Cpl Thomas was born in the Parish of Thicket, Near the Town of Wantage, County Berkshire in 1895. His occupation was given as “Farmer.”

He joined the Berkshire Yeomanry prior to WWI in 1914 having bought himself out of the Royal Horse Artillery on the 3^rd of March 1914.

Gallipoli

Mobilised in August 1914 the Berkshire Yeomanry trained at Churn on the Berkshire Downs for three months and then proceeded to the East Coast to guard against a possible German invasion. In April 1915 the Regiment sailed for Egypt and from there a few months later they were shipped, this time without their horses, to the Gallipoli peninsular where, against the Turks, they first saw action. While with the regiment he served with the transport section. He should have stayed back at base when the regiment went to Gallipoli but seems to have lobbied to be included in the force.

 

 

 

As an aside, in a bloody battle on August 21, 1915, Private Fred Potts earned the first yeomanry VC for ‘most conspicuous bravery in rescuing a comrade under heavy fire’. After three months in the trenches, the Regiment was withdrawn, their strength reduced by casualties and sickness to a mere 50 men.

 

 

 

 

During the fighting Cpl. Thomas followed his commander, Major Edward Sinclair Gooch, into Turkish trenches and after savage fighting he guided the wounded Major to safety. The Major died of wounds in September 1915 at Suvla Bay. Thomas was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his actions.

The original citation which was submitted by the regiment was abbreviated by the London Gazette. The following is the original –

For gallantry in defending Major E.S. Gooch when during an attack on Hill 70, when the latter was surrounded in a Turkish Trench. In defending Major Gooch he killed two Turks who were attacking the latter. L/C Thomas was himself wounded through the lungs, but in spite of his wound, he assisted Major Gooch back to the Dressing Station, over a mile to the rear. Major Gooch before he died on 21st September 1915 expressed an official wish that this man’s gallantry & devotion should be recognised.

From the L. Thomas collection of the Berkshire Yeomanry Museum:-

Much satisfaction will be felt in the ranks of the Berkshire Yeomanry the DCM had been conferred on Corporal L Thomas of Thicket Farm, Wantage, for the gallant young corporal displayed great bravery in defending Major Gooch on the occasion of the historic attack on Hill 70.

Major Gooch led “A” Squadron up Hill 70 and on entering the Turkish trenches, was confronted by three Turks. He grasped the middle one by the throat and shouted. Corporal Thomas rushed up and bayoneted one and Lieutenant Blyde shot the third. Corporal Thomas’s brave action undoubtedly was largely instrumental in saving major Gooch from being instantly killed, though unfortunately he subsequently died of his wounds in the head. In the severe fighting which followed Corporal Thomas received a shrapnel wound, the missile entering the shoulder and down through the lung. Coming to he found himself lying on dead Turks, and with a useless arm and hardly able to breathe. He crawled out the trench and lost his bearings. In the dim light he could see a little distance off the figure of an officer, and catching it up, he found to his delight it was Major Gooch, and he had the happiness of holding him up and rendering him all the assistance in his power till further help was forthcoming. Corporal Thomas was reported missing at first, and was given up for lost by his comrades, but happily he was picked up. He was for a time in the Military Hospital, Endall Street, Covent Garden, and is now resting near Faringdon. The piece of shrapnel has settled close to the heart, and cannot be moved at present. With his comrades Corporal Thomas was greatly grieved at the death of Major Gooch, who was regarded as the ideal soldier and gentleman.

Egypt

Returning to Egypt and brought up to strength, the Regiment campaigned during the spring of 1916 in the Western Desert. In 1917 the Berkshire Yeomanry joined the British advance on Jerusalem.

After two unsuccessful battles in March and April to evict the Turkish Army from Gaza, the British forces were reorganised under their new commander General Allenby and the third Battle of Gaza was a notable success culminating in the capture of Jerusalem in December 1917. During this campaign the Berkshire Yeomanry were involved in two successful cavalry charges against the Turks.

France

In April 1918 the Regiment was amalgamated into 101 (Bucks & Berks Yeomanry) Battalion, Machine Gun Corps. They reached France in July and saw action in support of 51st Highland Division and in the final battles in Belgium in the Second Army.

Later Life

In 1953 Cpl Thomas was awarded the Queen’s Coronation medal –

Obituary

This obituary was written by Bert Brooks – C Squadron Representative of the Berks Yeo OCA

Tommy as he was affectionately known was an outstanding soldier in every respect. He carried out his duties in an exemplary manner, and was spotless in his uniform and equipment whenever possible. In Gallipoli he showed great courage and determination in the face of the enemy. Although most severely wounded at point blank range in a bayonet charge (he carried the bullet to his grave), he got Major Gooch, who was blinded in both eyes, back to an advance dressing station, for which gallant action he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. I am proud to have served with this splendid “Yeoman of England.”

Corporal Thomas died in 1958.

Stuart Bates

August 2018

Victoria, Australia

Sources

Rather than list sources I would like to express my appreciation to Capt. Andrew French (Berkshire Yeomanry Museum), Dr Hugh Pihlens (Hungerford Virtual Museum) and Katie Amos (Reading Borough Libraries) for supplying such superb information.