FREDERICK GEORGE THOMAS 

Chester Observer, Saturday, January 20, 1917.

Chester Soldiers Fate.

Official news has been received that Lance Corporal F.G. Thomas 12021, Cheshire Regiment, who was posted missing on October 3^rd, 1915, must be presumed to have met his death on that date. The sympathy of the King and Queen and of the Army Council has been conveyed to the hero’s relatives, at 6, Charlotte street, off York Street, Chester. His sister is Mrs J Jones, 3 cable row, Saltney.

The 2^nd battalion were involved in the fighting around the Hohenzollern Redoubt during the Battle of Loos. 
1^st October to 3^rd October the battlion were involved in the heavy fight fighting that took place around the west face. Below is the transcript from the battalion war diary. Frederick was one of the 166 men listed as missing.

Trenches Hohenzollern Redoubt

5.30am 1^st October

Relief completed

7am Heavy fire from trench mortars and aerial torpedoes. 2^nd Lieuts Rimington and Hartley No.1 Coy. killed, 2^nd Lieut Jones, bombing officer wounded. Enemy gained a footing between a company of the Northumberland Fusiliers South West of the Redoubt.

12 noon. 2^nd Lieut McGregor, commanding No.2. company killed. Capt. Freeman, acting adjutant was sent forward to command No.2. company.

6pm No.1. company Captain Ogden was relieved by No.4. company, Captain Lloyd.

8pm. No.3. company Captain Maxwell was brought forward from the support trench to take part in an attack with No.4. company on the CHORD, a strong trench running North to South across the Hohenzollern Redoubt. Attack was partially successful. 2^nd Lieut Cameron, No.4. company was wounded.

5am 2^nd October

The enemy bombarded the two companies holding the West Face of the Hohenzollern redoubt with bombs, trench mortars and aerial torpedoes. Bombardment was continued throughout the day.

12 Midnight. No.1. company supported the Suffolk regiment in an attack on the North West Face of the Redoubt, attack failed. Captain Ogden (Durham L.I.) and 2^nd Lieut Raikes were wounded. 2^nd Lieut Cole re-joined the battalion on having completed a course in the use of the Lewis gun. Two Lewis guns were brought with him into the redoubt.

Enemy continued bombardment throughout the night.

7.30am 3^rd October

Captain Freeman was sent to command a part of the Northumberland Fusiliers on the South West of the Redoubt, the two officers of this party having been wounded.

Enemy bombing incessantly.

7.45am

The enemy delivered an unexpected attack on the left with bombs and machine guns and eventually turned it, the battalion fought well but were driven back. The enemy occupied the West Face.

WEST FACE

Of the Hohenzollern Redoubt. Major Hill and Captain Lloyd were killed, 2^nd Lieuts Paton, Norris and Aldersey wounded, 2^nd Lieuts Cove and Birch missing.

Casualties from the 30^th September to 3^rd October both dates inclusive

Officers, 5 Killed, 7 wounded, 2 missing

Other ranks, 43 killed, 153, wounded, 166, missing

5pm 3^rd October

Battalion was withdrawn to Vermelles and slept.

 

The battalion took up the reserve trenches at 11am on October 4^th. The following day 5^th October they were relieved by the Middlesex Regiment. This was their last action on the Western Front, they spent the next couple of weeks training and on October 24^th arrived in Marseilles and embarked on the S.S. Ivernia for Alexandria.