective whicvh was reached according to programme and A C & D Coys commenced to consolidate with B Coy in close support.
About 8am the enemy were seen massing for a counter attack and at 8.15am the counter attack was easily repulsed by Machine Gun, Lewis Gun and Rifle fire. At 10am the enemy massed again and continued to advance.
10.30am: Communication or connection with our right could not be established. The dispositions as far as possible with Lewis Guns guarding our right flank were made but by 10.45am the position became critical owing to the enemy advancing and encircling our right flank and to the fact that owing to the conditions of mud all Lewis Guns and Brigade Machine Guns and all but very few rifles had become out of action. Casualties became heavy and a withdrawal was endeavored, engaging the enemy and our original front line was successfully reached.
Supports consisted of about 30 men from 2/KOSB called for came up about 12.30pm. Shelling was very intense and the conditions indescribable, men sinking waist deep in the going.
27 Oct 1917 - Bedford House
Bedford House - 27/10/1917 – 1.25am: 15 / R War R relieved by 1/Bedfordshire Regt in the front line and 15/R War R withdraw to Bedford House. Resting at Bedford House.
Casualties:
Officers: Wounded 6, Wounded and missing 1
Other Ranks: Killed 31, Wounded 113, Wounded and Missing 1, Missing 47
