Born at Broughton Creek (inland from Gerringong), Thomas was the 2nd of 5 children to Thomas and Hannah (nee Trenbath) McIntyre. His next of kin is listed as his wife, T. McIntyre of Jaspers Brush (near Berry), Shoalhaven.
The 13th Battalion was raised just six weeks after the start of the war in late September 1914, drawing manpower from NSW. Working as a Carpenter, Thomas enlisted with 13th Battalion ‘D’ Company on the 25th of September 1914, aged 27 years 6 months. The battalion undertook training at the ANZAC Rifle Range in Long Bay, Sydney and Broadmeadows and Williamstown in Melbourne. Embarking aboard the ‘HMAT A38 Ulysses’ in Melbourne on the 22nd of December the Battalion arrived in Egypt in February 1915.
On the 12th of April, the 13th Battalion boarded for Gallipoli at Alexandria and took part in the Landing at Anzac Cove, arriving late on 25 April 1915. For the first four months, between May and August, they undertook defensive operations as the Anzacs attempted to establish themselves on the narrow beachhead that had been captured on the peninsula. During this time on the 25th of June Thomas reported sick to hospital, rejoining his unit on the 27th of June. On the 8th of August, an attempt was made to break out from this position and the battalion took part in a costly, and only partially successful, attack on Hill 971. Later in the month, on the 27th of August, they were involved in another attack, this time on Hill 60, during which they suffered further casualties. After this the 13th Battalion was mainly used in a defensive role.
On the 22nd of November Thomas again reported sick, suffering jaundice and on the 12th of December boarded ‘HS Oxfordshire’ arriving at Alexandria 2 days later and was admitted to 3rd Auxiliary Hospital, Heliopolis. On the 31st he was transferred to Helouan Convalescent Depot. On his release from Helouan, he was admitted to O/Seas Base, Gezirah on the 7th of January 1916 and then A Details, Zeituon on the 4th of March rejoining his unit at Tel el Kabir the same day. As a part of an expansion to the AIF at this time, the 13th Battalion was split to provide a cadre of soldiers who had served at Gallipoli to provide experienced men to the newly raised 45th Battalion. Six days after his return to the 13th he was transferred to the 45th Battalion and on the 2nd of April, Thomas was promoted to Sergeant.
Boarding the ‘TS Kinfaus-Castle’ st Alexandria on the 2nd of June, the 45th Battalion arrived at Marseilles on the 8th and moved north to join other units of II Anzac Corps, On the 25th of July, 16 Thomas was again promoted ‘in the field’ to 2nd Lieutenant. Their first major battle came at Pozières in August, where the battalion undertook a defensive role, holding ground that had been captured by the Australian 2nd Division earlier.
Later, while spending a period behind the lines near Ypres in Belgium Thomas completed 6 days of training at Mine School. Returning to his unit on the 5th of February 1917, he was immediately promoted to Lieutenant. On the 9th of February Thomas reported sick to the 12th Australian Field Ambulance with mumps and was transferred to Kecourt Rest Station He was discharged to duty on the 26th of February and rejoined his unit the same day.
During the Battle of Bullecourt, which commenced on the 11th of April, the battalion was held back in reserve and did not take part in the fighting. However, the battalion suffered heavy casualties during the Battles of Messines between the 7th and the 14th of June. On the 12th of June Thomas was reported missing, believed wounded on the 10th and on the 14th was again reported, this time as ‘Killed in Action’, Belgium, 10 June 1917.
Personal effects returned home from the front was: One Valis containing Leather Purse, 4 Tie Pins, 2 Coins, 1 Cap Comforter, 1 S.D. Tunic, 1 Sam Brown Belt, 1 Collar, 1 Tie, 2 Note Books, 1 Trench Coat.
Interestingly, W.H. Young of Barrington Street, Gloucester and the Secretary of the Grand United Order of Oddfellows made inquiry of the details of the deaths of Thomas and S. Tibbenham on the 12th of September 1917.
