Name
Wilfred Patrick Otto Thomas
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
01/07/1916
20
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Second Lieutenant
York and Lancaster Regiment
9th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BLIGHTY VALLEY CEMETERY, AUTHUILLE WOOD
IV. E. 1.
France
Headstone Inscription
HE HATH OUTSOARED THE SHADOW OF OUR NIGHT
UK & Other Memorials
Harpenden Town Memorial, Hurstpierpoint College, Hassocks, West Surrey
Pre War
Wilfrid Patrick Otto was born in Bethnal Green, London to Harry Otto Thomas, a produce merchant, and Maggie Ramsay (nee Bishop).
On the 1901 Census the family were residing at Eastern road, Kemp Town, Brighton. By the 1911 Census the family were living at Longroft Road, Harpenden, (Harry Otto was an advertising manager for a newspaper). Wilfrid was educated at Hurstpierpoint College, Surrey.
Wartime Service
Wilfrid was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant (Temporary) on 22 Dec 1914 and assigned to York and Lancaster Regiment. Wilfrid went France on 28 Dec 1915 joining 9th (Service) Battalion, York & Lancaster.
He was killed in action on the 1 Jul 1916, as the 21st Division launched their attack west of Albert. It was reported that he died leading his men.
Additional Information
His father, Mr O. Thomas, 'Byways', Ayres End, Harpenden, ordered his headstone inscription: "HE HATH OUTSOARED THE SHADOW OF OUR NIGHT". War gratuity of £6 and arrears of £66 9s 10d paid to father.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild, Mary Skinner, Harpenden & District Local History Society (www.harpenden-history.org.uk)
