Thomas was born in Wigtown Scotland in approximately 1879. In 1881 aged two he was in the Pomona Palace Ground Caravan Park, Stretford Lancashire, with his widowed grandmother Hannah who was a Travelling Show woman.
He married Emma Vaughan at Portsea Parish Church, Portsmouth in 1901. In 1911 they were living at 31 Parkside, Chingford Lane, Woodford Green (Walthamstow). Thomas was a Coachman, and they had four children - Winifred, Lavinia, Ada and Thomas. Two others, George and Dorothy would follow.
The family was at 69 Parkside when Thomas, now a Chauffeur, enlisted at Woodford with the Army Service Corps on 11th December 1915, being called up to serve from 21st September 1916. On 20th January 1917 he was sent to France from Southampton on the SS Antrim with 139 Section Heavy Artillery Mechanical Transport. He disembarked at Le Havre on 22nd November 1917. His duties involved moving the larger artillery pieces with motor vehicles, and supplying ammunition by more conventional lorries.
After a period with 562 MT Company, in December 1917 he was serving with 565 MT Company, attached to VI Corps Heavy Artillery in their ammunition and transportation group. It was an attack by German aircraft which caused him to suffer multiple bomb wounds. He was taken to 49 Casualty Clearing Station where he died from his injuries.
His effects were returned to Emma, then living at 16 Elm Grove, Woodford Green.
Research by Adrian Lee, Local Historian
Sources:
Ancestry.com