Roland thomas

[suep1849]

Roland Thomas was my lovely grand father who served with the Welsh Guards in the Fist World War. I know he had lung problems , probably from the gas in the trenches but I remember my Nan saying he was either shot or something in his abdomen even though they managed to have children, how can I find out more about what he went through. I remember being by his side when he was very I;; in later life with his chest and praying for him to get over it. Until my Nan who loved him dearly who said don't it is cruel for him. The day I stopped he passed away. She did not mean it harshly but I have never forgotten

[CaroleW]

Sadly - over 60% of WW1 service records were burnt during the WW2 blitz.

What year was your GF born and did he have any middle name(s) as the only entry on the Medal Roll Index for a Roland Thomas - Welsh Guards was Roland John

Do you know his service/regimental number?

[suep1849]

All I know is that he was born 22/08/1897

[suep1849]

He was a wonderfully patient man and when I was a baby he used to take me to nurse me to sleep when I used too cry and apparently I cried a lot especially  at night

[CaroleW]

His death registration in 1970 shows his DoB as 22.8.1896 - not 1897

Births September qtr 1896 
Roland Thomas  Bromyard    6a   500

www.freebmd.org.uk

[CaroleW]

There is a Medal Roll Index entry indexed as R Thomas of the Welsh Guards Labour Corp Regimental numbers   405 and 593979.  The original entry shows him as Roland

He was awarded the British, Victory and 15 star medals.  Theatre of War is shown as (1) and entered 17.8.1915

There are several annotations on the entry but I don't know whether they refer to injuries

CL "Z" 25.4.19
Reto CRV 161.26.1.22  6195/ abt
Re-issued .1.V.280/4  15.5.22 then ditto line under 619/5 abt

His service record has not survived and there are no war pension records for him

[CaroleW]

1901 census for Cradley - all born Cradley except William

William Thomas   49 farm labourer b Suckley Worcestershire
Mary     38
Harold J     16
Ruth B  12
Robert W  10
Sydney     7
Roland  4
RG13 Piece 2490 Folio 51 Page 5

[suep1849]

Thank you so much for all this information. It is much appreciated

Sue