Joseph Thomas

He was attached from 4th Reserve Bn Yorkshire Regiment and committed suicide by shooting whilst on guard duty at the Sutton Bonnington Prisoner of War Camp. 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.