Daniel Edgar Thomas – Royal Warwickshire Regiment, 15th Battalion

Private Daniel Edgar Thomas – Royal Warwickshire Regiment, 15^th Battalion

Birth and Family

Daniel Edgar Thomas

Private Daniel Edgar Thomas was born in 1898, Swansea, the son of Daniel Thomas and Annie Thomas.

1901 Census

At the time of the 1901 Census, the family were residing at Bankmawr, Sketty, Swansea, the home of Annie’s parents. The household was headed by Griffith Thomas (65), a farmer on his own account, and his wife Ann Thomas (68).

Living with them were their son-in-law Daniel Thomas (35), born in Carmarthenshire, who worked as a labourer on the farm, and his wife Annie (31), a farm servant. Their son Edgar (3) was also present. Two servants lived in the household: Harrie Evans (25) and Sarah Eaton (15).

1911 Census

By the 1911 Census, the family had moved to Boar Spit, West Cross, Swansea. Daniel Thomas (45) was employed as a farmer, with his wife Annie (40) assisting in the business.

Their children were Edgar (13) and Idris (9), both attending school, and William (6). Also residing in the household were two servants, Henry Evans (38) and Esther Eaton (22).

Military Service

Private Daniel Edgar Thomas enlisted in the British Army and served with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, 15th Battalion.

By September 1918, the battalion was engaged in the Final Allied Offensive on the Western Front, known as the Hundred Days Offensive. During this period, British forces were pressing the German Army back towards its main defensive positions.

On 29^th September 1918, the battalion took part in operations connected with the breaking of the Hindenburg Line, Germany’s principal defensive system. The fighting involved advances against heavily fortified positions defended by machine guns, artillery, and deep trench networks. Infantry units, including the 15th Battalion, advanced under intense fire, suffering significant casualties.

Death and Burial

Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects

It was during this severe fighting that Private Daniel Edgar Thomas was mortally wounded. According to the Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, he died of wounds on 29^th September 1918, only weeks before the end of the war.

He is buried at Grevillers British Cemetery, France, a cemetery closely associated with the final advance of British forces in 1918. His father, Daniel Thomas, also died in 1918.