Thomas Herbert Kift – Royal Field Artillery, “D” Battery, 177th Brigade

Bombardier Thomas Herbert Kift – Royal Field Artillery, “D” Battery, 177^th Brigade

Family Background

Thomas Herbert Kift 

Thomas Herbert Kift was born in 1895 in Mumbles, the eldest son of Thomas Kift and Elizabeth Emma Hammett, who were married in 1893.

1901 Census

At the time of the 1901 Census, the Kift family were living at Village Lane, Mumbles.
Thomas (39) was employed as a Mason Labourer, and his wife Elizabeth A. (28) managed the household. Their children present were Carrie (8), Herbert (6), Dorris (5), Mary (3), William (2), and Roselie (7 months). Also living with the family was George Hammett (59), Elizabeth’s father, born in Devon and employed as a General Labourer.

1911 Census

By the 1911 Census, the family were residing at 13 Village Lane, Mumbles.
Thomas (49) was working as a General Labourer, and Elizabeth (36) was at home. Their children present were Thomas Herbert (16), employed as a Farm Labourer; Mary (13); Roselie (11); Jack (9); Ivor (6)—all of whom attended school—and Cyril (3).

Military Service and Death

Thomas served as a Bombardier in the Royal Field Artillery, “D” Battery, 177^th Brigade, a unit supporting the 16^th (Irish) Division during the Battle of Messines and the subsequent operations leading towards the Third Battle of Ypres. In June 1917, the brigade was heavily engaged in artillery operations in the Ypres Salient, providing sustained bombardments, creeping barrages for advancing infantry, and counter-battery fire aimed at suppressing German gun positions. After the success at Messines Ridge, “D” Battery moved into newly captured positions where they built fresh gun emplacements, repaired damaged roads and gun pits, laid communication cables, and prepared firing plans for future offensives. Throughout this period, the gun lines were subjected to intense German counter-bombardments, including high-explosive and gas shells, making artillery service extremely hazardous.

Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects

Thomas Herbert Kift 
Klein-Vierstraat British Cemetery, Belgium
credit - findagrave

According to the Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects, Bombardier Thomas Herbert Kift died of wounds on 20^th June 1917, during this period of heavy enemy shelling and continuous artillery activity. He is buried at Klein-Vierstraat British Cemetery, Belgium, a cemetery used by field ambulances and front-line units operating south of Ypres.