In memory of Peter James Thomas
Peter James Thomas (Jim) was born in Rhyl on 24 November 1899, writes Ruth Pritchard. His father was blacksmith Richard Henry (Harry) Thomas and his mother was Violet, née Dowle. Jim was brought up in Windsor Street with his younger sisters Violet and Gladys. He attended Christ Church School and Clwyd Street School.
In June 1915, aged 15, he joined training ship HMS Powerful. His rating is recorded as Boy 2. He then joined training ship HMS Ganges and became a “Signal Boy”. His Navy records give his height as 5’ (152.5cm), his chest measurement as 30.5 inches (77.5cm) and his complexion as “fresh”. His occupation was listed as “Boy Scout” and apparently he was used as a runner by the military between various camps in the Rhyl area.
In December 1915 he joined HMS Invincible, the world’s first battlecruiser. He was killed in action, aged 16, during the greatest naval battle of the First World War – The Battle of Jutland. The date was 31 May 1916, his younger sister’s 7th birthday. More than 1,000 crew died with the ship’s sinking.
Although he has no grave he is remembered here on the Rhyl War Memorial and also on the Plymouth Naval Memorial.
Back to original listing page