1308. Dvr. Thomas, Edgar

Driver

Date of Birth: 1895 (PENS), Morriston (CENS)
Occupation: Tin Plate Cacher (1911)
Employer: Worcester Tinplate Wks (NEWS)
Enlisted - Date: 19/4/1915
1908 Serv. No: 1308
1917 Serv. No: 725582
Demobilised: 2/5/1919
Awards: BWM. VIC. SWB.

Personal Details

WORKING NOTES

Born c1895, Moriston. Parents Evan & Mary Thomas

1901 - 125 Trewyddfa Rd, Morriston. 5yo. W parents (Dad-Rollerman, Tin Plate Wks).

1911 - 125 Graig, Morriston. 16yo. Occ - Tin Plate Cacher - Worcester Co Ltd. W parents.

1915 - Graig Rd, Morriston

1921 - 125 Graig Road, Morriston. 25y6m. Occ-Tinman, Worcester Tinplate Co, Out of Wk. W parents

1933 - Mother receiving dependant pension (dated 13/9/33), so likely died - Recd Q3 1933, Swansea, bn 1897

Address:
125 Graig
Morriston Swansea (Pens)

Military Service

No SR

Enl 19 Apr 1915

31/12/15 - 2/1st Welsh Hows, Graig Rd (Morriston ROH)

HWMR 5/10/18 - Official news has been received by Mr and Mrs Evans, 155 Graig-road, Morriston, that their son, Driver Edgar Thomas, RHA, has had his name placed on the roll of honour of the 15th Brigade, RHA, for an act of gallantry performed on the night of Sept 5-6 at Meuniers, near Armentieres. Driver Thomas is 23 years of age, and joined the colours in 1914. He has served eight months in France.

15 Bde War Diary - 5/9/18 - 11/9/18. During which period L Warwick Bty forward wagon line cam under a severe gas bombardment during the course of which Sgt Collingridge + 11 ORs of Warwick Bty displayed great gallantry in removing the Warwick horses. 40 of L Btys horses were severely gassed.

15 Bde Roll of Honour - The following names are entered in the Brigade Roll of Honour for act of gallantry performed on night of 5/6th September 1918 at MEUNIERS (Armerntiere). 1st/1st Warwick RHA - 725582 Dr Thomas E.

15 Bde Roll of Honour, MM citation to Sgt Collingridge & 2 others - On the night of 5/6th Sept 1915 when in action with the forward wagon lines of the battery near LE VEAU the enemy put down a concentrated gas bombardment in the area, many shells bursting in and amongst the forward horse lines. This Sergeant ably assisted by the NCO & diver managed in their gas masks to remove all 39 horses from the shelled area, and to have nosebags put on them filled with damp grass. In doing so they acted with great presence of mind and personal disregard of danger, as the shells were falling close enough to splash the animals with liquid. Their prompt action saved the horses from any serious consequences & was a fine example to the others in the lines.

WO Daily List - 9 Nov 1918, Wounded, NOK-Swansea. Dvr, RHA

Disch 2/5/1919. SWB. Final Unit - 15 Bde. Mil Pens - GSW Chest & GSW Neck & ??

1933 - Dependant pension (Mother - 84 Graig Rd). Died shortly post war

Discharged - Reason: Para 392 (XVI) KR. Wounds 392xvi.
Disabilities (Pens): GSW Chest, GSW Neck & ?
Final Unit: 15 Bde. (SWB)
Sources: (ROLL)(MIC)(SWB)(PENS)(NEWS)

Explanation Of Abbreviations

Awards

  • 14/15 – 1914/15 Star
  • BWM – British War Medal
  • VIC – Victory Medal
  • SWB – Silver War Badge
  • TFEM – Territorial Force (1908-1921)
  • TEM – Territorial Efficiency Medal (1921-1930)
  • TFWM – Territorial Force War Medal

Gallantry

  • MID – Mention In Dispatches
  • LG – London Gazette
  • MM – Military Medal
  • DCM – Distinguished Conduct Medal

Sources

  • ROLL – Medal Roll for British War Medal and Victory Medal (Ancestry.co.uk)
  • MIC – Medal Index Cards (Ancestry.co.uk)
  • SR – Service Record (Ancestry.co.uk)
  • SR-F – Service Record (FindMyPast.co.uk)
  • SR-NA – Service Record (National Archives) – officers
  • COMM – Commission letters (National Library of Wales)
  • SWB – Silver War Badge Records (Ancestry.co.uk)
  • PENS – Pension Records (Western Front Association/Fold3)
  • CWGC – Commonwealth War Grave Commission
  • RAA – Royal Artillery Attestations 1883 -1942 (FindMyPast.co.uk)
  • NEWS – Newspapers
  • CENS – Census Records (Ancestry.co.uk & FindMyPast.co.uk)
  • BFB – Briton Ferry Boys at the Front Fund Committee Records (swansea.gov.uk)
  • FAM – Family Records