Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Arthur Frederick Thomas was born on 2 November 1891 at Timaru, the third son of John Thomas and his second wife, Albina née Stevens. His Welsh-born father had come to New Zealand with his first wife who died very young, leaving a daughter and a son. He then married Cornish-born Albina in 1879 at Timaru. From very early on, the family lived in Catherine Street, Timaru. John Thomas was a shipwright, much of his work in the vicinity of the Landing Service. Arthur Frederick Thomas was baptized at St Mary’s Anglican Church, Timaru, on 14 February 1892, his parents the sponsors. On 5 September 1890, before either Arthur or Edwin was born, “John Thomas, shipwright, with a wife and seven children, was summoned at the instance of the wife, to show why a prohibition order should not be issued against him. Mrs Thomas stated that her husband was not in constant work, but when he did get work he went “on the beer.” She had had only 2s 6d from him the last three weeks, and for a good while past had not had enough to eat as she could not earn much herself with so many children to look after. Her husband said a prohibition order would not be much good, but she thought she would try it. She had told him often that she would do so. Defendant begged that the order be not issued. He would do better without it. His Worship said he always preferred to allow a man to exercise his own powers of restraint, and if defendant would promise to amend, he would adjourn the application for a mouth to see how he got on. Defendant gave a promise, and the case was adjourned accordingly.” In May 1892, little Albina Ivy Thomas, who had been sickly and subject to fits from birth, died at the age of three. Along with his siblings, Arthur was educated at Timaru South School, going out to work at the age of 15. In December 1899, John Thomas faced a truancy case for not sending his children to school. Mrs Thomas appeared for her husband but could give no valid reason for keeping her children at home. A fine of 2 shillings was imposed. “His Worship said that parents must thoroughly understand that they must comply with the Act. Their children must be sent regularly to school.” Caroline Thomas, known as Catherine or Carrie, the second daughter of John and Albina, died after a painful illness at Christchurch Hospital on 8 May 1901, aged 19 years, and was buried at Linwood Cemetery. Arthur Thomas was one who gave a recitation at the Park Gate Band of Hope meeting held in the South School on 10 August 1906, and again at the next meeting on 24 August. His father, John Thomas, died in February 1914 at Timaru. He was survived by his widow, Albina, two children from his first marriage and seven from his second marriage.

Arthur F. Thomas was one of the South Canterbury men selected in October 1914 to go to the front as reinforcements for the mounted men. He was probably the A. Thomas who had volunteered very early in August for the second contingent of volunteers for the front (Mounted Rifles), enrolled at the Defence Office and passed the medical inspection. It was thought that they would leave for the concentration camp at Trentham on 5 August but there was a delay. “Those who have passed the medical inspection are to hold themselves in readiness, as they may be called upon at any moment.” Indeed, he enlisted on 20 October 1914 at Timaru, having been medically examined on 2 October. He was 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighed 164 pounds, and had a chest measurement of 34½-37¼ inches. His complexion was dark, his eyes and his hair brown. His sight, hearing, colour vision, heart and lungs were all normal, his limbs and chest well formed, his teeth fair. Being free of diseases and vaccinated, he was in good bodily and mental health. At that time, he was employed as a cook at the Lucas Continental Cafe. He had served with the Timaru Port Guards but had not previously registered for compulsory military service as he had been away from New Zealand. Single and of Church of England affiliation, he named his mother as next-of-kin – Albina Thomas, Catherine Street, Timaru.

Trooper A. F Thomas embarked with the Canterbury Mounted Rifles, 2nd Reinforcements, on 14 December 1914 at Wellington, disembarking on 2 February 1915 at Alexandria. On 15 March 1915 he was sent to hospital at Zeitoun with enlarged tonsils. From there he was transferred on 19 March, with measles, and discharged on 21 March. He was detached for duty (cook) at the Detention Barracks at Abbassia, Egypt, on 10 April 1915. He was admitted to hospital at Abbassia on 11 November 1915, the cause not determined, and discharged on 20 November. On 1 January 1916 he was appointed Temporary Corporal and employed as cook (temporary detachment) at the Abbassia Detention Barracks. Corporal A. F. Thomas, Canterbury Mounted Rifles, was admitted to the New Zealand General Hospital at Pont de Koubbeh on 26 February 1916, suffering from acute bronchitis. Mrs Thomas received a telegram from Sir Joseph Ward in early March, expressing regret that her son, who was at the Front, was ill. He was transferred to the Convalescent Home at Zeitoun on 29 March and, discharged to Base at Gizeh on 12 April, he was transferred to the Canterbury Mounted Rifles Training Squadron ten days later.

The medical report in the Admission and Discharge Book, dated 2 June 1916 at Tel-el-Kebir – Asthma and bronchitis. Has been subject to bronchitis from childhood. Father died of asthma. Sister had epilepsy. Went to Trentham in October 1914 where he was ill with bronchitis and measles. Came to Egypt in January 1915 and has remained on garrison duty ever since. Has been three times admitted to N.Z. General Hospital with bronchitis and once to Field Hospital, Zeitoun. Aggregate time in hospital since arriving in Egypt 9 months. Much yellow phlegm. Heart . . . . . Respiratory . . . . . Embarking at Suez on 11 June 1916, he was invalided to New Zealand by the “Ulimaroa”, the reason asthma. The N.Z.E.F. Hospital Certificate dated 10 August 1916 certified that 7/792 Corporal A. F. Thomas was under treatment in Timaru Hospital from 7 August. “Cook. This man has been in hospital since leaving Egypt with asthma and pleurisy, tapped three times, is very willing and anxious to do his bit but should never have been sent forward. Recommend hospital treatment and discharge.”

He was admitted to the Timaru General Hospital on 6 September 1916, when the examination report read – Sickness occurred on 28 February 1916 at Abbassia Barracks; treatment at Field Hospital? and Pont de Koubbeh; bronchial asthma and pleurisy. This man has been Out-Patient at this Hospital and was admitted this morning for a severe asthmatic bout. He has been in and out-patient before he was tapped 3 times 42 ounces in all on “Ulimaroa” during passage to N.Z. and also in Timaru Hospital . . . . . The ladies committee in charge of the Gollywog and Flower Stall to be run at the Timaru A. & P. Show in October 1916 “received from Private [sic] A. F. Thomas a very neat little model of an Encampment which has been made by Private Thomas while in Hospital. It consists of tents, guns in position, and men about the camp in khaki, and shows that Private Thomas must have gone to a lot of trouble in making it. This is to be disposed of by means of a guessing competition which is being arranged.”

The examination report of 15 November 1916 at Timaru Hospital read – Sickness occurred at Camp at Tel-el-Kebir. Went with 2nd Reinforcements – was on garrison duty in Egypt and cooking at detention barracks. Has had bronchitis since boyhood – one lung much collapsed from pressure. Tapped at least six times on board ship and hospital. This man . . . . . may now be boarded and discharged from expeditionary force, but needs further treatment.

At the Medical Board assembled at Timaru Hospital on 4 December 1916, the original disability was recorded as asthmas and bronchitis, pleurisy with effusion. The bronchitis was due to causes existing prior to enlistment, while the pleurisy and asthma were contracted on service and caused by military duty. The specific cause was chill. The consequent disabilities were loss of weight and general debility. He had improved since admission and gained 12 pounds since admission. His disability was, however, likely to be permanent, and he was not fit for Territorial Service or Civil Employment. It was recommended that he be considered for a pension.

Arthur Thomas was discharged after his return to New Zealand – on 25 December 1916, being no longer physically fit for war service on account of illness contracted on active service. He was described as of good character. All his service had been in Egypt, where began a battle he was not going to win. He remained ill and subsequently died as a result of illness contracted on active service. Arthur Frederick Thomas – beloved son of Mrs Albina Thomas and of the late John Thomas f Catherine Street, Timaru - died on 26 November 1918 at the Timaru Hospital, aged 27 years. “Deeply regretted.” He was buried in the Timaru Cemetery, a services stone marking his grave. “The remains of the late Corporal Arthur F. Thomas, of the 1st Reinforcements, were given a military funeral yesterday. Returned soldiers supplied the firing party and the pall-bearers, and the Defence Department supplied the gun carriage. The 2nd (S.C.) Regimental Band played the Dead March en route to the cemetery, four bandsmen played the Last Post, and three volleys were fired over the open grave. The Rev. J. H. Rogers conducted the service at the grave. The funeral was attended by Captain A. N. Oakey, M.C., group commander, Lieut. A. E. Dendy, Adjutant. and a number of the deceased soldier’s comrades.”

His medals – 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal - were sent on 8 December 1921 to his mother; likewise the scroll and plaque on 16 August 1923. Arthur was survived by his mother, four sisters and four brothers. Mrs Albina Thomas and Arthur’s brothers and sisters regularly remembered Arthur with a newspaper notice for some years. “Thou has’t gone from us, dear Arthur. Never shall your memory fade, Fondest thoughts do often linger, Round the grave where you are laid.” (1919) “He bore his pain, He bore it well – But what he suffered none can tell. Peacefully sleeping, resting at last; Life’s weary sorrows and troubles are past.” (1920) “I often sit and think of him When I am all alone, For memory is the only friend That grief can call its own, I do not know what pain he had, I never saw him die, I only know he passed away, And I wasn’t there to say good-bye.” (1921) “How constantly we think of him, With eyes and hearts that fill, The love we had for him in life In death seeing stronger still.” (1922) In 1929, and again in 1934, Mary Anne Skudder (née Thomas) was to remember bother brother Arthur and her mother. Mrs Albina Thomas, of 36 Catherine Street, died at the Timaru Hospital on 20 November 1928. Arthur’s brother Edwin Laurence Thomas also served in World War One.

Arthur Frederick Thomas is honoured on the Timaru Memorial Wall, St Mary’s Memorial Tablet and Timaru South School War Memorial. The Timaru South School tablet was unveiled at Timaru South School on 18 September 1919 in a memorable and unique ceremony. “The names of those on the tablet belonged to boys who, only a few years ago, had sat in the same class rooms, under the same teachers and had played on the same playground as the children there that day,” noted the committee chairman. “No nobler boys had left the shores of New Zealand than ex-pupils of the Timaru South School,” said one long-term committee member. Standard VI pupils sang Kipling's “Recessional”, and Standard V pupils recited “Anzac Men,” a stirring poem written by the headmaster. Following the unveiling, an ex-pupil played “The Last Post” and all those assembled sang the National Anthem.

The name of A. Thomas was included in a list prepared in September 1920 of parishioners of St Mary’s who died on active service. The names were to be inscribed on the memorial. The St Mary’s Church memorial to the fallen was dedicated by the Bishop of Christchurch on 1 December 1921. The service was conducted by the Bishop, the Archdeacon who had himself served, and the Vicar, and included in the large congregation were the Mayor and Councillors and numerous men who had served in the late war, as well as in the South African war. Following the hymn “God of Our Fathers”, prayer and a scripture reading, the memorial was solemnly unveiled. The hymn “O Valiant Hearts” was then sung, the Bishop spoke briefly, and the service closed with the singing of the National Anthem. Bishop Julius noted that, after the long years of anxiety, fear, hope, sorrow, and loss, and now that peace had been declared, they had assembled to unveil a memorial to those from the parish of St. Mary’s who had given their all—their lives. The memorial, his Lordship said, was a most worthy one in its simplicity, artistic beauty, and character, adding that the names it bore were the names of men who had given their all. The inscription reads: “To the glory of God, and in proud and grateful memory of those from this parish who gave their lives in the Great War, 1914-1918.” Then follow the names (73 in number) of those who made the great sacrifice, and the inscription at the bottom of the tablet: “Their name liveth for evermore.”

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [20 December 2015]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ Ref. AABK18805 W5553 0113320) [20 December 2015]; CWGC [20 December 2015]; NZ BDM Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs) [29 July 2014]; Timaru Cemetery headstone image (Timaru District Council) [20 December 2015]; School Admission records (South Canterbury Branch NZSG) [20 December 2015]; South Canterbury Times, 5 September 1890, 27 May 1892, 9 December 1899, Timaru Herald, 10 May 1901, 6, 11 & 25 August 1906, 20 October 1914, 4 & 6 March 1916, 23 October 1916, 27 November 1918 [x 3], 28 & 29 November 1918, 19 September 1919, 27 November 1919, 16 September 1920, 26 November 1920, 26 November 1921, 2 December 1921, 27 November 1922, 26 November 1925, 26 November 1925, 26 November 1929, 26 November 1934, Star, 3 March 1916, New Zealand Herald, 4 March 1916, Dominion, 4 March 1916, NZ Times, 10 July 1916 (Papers Past) [14 December 2014; 20 December 2015; 15 February 2018; 29 January 2020; 02 June 2023]; School Admission records (South Canterbury Branch NZSG) [20 December 2015]; St Mary’s Timaru baptism records (South Canterbury Branch NZSG records) [01 June 2023]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file
• Other military personnel file

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