Born in 1896 at Woodford, youngest son of Ernest William (Steamship Company Cashier) and Helen Maude Roper. His mother died in 1905. 1911: A Scholar living with his father, family, and aunt Ellen at Stafford Lodge 59 Chelmsford Road, South Woodford. This was the address given in his Will. An Old Bancroftian.
In December 1913 he became an apprentice in the Security Department of the National Provincial Bank Head Office in Bishopsgate. He tried to enlist at the start of the war but was rejected as being too young. He was accepted for service in November 1915, and had been in France since 25th January 1917. His marksmanship was good enough for him to be considered sniper material.
The Battle of Bullecourt had begun on 11th April 1917, and by mid-May was drawing to a close. On 16th May Thomas and three other men were sent in front of their unit at Bullecourt to confirm whether a ruined area was clear of Germans. As they approached to within 150 yards the question was answered; two were shot dead instantly, and as Roper ran back with his remaining colleague he was fatally shot in the neck. The fourth Rifleman made it safely back to the Battalion.
Although Thomas was recovered and buried, his grave became lost during later fighting, and so he is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.
Research by Adrian Lee, Local Historian
Sources:
Ancestry.com
FindmyPast.co.uk
Woodford Times
The Bancroftian
For more information on this individual please see The Old Bancroftian website.