Arthur David Thomas – Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, H.M.S. Natal

Able Seaman Arthur David Thomas – Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, H.M.S. Natal

Early Life

David Thomas and Margaret Richards
marriage certificate
St. Mary's Church, Swansea

Arthur David Thomas was born in 1895 in Swansea, the son of David Thomas and Margaret Richards, who married in 1889 at St. Mary’s Church, Swansea.

1901 Census

By the time of the 1901 Census, the Thomas family were living in Llangyfelach, Swansea. Arthur’s father, David Thomas, aged 38 and born in Carmarthenshire, was employed as a Locomotive Shed Chargeman on the railway. His mother, Margaret, aged 34, was at home caring for their young family. Their children at this time were Stanley Evan (9), Arthur David (6), Gladys Margaret (4), and William Ivor (2).

1911 Census

A decade later, the 1911 Census records the family living at 20 Manselton Road, Manselton, Swansea. David, now 47, continued his work as a Chargeman at the Locomotive Sheds, while Margaret, aged 43, remained at home. Their eldest son, Stanley Evan, aged 19, was working as a Fireman on the Great Western Railway, and Arthur, then 16, was employed at the Tin Plate Works. The household also included Gladys Margaret (14), William Ivor (12), Nelson Douglas (4), and George Bailey (2). Living with them was Arthur’s grandmother, Margaret Richards, aged 75.

Naval Service

Arthur David Thomas later enlisted in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, serving as an Able Seaman during the First World War. He was posted to H.M.S. Natal, a Warrior‑class armoured cruiser of the Royal Navy.

Loss of H.M.S. Natal

H.M.S. Natal was a Warrior‑class armoured cruiser, launched in 1905 and completed in 1907. On 30^th December 1915, she lay at anchor in the Cromarty Firth, Scotland, as part of the 2nd Cruiser Squadron. That afternoon, the ship’s captain, Captain Eric Back, hosted a small Christmas film party on board, attended by officers’ families, children, and nurses from a nearby hospital ship.

At approximately 3:25 p.m., a sudden and catastrophic internal explosion tore through the ship. The blast originated in one of the ship’s magazines, where unstable wartime cordite charges ignited—likely through spontaneous combustion. The explosion was so violent it was heard up to 25 miles away.

Within minutes, Natal had capsized, and by 3:45 p.m. she had sunk completely. The tragedy claimed the lives of over 400 people, including crew members, officers’ families, three children, and several nurses who had been attending the film showing. It remains one of the most devastating non‑combat losses in Royal Navy history.

British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records

According to the British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records, Able Seaman Arthur David Thomas was among those who lost their lives in this disaster.

Arthur David Thomas
Plymouth Naval Memorial, Plymouth
credit - findagrave

Commemoration

Arthur David Thomas is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, which honours Royal Navy personnel who have no known grave but the sea. His name stands among those who served with courage and were lost far from home