Date of Birth
Unknown
College
Borough Road College
Service number
Unknown
WW1 rank
Welsh Regiment, 9th Battalion
Lieutenant
Royal Air Force, 11th Squadron
Theatre of war
France, Europe
Date of death
4 October 1918
Location of death
France
Buried/memorial
Grevillers British Cemetery (Grave/Memorial reference: XVI. E. 14.)
Awards/Honours
Military Cross – for gallantry
Biography
Lieutenant Benjamin Thomas was born near Pembroke dock to Benjamin and Jessie Thomas. He attended Borough Road College for two years showing a proficiency in both physics and chemistry. He is listed as being destined for 12th (S) Battalion, Welsh Regiment but he actually served in the 9th Battalion, Welsh Regiment for a stint. He served with this battalion during the Battle of the Somme, where he was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry. He had held an exposed flank during a German attack, and then organised a counter attack. Thomas then applied for a transfer to the Royal Flying Corps (later R.A.F.) and was accepted in September 1917. He was moved into 11th Squadron, which was flying Bristol Fighters in France. Despite being shot down by anti-aircraft fire and crash landing in 1918, he quickly returned to the air. Only a month later, on 4 October 1918, Benjamin Thomas collided with fellow Welshman Lieutenant DR Phillips’ plane and fatally crashed.
Sources
Entry on p.84, Mentioned on Framed Borough Road College Roll of Honour, Commonwealth War Graves Commission, 1916 Annual Report, http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/legacy/waleshistory/2011/07/benjamin_thomas_world_war_one_fighter_pilot.html