Universities at War

Thomas was born in 1890 to Reuben, a butcher, and Jane (nee Sayer) previously of 13 Market Place, Barnard Castle. He was educated at the Church school before winning a scholarship to the Northern Eastern County School (now Barnard Castle School) from 1902 - 1908. In 1908 he enrolled at Armstrong College, holding an Entrance Scholarship in addition to the School Founders Leaving Exhibition. He received a BSc degree (with Distinction) in Physics in June 1911.

When war broke out he was Science Master at The Grammar School, Earls Colne in Sussex. He married Miss H. M. Steward, of Earl’s Colne on 8th July 1916 before leaving to serve in France. Thomas enlisted in the Public Schools Battalion as a Private in September 1914, and was gazetted Second Lieutenant on 10th December 1914 in the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. He obtained his Captaincy in February 1916 and left for France on 13th July 1916.

Whilst leading his Company in an attack on 25th September 1916, Thomas was struck by a shell and killed instantly, aged 26. His Colonel wrote in a letter "He was one of the best Officers I have ever known in my twenty years' experience in the Army".