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WORLD WAR ONE

The Men Who Died

WORLD WAR ONE

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Arthur was born in Hammersmith, Middlesex in 1889, son of William Mitchell and Elizabeth Maria Thomas. William was a train driver. The family lived in Hammersmith for many years in Miles Road, later on in Standish Road. Arthur had a younger sister Laura, and a younger brother, Ernest. By 1911 Arthur was a clerk, but still at home with his family. Arthur married Etheldine May Gordon-Gall in 1916 in Dartford, Kent where they then lived; their daughter Ivy was born there in February 1918. Etheldine was born and brought up in Hammersmith and was a saleswoman there in 1911. Her parents were a house decorator and confectioner. Arthur joined the Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment initially but was later transferred to the Labour Corps. Little is known of his military service but it is presumed that his Labour Corps service brought him to Brecon. He died in the military hospital there was then buried in Brecon Cemetery with a

military gravestone.

In 1939 his widow Etheldine lived in Slough and was a shop assistant. Arthur's mother lived with her, and her daughter Ivy, then 21 and working as a stenographer.

David was born in Breconshire in 1887, the son of David and Mary Thomas who were living at Cwmcar, Llanddetty in 1891 when David's father was working as a plate layer for the Brecon and Merthyr Railway.

By 1901 the family had moved to Brecon and were living at Machine House, The Watton. Young David is not at home at this time but at the age of 14 years may be working away from home.

The family are at the same address in 1911 and David is living back at home. His father is now listed as a timber haulier and David is also following the trade, working for B. Jenkins of Brecon.

David served with the Brecknock Battalion (Territorial Force) before the war and was mobilised in August1914 when war broke out.

He went with the 1st Battalion of Brecknocks to Aden in 1915, followed by Mhow in India later that year. He enlisted in Brecon in 1914 joining as a private but rises to corporal and is listed as sergeant at the time of his death. David remained overseas for the

Private Arthur Thomas

The Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment 4th Battalion and

Labour Corps., service no.430680

Died October 28th, 1918, aged 30

Buried at Brecon Cemetery

Sergeant David Thomas

Brecknock Battalion, South Wales Borderers, service nos. 82,

200014

Died of Illness May 15th, 1920, aged 33

Buried at Brecon Cemetery