Herbert Frank Thomas

Herbert Frank Thomas was born in 1889 in Nottingham and was the son of George a cooper and cask maker and Eliza Thomas nee Chatters of 27 Osberton Street, Nottingham. His father George was born in Stoke on Trent in 1862 and his mother Eliza Chatters was born in 1863 in Pentlaw, Essex, they were married in 1882 in Staffordshire and went on to have the following children, George b1882 Burton on Trent, Harold b1885 Burton on Trent, Arthur b1887 Nottingham, Herbert Frank b1889 Nottingham, Ethel b1893 Nottingham, Elsie b1896 Nottingham, Grace b1898 Nottingham and Hilda b1902 Nottingham. In the 1911 census the family are living at 27 Osberton Street, Nottingham and are shown as George 49 yrs a brewery cooper and cask maker, he is living with his wife Eliza 48 yrs and their children Frank (Herbert Frank) 22 yrs a brewers labourer, Ethel 18 yrs a curtain mender, Elsie 15 yrs a curtain maker, Grace 13 yrs a lace drawer, and Hilda 9 yrs a scholar. Herbert Frank married Sarah Minnie Richmond (born 6th August 1887 ) in 1913 in Nottingham and they go on to have a son Alan Frank born 5th February 1914 in Nottingham they lived at 7, Maples St., The Forest, and 8 Gregory Boulevard, Hyson Green, Nottingham. Following his death his widow Sarah was awarded a pension of 15 shillings a week which commenced on 11th December 1916.

He was educated at High Pavement School and was a brewery labourer in 1911

Private Herbert Frank Thomas, enlisted at Nottingham and served with the 10th Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles). He landed in France on 11th July 1915 and he died of wounds on 21st May 1916 and is buried in Bethune Town Cemetery.

In memoriam published 21st May 1918 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “THOMAS. – In loving memory of my dear husband, Pte. Herbert (Frank) Thomas, Cameronians, died of wounds May 21st, 1916. I often sit and think of you, dear, and wonder how you died, without us near who loved you, before you closed your eyes; you nobly did your duty, and like a hero fell,oh, could I have held your drooping head, and bade you a last farewell. – Loving wife Minne and little Alan. “THOMAS. – To the cherished memory of our beloved son, Pte. Herbert (Frank), died of wounds May 21st, 1916. There's not a morning dawns, or a night returns, but what we think of thee. One of the best. – Sorrowing mother, father, sisters, brothers George and Arthur (in France), Harold (discharged), Uncle Tom. “THOMAS. – In loving memory of our beloved brother, Pte. Herbert (Frank), died of wounds May 21st, 1916. Some day we'll understand. – Loving sister Elsie and brother George (India, in hospital). “THOMAS. – In loving memory of our dear son-in-law, Pte. Herbert (Frank) Thomas, died of wounds May 21st, 1916. – Fondly remembered by Mr. and Mrs. Richmond and family (Harold in France).” Above in memoriam are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 His brother Sergeant Frederick Arthur Thomas enlisted in Nottingham and served with the 1/7th battalion Cameronians, he died of a gun shot wound to the abdomen on 26th August 1918, he is buried at St. Hilaire Cemetery Extension Frevent