WILLIAM HENRY THOMAS

William is remembered on the Ipswich Town Hall memorial to employees.

Born: 16th May 1900, Studley, Warwickshire.

Baptised: with his brother George Ernest Thomas, on the 18th May 1902, Studley, Warwickshire. Parents: Fanny & Joseph Thomas, a Bicycle Filer. Address: Studley Common.

Died: 25th August 1942; age: 42 – 503, Nacton Road, Nacton – Civilian War Dead.

Rank: Fire Watcher.

Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Joseph Henry & Fanny Thomas, of Redditch Road, Studley, Warwickshire; husband of Caroline Thomas, of 66, Boyton Road, Ipswich.

CENSUS

1901   The Common, Studley, Warwickshire.

William was 10 months old and living with his parents.

Joseph Henry Thomas, 28, a Needle Filer, born 1873, Studley, Warwickshire.

Fanny Thomas (nee Fisher), 25, a Needle Spiller – at home, born 1876, Short Heath, Erdington, Warwickshire.

1911   The Common, Studley, Warwickshire.

William was 10 years old and living with his parents & brothers.

Joseph, 38, a Cycle Filer.

Fanny, 35.

George Ernest Thomas, 9, born Studley.

John Thomas, 7, born Studley.

Leonard Thomas, 5, born Studley.

Graham Thomas, 3, born Studley.

Bernard Thomas, 8 months, born Studley.

1921    8, Gibson Street, Ipswich.

William was 25 years and 1 month old. He was a General Labourer for Messrs. Burton Son & Sanders – Wholesale Grocers, of the Quay, Ipswich. He was married and lived with his wife, parents-in-law, brother-in-law and sister-in-laws.

David Wilby, 60 years & 10 months old, a Wood Sawyer for Mr. Robinson – Timber Merchant, of St. Edmunds Road, Ipswich, born Debenham, Suffolk.

Caroline Wilby (nee Daniels), 42 years & 5 months old, a Cloth Riper for Saxton & Co., of New Street, Ipswich, born Ipswich.

Caroline Thomas (nee Wilby), 22 years & 7 months old, Home Duties.

David Wilby, 19 years & 10 months old, a General Labourer, born Ipswich.

Annie Beatrice Wilby, 17 years & 2 months old, a Cloth Riper for Saxton & Co., of New Street, Ipswich, born Ipswich.

Helen May Wilby, 15 years & 7 months old, a Rag Sorter for Saxton & Co., of New Street, Ipswich, born Ipswich.

Violet May Wilby, 10 years & 1 month old, at School, born Ipswich.

Beatrice Maud Wilby, 7 years & 8 months old, at School, born Ipswich.

In 1919, in Ipswich, William married Caroline Wilby, born November 1898, Ipswich- daughter of David Wilby, a wood sawyer, and Caroline Wilby (nee Daniels), a cloth ripper, of 8, Gibson Street, Ipswich.

Caroline and William had five children:

George William Thomas, born September 1921, at 8, Gibson Street, Ipswich.

Ronald Eric Thomas, born April 1924, Ipswich.

Bernard Maurice Thomas, born 1927, Ipswich – died April 1928, Ipswich.

Graham Ernest Thomas, born 1929, Ipswich.

Margaret Eileen Thomas, born 1934, Ipswich.

ENGLAND and WALES REGISTER 1939

Thomas was a General Labourer and an Air Raid Precautions – I.S.A. He lived with his wife and children at their family home – 503, Nacton Road, Ipswich.

Caroline Thomas, unpaid Domestic Duties.

George Thomas, a Girder Plater.

Ronald Thomas, a General Labourer.

Graham Thomas.

Margaret Thomas.

Caroline Thomas died in 1944, Ipswich.