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Thomas Arthur Thomas
No / Rank: 9916 Private
Regiment: Royal Fusiliers
Battalion: 9th
Born: Bedwas, Mon
Enlisted: Cardiff
Residence: Machen
Date Died: 07.10.1916
How Died: Killed in Action
Theatre of War: France and Flander
Brigade:36th Division:12th (New Army)
(Battle of Le Transloy Ridges 7th – 20th October 1916)
Died on Saturday, 7th October 1916. Aged 25. Son of Arthur Knight Thomas and Elizabeth Thomas of Nantygleisad, Machen, Newport, Mon. Educated at University College Cardiff. A mining engineer. Buried at Grevillers British Cemetery, 3kms west of Bapaume, France.
On the night of the 1st of October troops of the 36 Brigade (8th & 9th Battalions Royal Fusiliers) occupied Gird and Gird support trenches in readiness for the next phase of the Battle of the Somme. Known as the battle of the Transloy Ridges and was to last from 7th to the 20th October 1916. The attack was originally due to begin on the 5th October but was delayed due to poor weather conditions. The attack was to be directed towards the German held positions near Beaulencourt, north west of the British held town of Guardecourt. The German trenches to be attacked were given the names of Bayonet, Hilt, Scabbard, Rainbow and Stormy trenches (see map).
The assault was delayed to the 7th October, by which time the ground conditions had deteriorated dramatically. The opening British artillery barrage was met with heavy and accurate counter fire from the German positions. This greatly reduced the effectiveness of the British artillery and left a significant proportion of the German Machine gun positions unscathed. This was to result in heavy losses during the subsequent attack. Anthony Eden, then serving with the 21st Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps also took part in the battle and his account of the action describes an advance over gently sloping ground into “a valley of dead ground for at least 100 yards” (Eden, A , Another Country 1897-1917) towards the heavily defended German positions.
The battalion diary records
that; “contrary to expectations very heavy machine gun and rifle fire
was experienced immediately the attacking companies reached the top of
the ridge also very heavy shelling. The three front companies were
practically decimated by this fire………………..The objective was not reached
by any company. Enemy observed to take in some of our wounded. Some
stragglers crawled back at dusk and we continued to hold our original
front line with these men and the two remaining platoons. The barrage
had apparently missed the first German trench which was nearer than it
appeared. Our barrage remained for some time behind our second
objective until it was known that the attack had failed.
The diary also records a personal note from the Commanding Officer 36th Brigade to the C.O. 9th battalion. “Will you please thank all ranks of your battalion for the magnificent gallantry displayed yesterday. They advanced steadily under very heavy fire which only the very best troops could have faced. Although unsuccessful your gallant conduct added to the fine reputation which you have already won for yourselves”.
The Battalions of the Royal Fusiliers lost 110 (8th Battalion) and 134 (9th Battalion) Officers and men killed on the 7th, from a total of 2022 British Officers and men who died on 7th October 1916.
Thomas Arthur Thomas could have claimed exemption from military service by virtue of his employment in a reserved occupation. His brother, John Davies Thomas also served with the Royal Fusiliers and was severely wounded in the Battles of the Somme.