Career
Thomas joined the British Army and was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant into the Royal Regiment of Artillery in 1912 and served in World War I. He was appointed Deputy Director for Recruiting and Organisation at the War Office in 1939 and then Director of Organisation at the War Office in 1940. During World World War II he became General Officer Commanding (GOC) 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division in March 1942 and led his division throughout the campaign in North-West Europe, from June 1944 until May 1945. He was closely involved in Operation Berlin to rescue the British 1st Airborne Division once Allied Forces had been overwhelmed at the Battle of Arnhem in September 1944.
Thomas was temporarily given command of XXX Corps by Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery during the Battle of the Bulge.
He took over from Brian Horrocks who was being sent back to England for a rest. After the Second World War he was appointed GOC I Corps District within British Army of the Rhine in 1945 and then Administrator for the Polish Forces under British Command in 1947.
He became General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Anti-Aircraft Command in 1948 and Quartermaster-General to the Forces in 1950. He retired in 1952. These are as follows:.
