Thomas was born in 1894, in Nannerch, Flintshire. The son of John – a platelayer on the railway from Llanfihangel Creuddyn, Cardiganshire, and Mary, from Waen, Denbighshire.

In 1901 Thomas was living at 7 Mill Terrace, Rhydymwyn, with his parents, and brothers Robert, John Lloyd, Samuel and Morgan James.

In 1904 John and Mary had another baby – Howell, and in December 1905, Mary died, aged 37, and was buried at Rhydymwyn, leaving John a widower with six sons aged 13, 12, 11, 7, 5 and 1.

John remarried in 1910, to Elizabeth Roberts, and in 1911 they were living at Hawthorn Cottage, Bro Alun, Mold, with Thomas’ youngest brothers – Morgan and Howell. At this time Thomas was 17 and was boarding with the Newnes family at Rose Cottage, Kinnerton, Flintshire. His occupation was an ‘Engine Cleaner’.

Thomas enlisted at Chester, and served with the Cheshire Regiment. His Medal Index Card stated that he served in France & Flanders, date of entry 15 Feb 1915. Just over a month later, on 18 March 1915, he died of wounds, aged 21.

Additional information alongside his casualty details on CWGC.org state that he was the son of John and Mary Jones, of 11 Conway Street, Mold. This can be viewed here.

Thomas is also commemorated on the Mold Memorial.

Sources:
-Censuses:
–1901: Class: RG13; Piece: 5213; Folio: 17; Page: 8
–1911: Class: RG14; Piece: 33964; Schedule Number: 77

-Casualty details available from cwgc.org
-MIC and SDGW available from Ancestry.co.uk or Findmypast.co.uk
-Parish marriage, baptism and burial records available at Flintshire Records Office, Hawarden, or original images are available to view at Findmypast.co.uk
-Many record indexes can be found for free at freebmd.org.uk or familysearch.org