Thomas Mills was born at Manafon, near Welshpool, Montgomeryshire in 1893. His mother was Margaret Mills, no details of his father have been found – Margaret is recorded as single and working for herself as a dressmaker. Thomas had 2 siblings, Jane and John, and Annie as an adopted daughter. In 1901 they were living at Walkmill Cottage at Manafon but by 1911 had moved to Oswestry and were living at 15 (13) Oakhurst Road. Also living there were his siblings, now with a second sister Gwendoline, and 2 cousins Edward and William. Thomas was working as a farm labourer.

Thomas joined the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry at Shrewsbury on 12 November 1914. Initially he was in 9 Bn, training and reserves and was then posted to 7 Bn KSLI on 19 December 1915 when he also went over to France. He served with the battalion on the Western Front and was wounded on 14 July 1916 when the battalion was in action at Bazentin Ridge on the Somme. (see Corporal 13868 Percy Broster, Private 19737 George F Jones and Private 14729 E Davies, all 7 Bn KSLI and KIA 14 July 1916). Thomas was hit in his right side and chest and was evacuated to England on 24 July 1916.  On 26 September he attended a Medical Examination. He had been coughing up blood and the examination found he had enlarged heart and liver and had an irregular heart beat, all as a result of his wounds. He was subsequently discharged on 10 October 1916 under King’s Regulations Para. 392. He was in receipt of a pension until his death on 6 March 1918.  He was buried in Oswestry Cemetery on 9 March 1918. His grave, F 369, is unmarked and he is not listed on CWGC. Thomas is also commemorated on Manafon War Memorial.

Acknowledgments

References and Sources

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