Henry Joseph Spiers Thomas

Serjeant Henry Joseph Spiers Thomas – Glamorgan Yeomanry

Early Life

Henry Joseph Spiers Thomas was born in 1880, though few records of his early life survive. He was the son of the late Elizur Thomas, of “The Nook,” Ebbw Vale, Monmouthshire, and Mrs Thomas, later of Hamilton Terrace, Swansea.

Military Service

Before the First World War, Henry served as a Trooper with the Pembrokeshire Imperial Yeomanry, 30th Company, 9th Battalion, during the Anglo-Boer War (1899–1902). The Imperial Yeomanry were volunteer mounted regiments formed from existing Yeomanry and civilian recruits to bolster the British Army in South Africa.

The Pembrokeshire Imperial Yeomanry was composed largely of men from West Wales and served with distinction during operations in the Orange Free State and Transvaal between 1900 and 1902. Their duties included reconnaissance, patrols, and protecting supply convoys in harsh terrain often threatened by Boer commandos. Life on campaign was arduous, with long rides across the veldt, exposure to disease, and the constant risk of ambush — experiences that left a deep impression on those who served.

After returning from South Africa, Henry worked as an engineer with the Red Line (Antwerp), a maritime transport company operating between Britain and the Continent.

With the outbreak of the First World War, Henry once again offered his service, enlisting in the Glamorgan Yeomanry, a Territorial Force cavalry regiment raised across South Wales. He attained the rank of Serjeant, a title that continued to be officially used within cavalry and Yeomanry units.

The Glamorgan Yeomanry initially undertook home defence duties, but in 1916 they were deployed overseas to the Middle East as part of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force. They took part in the Sinai and Palestine Campaigns, engaging in operations across the desert to secure key routes against Ottoman forces. In 1917, the regiment was converted to infantry and amalgamated with the Pembroke Yeomanry to form the 24th (Pembroke & Glamorgan Yeomanry) Battalion, Welsh Regiment. The battalion went on to serve in Egypt and Palestine, including actions at Beersheba, Gaza, and Jerusalem, before being transferred to the Western Front in 1918, where they took part in the final Allied advances.

Death

Serjeant Henry Joseph Spiers Thomas died on 11^th April 1920, having survived two major wars and years of military service across two continents.

Burial

Henry Joseph Spiers Thomas
Oystermouth Cemetery
credit - findagrave

He was laid to rest at Oystermouth Cemetery, Swansea, where his grave remains a lasting memorial to his long and dedicated service.

Legacy

Though few personal records survive, Henry Joseph Spiers Thomas represents a remarkable generation of Welshmen who served their country in both the Boer War and the First World War. His career — spanning the South African veldt to the deserts of the Middle East — reflects the courage, endurance, and adaptability of the Yeomanry soldiers of South Wales. His grave at Oystermouth Cemetery stands as a tribute to his devotion to duty and the enduring legacy of the Welsh Yeomanry.