The 2nd Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers arrived at Zeebrugge on the 06/10/1914 and were part of the 90th Brigade, 30th Division when Thomas was Killed during the Arras Offensive on the opening day of the 2nd Battle of the Scarpe, 23rd - 24th April 1917. The 90th Brigade mentioned in the 89th Brigade book - "By the 23rd we had moved close up behind the line, and in the attack that was to take place, for once in a way, we were to be the Brigade in reserve - a most unusual position for us. At first it looked as if we should have very little to do, but this idea was very soon exploded. The attack took place on the 23rd, and at first everything seemed to go fairly well-hung up in some places but, in the main, getting on all right. The 90th Brigade, who had not been in the later stages of the Heninel fight, were doing the attack, with the 21st Brigade in support of them. It appears that the 90th Brigade's attack was held up by one or two strong points-particularly one in a quarry, which had not been properly bombarded. The result was a certain loss of direction, and eventually they were back on their own original front line. They had another go in the afternoon, but it was no good. About mid-day we received orders to move up, and proceeded to the neighbourhood of Neuville-Vitasse. On arrival there, I got orders to send up all Battalions as soon as they arrived, and also a message came that I was to go myself to the Headquarters of the 90th Brigade. General Shea explained the situation, which was decidedly difficult. The Boche had made a most determined counter-attack, particularly on the high ground on our right, and for the time being he had broken through. The situation was being re- adjusted by the 21st Brigade, and the arrival of two of our Battalions was most opportune. The remaining two Battalions were stopped from going up. During that night the Boche was driven out of the place he had broken through and the 90th Brigade were withdrawn from the line. They had had a rather bad time and their losses were pretty severe". SEE PHOTOS x 1 FOR A REPORT ON THE BATTALION ON THE 23rd APRIL 1917 and PHOTOS x 10 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY 1st - 30th APRIL 1917. The Report states - "The Commanding Officer - Lieut.- Colonel M. E. McConaghey - fell, and with him Second Lieutenants J. Spies, J. McLeod, T. Leishman, H. F. Smith, and J. C. Cameron, and 55 Other Ranks; 4 Officers and 195 men were wounded; 4 Officers and 209 men missing". The Battalion War Diary states - "Casualties, Officers - Killed in Action - Lt Col. M. E. McCONAGHEY D.S.O. - 2 Lt. J. SPEARS - 2 Lt. T. LEISHMAN - 2 Lt. H. F. SMITH - 2 Lt. J. C. CAMERON. Died of Wounds - 2 Lt. J. McLEOD. Wounded in Action - 2 Lt. D. B. MACKENZIE - 2 Lt. F. ROBB - 2 Lt. T. W. SMITH - 2 Lt. A. C. McMASTER - 2 Lt. J. T. FRASER. Missing - 2 Lt. E. A. SINCLAIR - 2 Lt. D. TRENCH - 2 Lt. T. S. CAMPBELL. Wounded and Missing - 2 Lt. G. DICEY. Casualties, Other Ranks - Killed in Action 55, Wounded 195, Missing 209, Died of Wounds 3. The Battle of Arras, 9th April -16th June 1917 : Once again the British are called upon to launch an attack in support to a larger French offensive : the Battles of the Chemin des Dames and the hills of Champagne. The opening Battle of Vimy and the First Battle of the Scarpe are very encouraging, but once again the offensive - often known as the Battle of Arras - bogs down into an attritional slog. Final attempts to outflank the German lines at Bullecourt prove terribly costly. 68 of the 115 identified men buried at Bootham Cemetery are Thomas' 2nd Battalion comrades who all fell on the same day as Thomas. He enlisted in the 4th Battalion Highland Light Infantry (31168) in Coatbridge on the 22/02/1916 and was transferred to the 2nd Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers, in the field, on the 19/10/1916. Grave photo kindly donated by Mick McCann at the British War Graves website who supply photos FREE OF CHARGE
here. Thomas is also remembered in the St. Augustine's Parish (book) Roll of Honour. See photos for his Medal Index Card, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his Service Records x 8, Bootham Cemetery, Thomas' Pension Records x 2, his original Regiment the Highland Light Infantry Cap Badge, the Royal Scots Fusiliers Cap Badge, Report on the 2nd Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers on the day Thomas died. Finally, see photos for the 30th Division Order of Battle x 14 (the Division Thomas was with when he died) and Newspaper clippings x 2 (Coatbridge Express x 1 and Coatbridge Leader x 1).
