Reginald James Thomas was born in Cardiff, Glamorganshire in March 1893, son of David Thomas and Nellie Poole. His father David Thomas ran a Grocers shop in Donald Street, Roath, Cardiff.
Around 1908 David and Nellie Thomas moved to Small Heath, Birmingham where David Thomas ran his own Carting Agent business.
In the 1911 census Reginald's occupation was Filer Electroplater.
Reginald joined the Rifle Brigade on the 1st September 1914 at the Recruiting Office, Suffolk Street, Birmingham. He enlisted for 3 years Short Service (unless the war lasted longer than 3 years). Initialy he joined the 6th Battalion The Rifle Brigade and was posted to Winchester on the 4/9/1914.
His postings were:
The posting to Southend was to transfer to the newly formed 15th (Reserve) Battalion The Rifle Brigade. Several of the photo's were taken in Southend Photographic Studios.
The 8th Rifle Brigade suffered heavy losses in the Flamethrower attack at Hooge in July 1915 and Reginald joined 'D' Company 8th Rifle Brigade as part of the British Expeditionary Force. He embarked on the 3/8/1915 and joined the 8th Battalion on the 7/8/1915. The War Diary for the 7/8/15 notes "A draft of 150 arrived at HQ(transport)".
From the War Diary for this period the first few months of his time in Belgium were relative quiet with alot of time spend building defense around Ypres.
On the 22nd September the Battalion was bivouacked at A.28.d.9.9 North East of Poperinghe. On the 24th September 2/Lt Adair joined from the 14th Btn Rifle Brigade who was Reginald commanding officer. Then on the 25th September at 10am the Battalion was order to moved off to H.11.d.9.9 in Ypres. On the 28th September the Battalion moved from the Menin Gate to relieved the Durham Light Infantry opposite Bellewarde Farm. The DLI had been involved in very heavy fighting and losses on the 25th September as part of subsidiary attack to Loos. There was a heavy bombardment to the south at Hooge on the 30th September where some trenches where lost and gained. A map of the area on the 25th September is in the Maps section.
Reginald Thomas was wounded in the leg on the night of the 1st/2nd October when the Germans suddenly opened fire. The bullet cut his main artery and despite been taken to hosital he died of his wounds on the 2nd October 1915. He was buried in small cemetery behind Railway Woods latter that evening. The map coordinates for his grave were 28.I.11.b.15.45. which is located to the west of Railway Wood in the middle of the railway cutting which would have been disused.
The 8th Battation War Diary for the 1st/2nd October reads:
1/10/15 Trenches drying up. About 20 cases of feet due to the wet weather
, an intenesely painful ailment. Gumboots issued to the men and a ration of rum santioned.
2/10/15 Quiet day.
The 14th Division Diary for the 1st/2nd October reads:
1/10/15 A quiet day. Ypres was shelled between 5 p.m and 11 p.m.
Wind S.W.
Casulties, Officers, nil. Other ranks, 12.
2/10/15 Some hostile shelling on our front to which our batteries retailiated.
Enemy aeroplanes active.
Wind South.
Casulties, Officers, 1. Other ranks, 24.
His death was recorded in the Casulty Return on the 8th October 1915.
His Personal Effects were recorded in order to be returned to Nellie Thomas.
He was reburied at Poelkapelle British Cemetery at the end of the war.
There are two newspaper cuttings from the Birmingham News and the Carmarthen Journal in memory of Reginald Thomas.
The following is a letter sent by 2/Lieut H.R. Adair to Mrs Thomas informing her of her sons death:
Saturday October 2nd 1915
Dear Mrs Thomas
I am very sorry to have to tell you that your son died of wounds last night.
He was doing some night work at the time, when the Germans suddenly opened fire,
he was wounded in the leg but very unfortunately the bullet cut the main artery.
Everything possible was done to save him, his wound was dressed and he was taken
down to hospital. He did not seem to suffer any pain at all, he died very quietly.
He is going to be buried this evening in a small cemetry behind Railway Wood and
a Cross will be put up over his grave. I, who write, am his platoon comander and I
knew him very well when he and I were in the 15th Batt Rifle Brigade, some few weeks ago.
His personal effects have been handed over to the Medical Headquarters who will forward them in due course.
All the men in the platoon deeply sympathise with you in your great loss.
With kind regards
I remain yours truly
H R Adair 2/Lieut
8th Batt The Rifle Brigade
B.E.F.