PROMISING SOLDIERS DEATH
POPULAR CONNECTION WITH ST.AIDAN´S, SMALL HEATH
Great and sincere sympathy has gone to Mr & Mrs Thomas, Oakley Road,
Small Heath in the loss of their son, Rifleman Reginald Thomas,
8th Battalion Rifle Brigade, who died from wounds received in France on October 1.
Thomas was well known and popular in Small Heath, particularly by reason of his
connection with St Aidan´s Church and the Vicar (the Rev. C.N.Long) has conveyed
his deep condolence personally to his parents. For years Thomas performed active
and useful work with the S. Aiden´s Company of the Church Lads´ Brigade, and incidentally
secured for himself a valuable training. He stuck to the Brigade until the age limit
caused him to resign. He was also one of the most reliable players in the
S. Aidan´s Football Club for a long period. He came of a true Welsh family,
and was a familiar figure in the Cwmdaud district, Carmarthenshire,
where his grand parents and other relatives reside. When the war broke out he was
engaged in factory work, but enlisted a few weeks later. He was 22 years of age.
Writing to his mother, Second Lieutenant H.R. Adiar, 8th Battalion Rifle Brigade said:
¨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 and he died very quietly.
He is going to be buried this evening in a small cemetery behind the railway road,
and a cross will be put up over the grave. I who write am his platoon commander,
and I knew him very well when he and I were in the 15th Battalion Rifle Brigade
some few weeks ago. All the men in the platoon deeply sympathise with you in your
great loss.¨
Thomas´s last letter home, pathetic enough under the circumstances said:
¨I had rather a surprise the other day. The Chaplain was asking for me and I could not
think how he had got my name : but he told me afterwards that Mr Long
(the Vicar of S, Aidan´s) has written to him asking him to look me up.
Next time we go to rest camp I have to go and have a chat with him.
I am not sorry in a way as he might prove a friend to me if I out here,
but they say out here that your pal is your greatest enemy, as you try to look after
him and trouble yourself. I have lost all the fellows I was with.¨
A few days ago the sad news reached Cwmdaud of the death in hospital of Reggie Thomas of Birmingham as the result of wounds received on the battlefields in France. He was well known in the district of Cwmdaud being the grandson of Mr and Mrs Thomas, Ty´rshyme, and was a frequent visitor to his grandparents and other relatives in the neighbourhood. Previous to enlisting he resided with his parents at Birmingham where he worked in a factory making good progress and been greatly respected by all his companions. He joined the Army at the beginning of he war. A fter he passed away his beloved parents received the following letter:- ¨Dear Mr and 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 and he died very quietly. He is going to be buried this evening in a small cemetery behind the railway wood, and a cross will be put up over his grave. All the men in the platoon deeply sympathise with you in your great loss. I remain, yours truly, H.R. Adan, 8th Battalion Rifle Brigade.¨ Reggie was only 22 years of age. It is very pleasing to know that he was treated and had a decent burial in a strange land. He was a very bright and steady young man, always cheerful and obedient. He was of a religious disposition, and was a faithful Churchman. His departure is keenly felt by his parents and grand-parents and other relatives and also by the scores of friends. Cwmdaud people will greatly miss his genial face. Much sympathy has been expressed from various quarters with his relatives who may find consolation in the fact that their dear son proved himself a hero in defending his King and country.