William John Thomas was born circa 1882 in Penclawd Glamorgan.
William John Thomas is recorded on the 1911 census living at 14 Butler Street Shotton. The form tells us he was 29 years old and had been born in Penclawd, Glamorganshire. He was an ironworker. He had married Maggie 2 years earlier. She was 25 and originally from Morriston in Glamorganshire. They had a 1 month old baby son, Stanley Vinson who had been born in Shotton. There were 2 visitors, a Mrs Peregrine 49 born in Morriston, Glam and Idris Pergrine 13, born in Ammanford, Camarthenshire. It is likely that these visitors were Maggie’s mother and brother.
Margaret Peregrine and William John Thomas had married in 1909 in Llandilofawr Camarthanshire (Qtr March 1909 Vol 11a page 1506)
UK Soldiers who Died in the Great War 1914 -19 accessible on www.ancestry.co.uk confirms all the regimental details above and adds that he enlisted in Shotton. This source tells us that he ‘died’ (as opposed to being ‘Killed in Action’ or ‘died of wounds’)..
His medal card includes the rank Lance Corporal as well as Private but this does not appear anywhere else. It tells us that his first Theatre of War was The Balkans which he entered on the 28th June 1915 so he served in Gallipoli.
William John Thomas in the UK, Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 tells us that the sole Legatee was his widow Margaret who was paid £2. 2s 1d on the 30th January 1917 and his War Gratuity of £8. 10s 0d on the 17th September 1919. There was a recharge of £1. 2s 8d to the Regimental Paymaster on the 20th December 1916.
There is an index card for William John in the Flintshire Roll of Honour at the County Record office in Hawarden. the address is given as 14, Butler Street, Shotton. His period of Service was from 29th August 1914 to 11th July 1916. The card was signed by his Brother, David George Thomas.
His Commonwealth War Graves Commission Certificate tells us his father was John Thomas of Ammanford. and that Maggie’s address after the war was 32 New Road Ammanford.
William John Thomas is also remembered on the Memorial Screen at St. Ethelwolds Church, Shotton..
In the County Herald dated 8th September 1916 (Page 2) among the list of Casualties of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers was (Died) Thomas, W. 12691 (Shotton).
Any help would be appreciated.