Joseph Thomas
He had worked as a dock labourer.
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Joseph Thomas was born in 1878 at Bloomfield, Staffordshire, he was the son of John an iron worker and Emma Thomas and the brother of Annie (later Cadman), Edward, Elijah and Josiah Thomas.
His father John was born in 1843 at Bloomfield, Staffordshire, his mother Emma was born in 1852 in Shropshire, his sister Annie was born in 1871 at Bloomfield, Staffordshire his brother Edward was born in 1876 in Bloomfield and brother Elijah was born in 1879 in Staffordshire
In 1881, they lived at 11, Princess Street, Thornby, South Stockton, Yorkshire and in 1891 at 10, Norton Place, Thornby along with Annie's husband John R Cadman.
Private Joseph Thomas served as Joseph Hart with the 156th Protection Company, Royal Defence Corps, he was attached from 4th Reserve Bn Yorkshire Regiment, he died on 25th November 1918, having committed suicide by shooting himself whilst on guard duty at the Sutton Bonnington Prisoner of War Camp. He is buried at Sutton Bonnington (St Michael) Churchyard Extension
Nottingham Journal and Express, 27th November 1918:
'CAMP TRAGEDY
A Soldier Found Shot in Sentry-box.
A private of the Royal Defence Corps named Joseph Thomas (43) was found shot through the head in No. 5 sentry-box at the Prisoner of War Camp, Sutton Bonnington on Monday. [25th November 1918]
When discovered by a comrade named Henry Dutton, deceased was in a sitting position, his rifle across his knees, his bayonet in his right hand, and it was apparent he had released the trigger with the point of his bayonet.
Thomas, who was former dock labourer, had had an impediment in his speech, and he left this note:— “Here ends the life of Joseph Thomas. It has been the hardest life that ever any men had all through his speech. I have been a coward from the cradle; £5 10s. to bury me with.” This sum was found on him.
At the inquest, held at Sutton Bonnington yesterday afternoon, [26th November 1918] a verdict of “Suicide while of unsound mind” was returned.'
Above article is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
Thanks to Peter Gillings for this identification.
Photo of Joseph Thomas
Sutton Bonnington churchyard