Additional Information
Thomas arrived in France on the 04/01/1915 and the Battalion arrived at Le Havre on the 19/12/1914 and were part of the 82nd Brigade, 27th Division when Thomas fell during the Battles of Ypres (2nd Ypres). The Battalion fought in the Battle of Grafenstafel, 22rd - 23rd April 1915, the Battle of St. Julien, 24th April - 4th May 1915, Battle of Frezenberg Ridge, 8th - 13th May 1915. All were part of the Battles of Ypres (2nd Ypres), 22nd April - 25th May 1915 : Often known as the Second Battle of Ypres, this began with surprise German attack using poison gas against French North African forces holding defences near Ypres. Both sides rushed reserves in, and the battle developed into the second epic in that area. British Second Army withdraws to a shorter line near Ypres. Thomas was shot through the brain trying to help a wounded comrade near Bellewaarde Farm, Hooge. During the Battles of Ypres the Germans shelled the 27th and 28th Divisions off the untenable ridge. V Corps lost 456 Officers and 8,935 other ranks during this Battle. The 2nd Battalion casualties for the month of May were - 2 Officers Killed, 4 Officers Wounded, 192 Other Ranks Killed or Wounded. SEE PHOTOS x 28 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY FROM THE 1st MAY UNTIL THOMAS FELL. Thomas previously served in India for several years. I personally laid a Poppy Cross at Thomas' grave in 2010 (see main grave photo and 2 additional photos). The Reburial photo seems to state Thomas was reburied within the Cemetery. ENCLOSURE No. 4 where Thomas lies is the largest and was used from June 1916 to February 1918, largely by the 47th (London) Division, and after the Armistice it was enlarged when 3,324 graves were brought in from other burial grounds and from the Battlefields of the Ypres Salient. Almost two-thirds of the graves are unidentified. Bedford House, sometimes known as Woodcote House, were the names given by the Army to the Chateau Rosendal, a country house in a small wooded park with moats. Although it never fell into German hands, the house and the trees were gradually destroyed by shell fire. It was used by Field Ambulances and as the Headquarters of Brigades and other fighting units. In all, 5,139 Commonwealth servicemen of the First World War are buried or commemorated in the enclosures of Bedford House Cemetery. 3,011 of the burials are unidentified but special memorials commemorate a number of casualties known or believed to be buried among them. Other special memorials name casualties buried in other Cemeteries whose graves could not be found on concentration. Second World War burials number 69 (three of which are unidentified). There are 2 Germans buried here. Thomas is also remembered on the Maxwell Church Roll of Honour (see photo). See photos for Thomas' Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clippings x 2 (including letter from Sergeant T. Kingsley), his name on the Ireland Casualties WW1, the Larne War Memorial, Thomas' name on the Larne War Memorial, his Reburial Form, Bedford House Cemetery, the Royal Irish Fusiliers Cap Badge, an aerial view of Bedford House Cemetery, another photo of Thomas' grave, his Headstone Report, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls and his CWGC Grave Registration x 2. Finally, see photos x 12 for the 27th Division Order of Battle (the Division he was with when he died) and photos x 6 from the Larne War Memorial. I personally placed a Poppy there remembering Thomas and Sapper William Donald (see Directory). When I arrived I seen the Memorial was being well looked after by this wee West Highland Terrier.
