Prescot Roll of Honour

© Prescot Reporter

Service Details

James Thomas enlisted into the Army in July 1905. It is interesting to note that his number, 9313, is one up from Ernest Finney; it is likely that they were friends and enlisted on the same day. Private Thomas served 8 years in India and was a reservist at the outbreak of war. At the time he was called up, he was working in the Wire Mill at the Wire Works. Whilst at home he was a footballer and had played full-back for Prescot Thursday, more recently signing for Prescot Athletic

The regimental history for the 1st Battalion states that they were quartered in Talavera Barracks in Aldershot in August 1914 and that mobilising the battalion took three days, all being "ready for anything" by 8th August. But then the reservists joined them and a further few days were spent in bringing these men up to date with items such as the new short rifle, which they had not used before.

Eventually, the battalion left Aldershot on 12th August at 6 a.m. and marched to Farnborough Station were they entrained for Southampton at 8 a.m. , arriving at 9.30. They embarked aboard the S.S. Irrawaddy and steamed away at mid-day, arriving it Le Havre at dawn the following day.

The battalion was in the midst of the fighting at Mons, and the retreat from there in late August, moving on to the Battle of the Marne in early September. It was at this point that the troops settled into what became know as Trench Warfare, digging in for the first time. The initial German assault had lost steam slightly by this time, and the regimental history records several days of inactivity.

Early on the morning of the 20th, patrols came in with reports that the enemy was collecting all along the front and just before dawn they attacked.

To again quote from the Regimental history, 'The attack was made principally against the 5th Brigade and the King's Regiment on the right and the 4th Guards Brigade on the left. A large body of Germans then attacked 'C' and 'D' companies from across the open and through the woods, but at eighty yards from the trenches they were brought to a standstill. Firing rapidly and with fine accuracy, the King's men gave the enemy a terrible reception and his dead and wounded soon covered the ground in large numbers. About 9 a.m. another attack was launched by the enemy'.

The attack was repulsed and the line held, although 'A' company had been thrown back before finally repulsing the German charge.

By the night of the 20th, the battalion lost one officer and 21 men killed, with three officers and 38 men wounded.

Private Thomas body was never identified and he is remembered on the La Fert-Sous-Jouarre Memorial to the missing.

The Prescot Reporter of November 6th, 1914 reported the following:
'
PRESCOT SOLDIER KILLED
COMRADE'S SAD NEWS CONFIRMED

The worst fears of the fate of Pte. James Thomas, son of Mr. And Mrs. Richard Thomas of 44 Ackers-street, Prescot, and a reservist of the King's Liverpool Regiment, who rejoined his regiment at the commencement of hostilities, have, unfortunately, been confirmed.

It will be remembered that about three weeks ago, Pte. Finney of Warrington-road, Prescot, also of the King's Liverpool Regiment, wrote home to his parents to the effect that Pte. Thomas had been killed, but Pte. Thomas' parents up to that time had not received any intimation from the War Office. They at once communicated with the War Office asking for information and on Saturday morning received a reply stating that their son had been killed in action some weeks ago.

The deceased was a single man, and was 26 years of age. He was employed at the B.I. and H.C. Ltd., and was well known in the town, especially in football circles. During last year he played regularly for the Prescot Thursday team and made one or two appearances with Prescot Athletic. Much sympathy has been extended to his parents and relatives'

The above picture, provided by Kathy Donaldson, shows Private Thomas before the war. It appeared in the Liverpool Weekly Courier in May 1915

Prescot Reporter 14th September 1917.

James Thomas' Medal Index Card (above).