7 Mathew Henry THOMAS + Marianne Theresa SKINNER [Parents] 1 on 23 Aug 1864, She was born on 20 Nov 1839 in Colombo, Ceylon. She died 2 on 8 Feb 1901 in St. Giles, London, Middlesex, England. She was buried in Kensal Green, London, England
Census U.K. 1851: age 11, scholar at school in Stoke Damerel, Devonshire with her younger brother George.
Census U.K. 1861: Maria T. Skinner, age 21, Visitor in Wimbledon Surrey of family Boustead (Head: John Boustead, born Ceylon ab. 1823)
Census 1881: Marian T. Thomas, Oakfield, Underskiddaw, Cumberland
Photo in our possession of her grave marked J.S. Farley, Kensal Green nº38470
" Sacred to the memory of Marian Theresa wife of M.H. Thomas, J.P. of oonoocacalla (Oonoongalla), Ceylon
and daughter of the late Major Thomas Skinner CMG and his wife Georgina daughter of General Burrell
Born November 20th 1839. died February 8th 1901"
Mathew Henry THOMAS [Parents] 1 was born in 1837 in Camberwell, London, Middlesex, England. He died on 28 Jan 1915. He was buried on 1 Feb 1915 in Bathwick Cemetary, Bath, Somerset, England. He married 2 Marianne Theresa SKINNER on 23 Aug 1864.
Census 1881: Propriator of Coffee Plantations In Ceylon (Mks Of Agric) Dwelling: Oakfield Census Place: Underskiddaw, Cumberland, England Family History Library Film 1342247 <Public Records Office Reference RG11 Piece / Folio 5170 / 88 Page Number 3.
He might have been the elder son of Lt. Gen. Henry Thomas C.B., but I have been unable to find a link so far.For Oakfield, see: http://www.hometown.aol.com/geoffstaceyuk/oakfield.htm and http://www.cumbrian-cottages.co.uk/garthcot1.htm
His son Jocelyn was born in Oakfield in 1868.Although he was born in Middlesex according to the 1881 census, he must have spent most of his life in Ceylon (his wife was born there, and so were six of his seven children, and I suspect he might have married in Colombo in 1864). The family money came from shares of Galheeria Estates, a tea plantation in centre Ceylon. He was J.P. of Oonoongalla, Madulkelle, Ceylon
Not mentioned as member of the Planters Association in year ending Feb. 1857.
Member of Ceylon's Planters Association in year ending Feb. 1859: Thomas, M.H., Kandy. In 1859-1860: Member of the Commitee of the Planters Association (note, he was only 22 years old!!!)
In Ferguson Ceylon Directory 1871-1872: Thomas M.H.
* Justice of the Peace for the Island
* Partner of Alstone, Scott & Co., Slave Island, Colombo: Partners: Hector Cross Buchanan & Matthew Henry Thomas. Alstone & Co owned 2 coffee mills in Hunupittia and Borella, employing 350 people each, and were the agent for several properties owned by M. H. Thomas (Galheria, Madoolkelle).
* Ceylon Turf Club
* Colombo ClubYear of death: Draft for Burkes companionage, hand written by his son Henry Melville Thomas circa 1935: ... Parentage: Mathew Henry Thomas of Madulkelle Ceylon m.1864 ... and d. 1915 leaving issue.
They had the following children:
8 M i Lt. Arthur H. THOMAS [scrapbook] 1 was born about 1866 in Colombo, Ceylon. He died 2 on 6 Oct 1900 in Bultfontein, South Africa.
Was a scholar in 1881 census, boarder at Harrow, age 15.
Harrow School Sep 1879 - Xmas 1883; School shooting VIII in 1882.
Killed in the Boer War.
Queen's South African Medal with 4 clasps: Diamon Hill, Johannesburg, Driefontein, Cape Colony. Engraved: "Lieut. A.H. Thomas Ceylon M.I."
THOMAS - Lieutenant Arthur H. - Ceylon Mounted Infantry Died at Bultfontein. 6th October 1900. A Fellow of the Royal Colonial Institute. Lieut. Thomas was killed "shot through the heart" while serving as Assistant Commissioner, Bultfontein. Memorial in The Military Headquarters, Kandy (Ceylon / Sri Lanka) - "In memoriam - Lieut. Arthur A. Thomas [sic], W. Max Kelly, C. Campion, Q. M. Sgt. Cheyne, A. S. Hopper, K. Hamilton, Claude C. Bell, N. W. Smellie. This Memorial was designed by Mrs. Thomas, wife of Edward Hector Le Marchant Thomas, a brother of Lieutenant Thomas."
See http://www.lib.sun.ac.za/roh/roh.exe?MenuItem=Person&PersonNumber=30799:
Ceylon Contingent Memorial This memorial was erected opposite the 'Mahamaluwa' (Esplanade) in commemoration of the services of the Ceylon Contingent in South Africa, 1900 - 1902 and unveiled by Field Marshal H. R. H. the Duke of Connaught, K. G., G. C. M. G. March 18, 1907." In memoriam - Lieut. Arthur, A. Thomas, W. Max Kelly, C. Campion, Q. M., St. Cheyne, A. S. Hopper, K. Hamilton, Claude C. Bell, N. W. Smellie. This Memorial was designed by Mrs. Thomas, wife of Edward Hector Le Marchant Thomas, a brother of Lieutenant Thomas. It represents a trooper of the Ceylon Mounted Infantry giving the signal 'enemy is in sight.' This statue was pulled down in an undergraduate protest in the 1960's and never re-instated. Now this Memorial is kept in the compound of the Military Headquarters in Kandy. Randolph Jones kjones@worldonline.co.za
NASA Pretoria. Lord Roberts’ Papers, Volume 10 ff. 121-134. (WO 105/11 T/40/22): Captain C. G. Henty, Officer Commanding Troops, Bultfontein, to Chief Staff Officer, Bloemfontein. Bultfontein, 5 October 1900. Fight at Hammones Fontein Farm near Bultfontein [Orange River Colony]. … six mounted police under Assistant Commissioner Thomas. … by this time Lieutenant Thomas was mortally wounded … Lieutenant H. A. Thomas, Ceylon Mounted Infantry, Assistant Commissioner Bultfontein, killed, (shot through the heart). I much regret the loss of Lieutenant Thomas. He was deservedly popular and at his funeral all classes exhibited unfeigned grief and much sorrow has been expressed by farmers in the district on hearing of his death. NASA Pretoria. Lord Roberts’ Papers Volume 10 ff. 121-134. (WO 105/11 T/40/22): Lieutenant-General T. K. Kenny, Commanding Troops to the Military Secretary. Bloemfontein, 12 October 1900. The losses on this occasion, I regret particularly that of the death of Lieutenant Thomas, Aide de Camp, a very promising officer. T. K Kenny, Lieutenant General Commanding Troops.8 F ii Marion K. THOMAS was born about 1867. 8 M iii Capt. Edward Hector Le Marchant THOMAS was born about 1868. He died after 1926. 8 M iv Jocelyn Hume THOMAS was christened on 9 Nov 1868. He died after 1926. 8 M v Brig. Henry Melville THOMAS was born on 26 Jan 1870. He died on 28 May 1940. 8 F vi Helen T. THOMAS 1, 2 was born in 1872 in Nuwara Eleya, Ceylon. She died about 1956 in Petersfield, Hampshire, England.
spinster
Census 1901: Edward H., Jocelyn, Flo & Helen where visitors at 64, Newton Hall, Whittington, Lancashire. Head of family: North North
The Misses Thomas lived in Petersfield, Hants. in the mid-fifties (where the family visited them, direct source)8 F vii Florence A. THOMAS 1, 2 was born in 1874 in Nuwara Eleya, Ceylon.
spinster
Census 1901: Edward H., Jocelyn, Flo & Helen where visitors at 64, Newton Hall, Whittington, Lancashire. Head of family: North North
The Misses Thomas lived in Petersfield, Hants. in the mid-fifties (where the family visited them, direct source)
7 Thomas Edward Burnes SKINNER [Parents] 1 was born about 1842 in Ceylon. He died 2 in Sep 1902 in Guildford, Surrey, England. He married Sophia. Sophia was born about 1846 in Malta
Was in the Civil service in Ceylon, 1860-1896 retiring as Postmaster General.
List of Inscriptions on tombstones & monuments in Ceylon: pp. 124-5: Christ Church, Galle Face, Colombo
No. 404, 1866 Georgina Skinner
"".... Lt-Col. Burrell was in command of the 18th Royal Irish Regiment in Ceylon in the thirties. His daughter married Capt. T. Skinner, Ceylon Rifles, then acting as Surveyor-General, at Colombo on Dec. 19, 1838.
Their son, Thomas Skinner, was in the Ceylon Civil Service, 1860-1896, retiring as Postmaster General.""Toussaint, J.R.: Annals of the Ceylon Civil Service:
Toussaint says of T.E.B. Skinner that he was b. ca 1841, joined the fiscal department in Kandy in 1896 and was described as "most energetic". Postmaster General for 24 years; retired in 1896 age 55. d. 1902 after some years of illness.Census England 1901: Age 59; Visitor in a hotel in Cornwall, St Minver Lowlands; Civil Service Retired. With possible wife Sophia, age 55, born Malta abt. 1846.
7 Col. Monier Williams SKINNER [Parents] 1, 2, 3, 4 was born in 1850 in Ceylon. He married Elizabeth Dorcas LITTON on 6 Dec 1881 in Ireland.
Royal Engineers: Lt. 4 January 1871. Service in Ashanti 1873-74. Captain 4 January 1883. Major 17 April 1889. Lt. Col. 6 August 1896. Colonel 6 August 1900.
Census 1861: Walcot, Bath, Somerset. age 11, Scholar, with his mother Georgina Skinner, brother William and sister Harriet. Name given as MAURICE W:
Census 1891: Guildford, Surrey, England. Major Royal Engineers
Census 1901: Fort George, St. Peter Port, Guernsey, Channel Islands. Colonel Royal Engineers with wife Elizabeth, and all their childrenResidence - Newton Abbott, Devonshire, England.
Elizabeth Dorcas LITTON [Parents] 1 was born about 1857 in Ardvalling, Cork, Ireland. She married Col. Monier Williams SKINNER on 6 Dec 1881 in Ireland.
They had the following children:
8 F i Aileen SKINNER was born in 1883 in Kensington, Middlesex, England. 8 M ii Edward Litton SKINNER was born in 1885. 8 M iii Monier Leland SKINNER was born in Mar 1887. 8 F iv Ethnie SKINNER was born in 1888 in Kensington, Middlesex, England. 8 M v Arthur SKINNER was born in 1892 in England. 8 F vi Violet SKINNER was born in 1897 in England.
8 Marion K. THOMAS + [Parents] 1, 2 was born about 1867 in Colombo, Ceylon. She married Lt. Francis John HADDEN about 1887.
Census 1881: Underskiddaw, Cumberland with her parents
Census 1901: Marian H. Hadden, age 34, Cuckfield, Haywards Heath, Sussex, England. with daughter Freda age 12.
They had the following children:
9 M i Thomas Harvey HADDEN 9 F ii Freda HADDEN was born in 1888. Freda HADDEN [Parents] 1 was born in 1888 in Scarborough, Yorkshire, England. She married J.W. PICKERING. Census 1901: Age 12, living in Haywards Heath, Sussex, England wit her mother Marian H. Hadden 9 M iii Lt Arthur HADDEN 1 was born in 1892. He died on 8 Mar 1916 in Mesopotamia.
Lieutenant ARTHUR HADDEN, MC Indian Army Reserve of Officers attd., 53rd Sikhs (Frontier Force) who died age 23 on 08 March 1916 Son of the late Lt. Francis J. Hadden (42nd Remount Sqdn.), of Ceylon, and of May Hadden, of 17, Empire House, Thurloe Place, London. Remembered with honour BASRA MEMORIAL: The Basra Memorial bears the names of more than 40,500 members of the Commonwealth forces who died in the operations in Mesopotamia from the Autumn of 1914 to the end of August 1921 and whose graves are not known.9 M iv Jack HADDEN 1 was born in 1901. He died about 1928.
8 Capt. Edward Hector Le Marchant THOMAS [Parents] 1, 2 was born about 1868 in Colombo, Ceylon. He died after 1926. He married 3, 4 Geraldine BLAKE on 5 Feb 1907 in Hereford, Herefordshire, England.
Harrow School Sep 1882 - Easter 1883
Census 1901: Edward H., Jocelyn, Flo & Helen where visitors at 64, Newton Hall, Whittington, Lancashire. Head of family: North North
Present in 1926 at the funeral of his sister in law Dorothy (w. of Henry Melville Thomas) in Cheltenham. Source: Obituary.
Geraldine BLAKE [Parents] 1, 2, 3 was born in 1877 in Thurston, Suffolk, England. She married 4, 5 Capt. Edward Hector Le Marchant THOMAS on 5 Feb 1907 in Hereford, Herefordshire, England.
England 1881 Census: age 4. Lived in Kensington, London, with her parents & sisters Adeline A. & Catherine M.
England 1901 Census: age 24. Ladies Club, Chelsea, Holy Trinity, London, aged 24, Art Student
8 Jocelyn Hume THOMAS [Parents] 1 was christened 2 on 9 Nov 1868 in Oakfield, Crostwaithe, Cumberland, England. He died after 1926. He married May AGAR about 1907. (1210)
Harrow School 1883
Census 1901: Edward H., Jocelyn, Flo & Helen where visitors at 64, Newton Hall, Whittington, Lancashire. Head of family: North North
Present in 1926 at the funeral of his sister in law Dorothy (w. of Henry Melville Thomas)in Cheltenham. Source: Obituary.
Of Talawakelle, Ceylon in his father's obituary (1915)
http://www.talawakelleteas.com/
May AGAR [Parents] was born after 1878. She married Jocelyn Hume THOMAS about 1907.
Letter to Hood [Mrs. H.H. Cameron], dated Feb. 26 [no year, possibly 1907?] from Geraldine Thomas, GOH, Colombo mentions: “...we landed this afternoon and Jocelyn met us and told us that Ted had got Hunugalla....” “...Mr. Thomas writes that though it was against his advice, he now thinks Ted did right not to delay his marriage....” “...Jocelyn is engaged to May Agar....”
They had the following children:
9 F i Barbara THOMAS. 9 M ii Henry THOMAS.
8 Brig. Henry Melville THOMAS C.M.G., D.S.O., R.A. [Parents] [scrapbook] 1 was born on 26 Jan 1870 in Ceylon. He died on 28 May 1940 in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England. He was buried on 1 Jun 1940 in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England Grave B1/2242. He married 2 Dorothy Violet Hope RAWSON on 20 Jan 1904 in Carlow, Ireland.
Other marriages: POTTINGER, Mary
Brigadier General Royal Artillery, CMG, DSO, R.A.
Born 1870 in Ceylon; Pupil at Temple Grove Grammar school, Mortlake, Surrey, England in 1881
Debrett's companionage 1924 & 1932 "Col. R.A., retired as Hon. Brig.-Gen, 1920; S. African War 1899-1902 (despatches, Queen's medal with four clasps, King's medal with two clasps), European War 1914-18 (despatches, C.M.G. , D.S.O., Brevet Col.): m.1895 May, who d. 1897, da. of Lieut.-Gen. B.H. Pottinger, 2ndly 1904, Dorothy, da. of E.A. Rawson , of Barrowville, Carlow; cr. C.M.G. 1917, D.S.O. 1918."
Lived in Cumberland, Armathwaite, Keswick (http://64.106.212.14/hotel_index.htm#)
The coat of arm of his family was confirmed to him in 1938 by King Georges VI (the original grant is in our possession). He was at that time retired and living in Hampton House, Bathampton, County of Somerset, England.From Hugh Casement:
In the 1881 census Henry M. Thomas, age 11 and b. in Ceylon, was at Temple Grove Grammar School, Mortlake, Surrey. I'm sure that was a private school, not a state-run lycée.
Kane's army list for 1900 states: cadet RA 2 Sep. 1887; 2nd Lt 15 Feb. 1889 age
19 years 1 month; Lt 15 Feb. 1892. Served in India from Oct. 1889.From WO [War Office] records at the Public Record Office:
b. 26 Jan. 1870. On detachment at Shoeburyness 1899; Capt. 9 Oct. 1899; served in South Africa as special operations officer and later railway staff officer, Orange Free State, Feb.-May 1900 (despatches gazetted 10 Sep. 1901, Queen's SA medal + 2 clasps, King's SA medal + 2 clasps); brevet Maj. 29 Nov. 1900; Maj. 4 May 1905; Lt Col. 30 Oct. 1914; served in France as acting Brig. 12th division 24 June 1917 - 24 Mar. 1919; brevetCol. 3 June 1918; Col. 30 Apr. 1920; retired as hon. Brig. CMG 1917, DSO 1918.Dorothy Violet Hope RAWSON [Parents] was born 1 on 6 Apr 1880 in Ireland. She died on 23 Mar 1926 in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England. She was buried on 27 Mar 1926 in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England Grave B1/2241. She married 2 Brig. Henry Melville THOMAS on 20 Jan 1904 in Carlow, Ireland.
Copy of her obituary on file:
Obituary Mrs. H.M. Thomas, St. Matthews Church, Cheltenham, 30/03/1926The mourners were:
Gen. Thomas (Husband)
Patty Thomas (daughter) Patricia
Mrs Graham (Margaret Grace, Patty's mother in law)
Mrs. Anderson (sister) Norah
Mrs. Dickenson (sister) Deborah ?
Mrs. Wanklyn (sister) Marjorie
Col. & Mrs. Rawson (brother)
Capt. & Mrs. Cripps (her sister Olive's daughter)
The Misses Thomas (Helen & Florence)
Mr. J.H. Thomas (Jocelyn Hume)
Capt. E. H. L. Thomas (Edward Hector Le Marchant)
Mr. D. E. Johnstone (David Edward, Uncle)
General F. Johnstone
Mrs & Miss Johnstone.Flowers:
Mamie;
Harry, Patty and Bobbie (cross)
Mamie;
Bobbie; Robert Jocelyn Henry Thomas
Patty; Marianne Agnes Patricia Thomas
Bob; Robert Ian Rawson? (her brother)
Tom, Norah, and Alison; -> Morrison-Low
Olive; -> Dickinson
Bill; possibly Margaret Grace Graham (nicknamed Billy)
Marjorie; -> Wanklyn
Ned and Lena;
Frank, Edith, and Gladys; possibly Frank Hadden, m. Marion Thomas
Lily and Hope Tatham;
Kathleen and Douglas; Graham
Bose;
Bob and Norah;
Mother;
Ted and Geraldine; Edward H.L.M. Thomas
Helen and Flo; Thomas
Jocelyn and Mai; Jocelyn Thomas
Mrs Rathborne, Douglas Margaret Grace Graham or Bella Grace Rathborne, her mother
Colonel and Mrs. Duncan Carter;
General and Mrs. Hume;
Dr. Grace Billings;
Mrs. Beerton;They had the following children:
9 M i Maj. Robert Jocelyn Henry THOMAS was born on 7 Oct 1905. He died on 18 Apr 1941. 9 F ii Marianne Agnes Patricia THOMAS was born on 29 Sep 1908. She died on 3 Jan 1992.
9 Maj. Robert Jocelyn Henry THOMAS [Parents] [scrapbook] 1 was born on 7 Oct 1905. He died on 18 Apr 1941 in Tobruk, Libya. He married Mary Vavasour LLOYD HEYMAN on 2 Nov 1938.
Major, M.V.O (Member Victorian Order)
Royal Horse Artillery, 4 th rgt.
Service n.º: 33373
Killed in action in TobrukBrookwood Memorial, Surrey, England
Mary Vavasour LLOYD HEYMAN [Parents].Mary married Maj. Robert Jocelyn Henry THOMAS on 2 Nov 1938
9 Marianne Agnes Patricia THOMAS [Parents] was born on 29 Sep 1908 in Bengalore, Misore, India. She was christened in St Mark, Bengalore, India. She died on 3 Jan 1992 in Monchique, Portugal. She was buried in Monchique, Portugal. She married + Brig. William Douglas Mcneill GRAHAM DSO, OBE, RA on 3 Jun 1931 in Brompton, London, England.
They had the following children:
10 M i John Angus Mcneill GRAHAM was born on 14 Apr 1932. He died on 7 Aug 1993. 10 M ii Michael Henry Thomas GRAHAM was born on 14 Sep 1933. He died on 5 May 2004. 10 M iii Douglas Ian Mcneill GRAHAM was born on 18 Jul 1940. 10 F iv Patricia Ann Margaret GRAHAM was born on 23 Aug 1945.
1 Thomas
2 Thomas
3 William THOMAS (Abt 1701-1800) + Anne (Abt 1705-1770)
4 William THOMAS, Christened: 4 Dec 1727, St John Baptist, Hereford, England
4 Elizabeth THOMAS, 1732-1732, Christened: 2 Mar 1732, St John Baptist, Hereford, England, Buried: 26 Mar 1732, St John Baptist, Hereford, England
4 Matthew THOMAS + Sarah ROGERS
5 Sarah THOMAS+
5 Mary THOMAS, Christened: 17 Apr 1761, All Saints, Hereford, England
6 Matthew THOMAS (1766-1811) + Maria Neale SCARLETT (1767-Abt 1837)
6 William Henri THOMAS (1798-1855) + Eliza HATHWAY (1800-1891) (d/o Thomas HATHWAY (1774-1830) & Hannah (-) )
7 William Henry THOMAS + Elizabeth WHITE
8 Rvd. William Henry THOMAS + Margaret COLLARD
8 Hugh Kerr THOMAS + Mabel Mary GASH
7 Mathew Henry THOMAS + Marianne Theresa SKINNER
8 Marion K. THOMAS + Lt. Francis John HADDEN
8 Capt. Edward Hector Le Marchant THOMAS
8 Jocelyn Hume THOMAS + May AGAR (1210)
8 Brig. Henry
Melville THOMAS C.M.G., D.S.O., R.A. +
Mary POTTINGER
9
Maj. Robert Jocelyn Henry THOMAS
9 Marianne Agnes Patricia THOMAS + Brig. William Douglas Mcneill GRAHAM DSO, OBE, RA
10 Michael Henry Thomas GRAHAM + May Denise MACANDREW
11 Angus Duncan Neil GRAHAM + Giulia Patricia Sofia GRAHAM
10 Douglas Ian
Mcneill GRAHAM + Anne Marie BOYS
11 Sophie
GRAHAM + Jonathan BARTON
12 Joss
BARTON
12 Islay BARTON
11 Claire
GRAHAM + Paul
ROBERTS
12 Michaela
ROBERTS
10 2nd spouse of Douglas Ian Mcneill GRAHAM + Christine Anne Dominique FERRAN
10 Patricia Ann Margaret GRAHAM+
8 2nd spouse of Brig. Henry Melville THOMAS C.M.G., D.S.O., R.A. + Dorothy Violet Hope RAWSON
Generation 3
William THOMAS
- Born: Abt 1701, Hereford, Herefordshire, England 258
- Marriage: Anne
- Buried: 3 Oct 1800, All Saints, Hereford, England
General Notes:
Steward of Arundel Castle?
William married Anne. (Anne was born about 1705 in Hereford, Herefordshire, England 258 and was buried on 18 Aug 1770 in All Saints, Hereford, England.)
Spouse: Anne
- Born: Abt 1705, Hereford, Herefordshire, England 258
- Marriage: William THOMAS
- Buried: 18 Aug 1770, All Saints, Hereford, England
Anne married William THOMAS. (William THOMAS was born about 1701 in Hereford, Herefordshire, England 258 and was buried on 3 Oct 1800 in All Saints, Hereford, England.)
Generation 4
William THOMAS, Christened: 4 Dec 1727, St John Baptist, Hereford, England
Elizabeth THOMAS, 1732-1732, Christened: 2 Mar 1732, St John Baptist, Hereford, England, Buried: 26 Mar 1732, St John Baptist, Hereford, England
Matthew THOMAS + Sarah ROGERS
- Christened: 3 Oct 1734, St John Baptist, Hereford, England
- Marriage: Sarah ROGERS on 16 May 1758 in St John Baptist, Hereford, England
- Died: Jul 1796 at age 61
General Notes:
Innkeeper of
All Saints parish in 1758. Sword bearer to Mayor. Freeman of Hereford 1760/1
EXTRACT FROM ' HEREFORD JOURNAL' DATED WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 1796.
On Wednesday died, in the 62d year of his age, Mr. Matthew Thomas, of the
Bowling Green, and Sword-bearer to the Mayor and Corporation, of this city.- He
was a man very generally known, and highly respected by all ranks. By early
reading, and a retentive memory, he became the pleasant companion of his
numerous friends; and his zeal was unbounded, whenever his exertions were likely
to promote the interest of the community, or the welfare of the individual.
EXTRACT FROM THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE FOR JULY, 1796.
July .9. In his 62d year, Mr. Matthew Thomas, many years master of the Bowling
green coffee-house, and sword-bearer to the mayor and corporation of Hereford.
He was a man generally known and respected by all ranks. By early reading and a
retentive memory he became the pleasant companion of his numerous friends; and
his zeal was unbounded wherever his exertions were likely to promote the
interests of the community, or the welfare of the individual.
Bowling Green public house, Site of Bewell Spring & possibly, the Mikveh:
It is believed Hereford had a mikveh, the ritual bath. These were
frequently of great depth as they had to be fed by a natural spring. Some six
medieval mikveh are known in Germany. At Worms nineteen stone steps give
access to the entrance hall and a further eleven to the mikveh itself. It
is possible that the Hereford mikveh was located to the north of Bewell
Street, only a hundred yards or so from the western end of Maylord Street. There
the requisite mixture of rain and added drawn water could have been easily
obtained.
Matthew married Sarah ROGERS on 16 May 1758 in St John Baptist, Hereford, England.
Spouse: Sarah ROGERS
- Marriage: Matthew THOMAS on 16 May 1758 in St John Baptist, Hereford, England
Sarah married Matthew THOMAS, son of William THOMAS and Anne, on 16 May 1758 in St John Baptist, Hereford, England. (Matthew THOMAS was christened on 3 Oct 1734 in St John Baptist, Hereford, England and died in Jul 1796.)
Generation 5
Sarah THOMAS
Mary THOMAS, Christened: 17 Apr 1761, All Saints, Hereford, England
Generation 6
Matthew THOMAS (1766-1811) + Maria Neale SCARLETT (1767-Abt 1837)
- Christened: 22 Jun 1766, St John Baptist, Hereford, England
- Marriage:
General Notes:
Draper,
Freeman of Hereford.
Came to London.
Matthew married Maria Neale SCARLETT, daughter of Nathaniel SCARLETT and Unknown, in 1794 in St Mary Woodchurch, Westminster, London, England. (Maria Neale SCARLETT was born in 1767 and died about Dec 1837 in Camberwell, London, Surrey 253.)
William Henri THOMAS (1798-1855) + Eliza HATHWAY (1800-1891) (d/o Thomas HATHWAY (1774-1830) & Hannah (-) )
Generation 7
William Henry THOMAS + Elizabeth WHITE
Mathew Henry THOMAS 7 + Marianne Theresa SKINNER
- Born: 1837, Camberwell, London, Middlesex, England
- Marriage: Marianne Theresa SKINNER on 23 Aug 1864 4
- Died: 28 Jan 1915 at age 78
- Buried: 1 Feb 1915, Bathwick Cemetary, Bath, Somerset, England
General Notes:
Census 1881:
Proprietor of Coffee Plantations In Ceylon (Mks Of Agric) Dwelling: Oakfield
Census Place: Underskiddaw, Cumberland, England Family History Library Film
1342247 <Public Records Office Reference RG11 Piece / Folio 5170 / 88 Page
Number 3.
For Oakfield, see: http://www.hometown.aol.com/geoffstaceyuk/oakfield.htm and
http://www.cumbrian-cottages.co.uk/garthcot1.htm
His son Jocelyn was born in Oakfield in 1868.
Although he was born in Middlesex according to the 1881 census, he spent most of
his life in Ceylon (his wife was born there, and so were six of his seven
children, and I suspect he might have married in Colombo in 1864). The family
money came from shares of Galheeria Estates, a tea plantation in centre Ceylon.
He was J.P. of Oonoongalla, Madulkelle, Ceylon
Not mentioned as member of the Planters Association in year ending Feb. 1857.
Member of Ceylon's Planters Association in year ending Feb. 1859: Thomas, M.H.,
Kandy. In 1859-1860: Member of the Commitee of the Planters Association (note,
he was only 22 years old!!!)
In Ferguson Ceylon Directory 1871-1872: Thomas M.H.
* Justice of the Peace for the Island
* Partner of Alstone, Scott & Co., Slave Island, Colombo: Partners: Hector Cross
Buchanan & Matthew Henry Thomas. Alstone & Co owned 2 coffe mills in Hunupittia
and Borella, employing 350 people each, and were the agent for several
properties owned by M. H. Thomas (Galheria, Madoolkelle).
* Ceylon Turf Club
* Colombo Club
_________________________________________________________________________
Year of death: Draft for Burkes companionage, hand written by his son Henry
Melville Thomas circa 1935: ... Parentage: Mathew Henry Thomas of Madulkelle
Ceylon m.1864 ... and d. 1915 leaving issue.
_________________________________________________________________________
THE TIMES OF CEYLON, MONDAY EVENING FEBRUARY 1, 1915
DEATH OF AN OLD COLONIST
Mr. M. H. Thomas.
Mr. Thomas was one of Ceylon's oldest colonists and left for Home about three
years ago. He had been ailing for some time, and the news of his death at the
age of about 79 will be received with genuine sorrow by all those who knew him.
Mr. Thomas, whose memory took him back to the early fifties, was originally in
business, and in 1874 was at Messrs. Alston Scotts & Co., Slave Island. He
afterwards took to planting, and spent the greater part of his career in the
Madulkelle district, where he acquired the well-known Galleheria Estate. He had
several sons in Ceylon, and three of them were members of the First Ceylon
Contingent for South Africa.
One of them, Lieutenant A. H. Thomas, was killed. Another Lieutenant E. H. L.
Thomas is at present at Home, and has enlisted for the Front, while Mr. J. H.
Thomas, of Talawakelle (?) is another son. There are two daughters in England.
Mr. Thomas came to Ceylon in March 1856, six months before Sir William Duff
Gibbon.
**********
THE BATH HERALD, MONDAY FEBRUARY 1, 1915
THE LATE MR. M. H. THOMAS
____________________________
Funeral at Bathwick
_____________________________
The funeral took place at Bathwick Cemetery this afternoon of Mr. M. H.
Thomas, of Priston Manor. The service was read by the Rev. B. C. L. Reade,
Rector of Charlcombe, and the rector of Bathwick (the Rev. C. Hylton-Stewart).
The remains were enclosed in a shell with an outer coffin of polished English
oak, with brass furniture, the inscription reading: "Matthew Henry Thomas, died
January 28, 1915. Aged 79." The internment was made near to the graves of Major
and Mrs. Skinner, the parents of the late Mrs. Thomas. Mr. Thomas, who had been
living at Priston Manor since 1911, leaves three sons and three daughters,
namely Captain Thomas, East Yorkshire Regiment, Mr. Jocelyn Thomas, who is tea
planting in Ceylon, Lieut. Colonel H. M. Thomas, R.F.A., Mrs Hadden, the wife of
Mr. F. J. Hadden, and the Misses Thomas.
There were many beautiful floral tributes, including a lovely anchor of
carnations, lilies, narcissus and Hyacinths, sent by the Priston parishioners
and Sewing Class; a beautiful wreath from the members of the Cricket Club (in
blue and white, the colours of the club), in which Mr. Thomas took much
interest, being president, and other flowers were sent by the Misses Thomas,
Mrs. And Miss Hadden; Mr. T.J. Hadden; Captain and Mrs. Thomas; Mr. & Mrs.
Jocelyn Thomas; Lieut. Colonel and Mrs. H. M. Thomas; outdoor and indoor
servants at the Manor (a fine wreath); Colonel and Mrs. and Miss Skinner; Mrs.
and the Misses McDonell; Mr. and Mrs. E.(?H?) L. Skinner; Dr. and Mrs. Begg; Mr.
and Mrs. Hill; Mr. and Mrs. Brymer; Mr. W. R. Alexander; Mr. J. Alexander; Mrs
and Miss McCoy; and many others.
Mr. T.G. Harding, Walcot sreet, carried out the funeral arrangements.
THE TIMES OF CEYLON, TUESDAY EVENING FEBRUARY 2, 1915
THE LATE MR. H. M. THOMAS
HIS CARRIER IN CEYLON
Former Planting M.L.C.
-----
Interesting Racing Reminiscences
With reference to the career of the late Mr. H. M. Thomas, whose death as
stated in last night's Times of Ceylon, took place at Bath, the veteran
planter came to Ceylon in March, 1856, and was thus, next to Sir William Twynam,
who came out in 1845, Mr. G. W. White of Nuwara Eliya, who came out in 1846, and
Mr Walter Agar, who came out in 1853, about one of the oldest Ceylon Colonist.
A special cable from London today tells us that Mr. Thomas was 79 years of age,
so that he must have been about 19 or 20 when he came out. He was originally in
business in Kandy, with Mr. L. H. Daniel per pro, and was the agent for the
Mercantile Fire Insurance Company, contemporary firms at Kandy in 1863 being H.
C. Bird & Co., Keir Dundas & Co. (of which Messrs. John Gavin, G. D. B. Harrison
and Martin leake were partners), A. Brown & Co. and Geo. Wall & Co.
In 1866, Mr. Thomas was one of the principal partners of the well known Colombo
firm of Alstons, Scott & Co., Mr. H. C. Buchanan being the senior partner; while
Mr. f. W. Bois joined the firm a few years later. Mr. Thomas was away from the
island for about 18 years before he returned and took up continuous residence in
1884. He owned the well known estate Oonoonagalla in Madulkelle, which he
managed till about 1902 or 1903, when he acquired Galleheria in the same
district, where he resided till his departure for home a few years ago.
One of the First Members of the P.A.
Mr. Thomas was one of the first members of the Planter's Association, and,
linked with still earlier days through his marriage with the daughter of Major
Skinner, the Road-maker, came out, as stated yesterday, about 6 months before
Sir William Duff Gibbon, who was at one time manager of Madulkelle and
Oonoonagalla, thanks to Mr. Thomas, who became his V. A. when Mr. R. B. Tytler
gave up the Agency. Mr. Thomas served on the P. A. Committee from about 1858 to
1864, and sat in Council in 1871 & 1872.
Mr. Thomas and the C.M.R.
On his return to the island Mr. Thomas did not take an active share in the
Association's proceedings; but the part he took , in conjunction with Captain
(now Colonel) S. G. Bird, of the Dublin Fusiliers, in suggesting the formation
of the C. M. I. deserves to be recorded here. Mr. Thomas himself enlisted most
of the first members, after his proposal had been sanctioned by Government, and
he made his last appearance at a Planter's Association to move the proposition
which made the corps its adopted child, and overcame, if it did not silence, the
opposition of Colombo Agents and V.A.s. Thus Mr. Thomas identified himself with
a movement of which the Colony has reason to be proud, though to him it must
always have been associated with the great sorrow of his life, as indicated
yesterday by the reference to the death of his son Lieut. A. H. Thomas, who,
with two other brothers, E. H. L. Thomas and J. C. Thomas, were members of the
First C.M.R. Contingent to South Africa.
Mr. Thomas was while in Ceylon a J. P. and Fellow of the Royal Colonial
Institute.
Interesting Racing Reminiscences
Mr. Thomas was one of the committee of the Ceylon Turf Club in the late sixties
and early seventies, and, in response to an application for some recllections of
sport in those days, of which we have no written records, he wrote in 1907 as
follows:
" Racing has been an annual institution in Ceylon from some time in the forties,
but I think it was the Bakers, or rather John Baker, as thorough an all-round
sportsman as ever live, who first imported English thoroughbreds for racing and
breeding purposes. He cut out a small circular training course round a hill
close to his house near Nuwara Eliya, where he used to train his own horses, and
what was more, generally ride them himself at the Colombo and Kandy races."
He left Ceylon in 1856 but returned to the island with Mrs. Baker some years
later, resuming residence at Magastotte, where he built a new bungalow. He was
to be seen occasionally riding his own horses up to within a few years of his
death, and must have been over sixty years old when he rode his last race on.
THE OLD "GALLE FACE" RACECOURSE,
And a nasty course it was -hard in dry weather, and sometimes very heavy going
in wet, with a couple of hundred yards of steep up and down at one end, and the
dangerous turn near the Garrison Cemetery, which it was always a relief to get
safely round, at the other. In the period from'55 to '65 the military and one or
two planters were the chief contributors to such sport as we had; but more than
one member of the Civil Service and of the mercantile community occasionally
showed their colours. Sometimes too, Indian stables were represented; indeed,
some of the best horses we ever had in those days were sent down by the
Arbuthnots and others. The 'planters' and military horses were for the most part
Arabs, and were trained and ridden by their owners, but weight for age and
class' races formed a part of every year's programme, and it was not considered
then, as it is now, impossible to bring Australians and Arabs together, probably
because Australians were far inferior and Arabs very much better than the class
of horses running now.
A Remarkable Race
"One instance at any rate may be recalled of an Arab beating three Australians
-one of them to the best of my recollection, a horse that had run that year for
the Viceroy's Cup in Calcutta. The Rajah of Ramnad presented a
hundred-guinea-cup -no rupees then- to be run for at the G. T. C. meet in
Colombo, and sent his own horse, a milk white Arab of 14.2 by name Nuseeb, to
complete for it. The distance was three miles. The horses started at a common
canter, and continued to keep that pace for half a rule, when the Australians
all began to draw away, leaving the Arab more and more behind. After a mile had
been covered, and while Nuseeb was quite a hundred yards in the rear, the
Australians again increased their pace, and were soon racing together in
earnest, with the result that as far as they were concerned, the race was over a
good mile from home, and the Arab quite 400 yards from them. The latter had by
this time been set going, however, and steadily decreased the space between them
till, when nearly half a mile still to go, he challenged the leading horse and
had him beaten a few hundred yards further on, cantering in an easy winner by
eight or nine lengths.
The Bright, Young, Regimental Subaltern
"I was at the Colombo races a few years ago and was struck with the very little
interest taken in them, notwithstanding the fine racecourse, the big fields
entered, the number of events, and the much larger amount of added money given.
Is it because there is less of the sporting element than there used to be in
Ceylon men, or that the sport itself has become too costly for any but a few to
participate in? Probably both causes have had some effect; but it seems at least
doubtful if these who have made racing so expensive a pastime, by importing such
valuable horses and such costly men to ride them, have done so much for real
sport as distinguished from money-making as they have been credited with. We
miss now the bright, young, regimental subaltern or the junior civil servant,
both of whom had possibly ridden on the flat, or any rate were good cross
country riders, at Home; whilst Heaven help the planter whom his V.A. finds
indulging in such propensities in the more work and less pay days we now live
in. The Polo ground is not without his share in the change, but this is not a
rival which any one would dream of discouraging. It is a question if it might
not be made an ally by devoting more funds to polo pony races. Arab racing could
probably never be revived, but there is no prettier sport than three-quarter
mile heat (?) races for Arabs, if there were plenty of them as there need to
be."
********
Mathew married Marianne Theresa SKINNER, daughter of Maj. Thomas Bridges Boucher SKINNER C.M.G. and Georgina BURRELL, on 23 Aug 1864.4 (Marianne Theresa SKINNER was born on 20 Nov 1839 in Colombo, Ceylon, died on 8 Feb 1901 in St. Giles, London, Middlesex, England 8 and was buried in Kensal Green, London, England.)
Spouse: Marianne Theresa SKINNER 9
- Born: 20 Nov 1839, Colombo, Ceylon
- Marriage: Mathew Henry THOMAS on 23 Aug 1864 4
- Died: 8 Feb 1901, St. Giles, London, Middlesex, England at age 61 8
- Buried: Kensal Green, London, England
General Notes:
Census U.K.
1851: age 11, scholar at school in Stoke Damerel, Devonshire with her younger
brother George.
Census U.K. 1861: Maria T. Skinner, age 21, Visitor in Wimbledon Surrey of
family Boustead (Head: John Boustead, born Ceylon ab. 1823)
Census 1881: Marian T. Thomas, Oakfield, Underskiddaw, Cumberland
Photo in our possession of her grave marked J.S. Farley, Kensal Green nº38470
" Sacred to the memory of Marian Theresa wife of M.H. Thomas, J.P. of
oonoocacalla (Oonoongalla), Ceylon
and daughter of the late Major Thomas Skinner CMG and his wife Georgina daughter
of General Burrell
Born November 20th 1839. died February 8th 1901"
Marianne married Mathew Henry THOMAS, son of William Henri THOMAS and Eliza HATHWAY, on 23 Aug 1864.4 (Mathew Henry THOMAS was born in 1837 in Camberwell, London, Middlesex, England, died on 28 Jan 1915 and was buried on 1 Feb 1915 in Bathwick Cemetary, Bath, Somerset, England.)
Father of Marianne Theresa SKINNER 9: Lt.Gen. George BURRELL 10
- Born: 26 Feb 1777, Long Houghton, Northumberland, England
- Christened: Jul 1777, Ratcheugh, Northumberland, England
- Marriage (1): Ann SCOTT on 1 Sep 1803 in St. George's, Dublin, Ireland
- Marriage (2): Marianne Theresa THOMAS on 27 Jun 1817 in Broad Clyst, Devon, England
- Died: 4 Jan 1853, Alnwick, Northumberland, England at age 75
- Buried: 10 Jan 1853
General Notes:
Lt. General,
C.B.
BIOGRAPHY:
Second son of John Burrell Esq. of Littlehoughton, Northumberland, England. Born
at Longhoughton in Northumberland and entered the army as an ensign in the 15th
Regiment in 1797. He was promoted to lieutenant in the same year and to captain
in 1805. On his passage to the West Indies in 1805, the transport in which he
had embarked was attacked by a large French schooner privateer, which was beaten
off with great loss. He became a major in the 90th Light Infantry in 1807, was
at the capture of Guadaloupe in 1810 and served during the war in Canada in 1814
and 1815. He returned to Europe in 1815 but arrived too late for the Battle of
Waterloo. Having marched with his regiment to Paris, he remained there until the
Army of Occupation was formed in December and then returned to England in July
1816.
In 1820 he went to the Mediterranean where he held the civil and military
command of Paxo, one of the Ionian islands, for more than 5 years. He received
high commendation from the Regent and civil authorities of that island. He
attained the rank of colonel in 1830 and returned to England in 1832 with the
18th Royal Irish. In 1836 he was ordered with that regiment to Ceylon where he
remained until 1840. In 1837 he received the local rank of major-general and
acted as commandant at Colombo and also at Trincomalee. In May 1840, he went to
China and commanded the troops at the first capture of Chusan. He was appointed
Governor of that island and with his troops held command until February 1841
when the island was restored by the Commissioner of the Government after a
treaty with Chinese authorities. Since the treaty was not ratified, hostilities
resumed and Burrell commanded a brigade at the attack on the heights above
Canton and destroyed the Tartar camp under the walls of the city. Burrell
continued to command a brigade in China until peace was made in July 1842.
He received thanks from both Houses of Parliament for his services in China and
in 1844, Her Majesty Queen Victoria graciously included him in the list of
officers receiving awards for distinguished services. In 1851 he was promoted to
the rank of lieutenant-general, and in February of 1852 was appointed Colonel of
the 39th Regiment.
He first married Miss Scott, daughter of Sir John Scott, Knight of ireland, and
secondly, Marianne Theresa Thomas, daughter of Reverend Dr Thomas of Clodagh, Co
Carlow, Ireland. This marriage linked him to the Irish house of Lisle, while he
was the lineal descendent of one of the oldest families in the north of England.
George married Ann SCOTT, daughter of Sir John SCOTT and Unknown, on 1 Sep 1803 in St. George's, Dublin, Ireland. (Ann SCOTT was born about 1783 and died before 1817.)
George next married Marianne Theresa THOMAS, daughter of Rev.Dr. William Bartolomew THOMAS and Anna Jocelyn DAVIDSON, on 27 Jun 1817 in Broad Clyst, Devon, England. (Marianne Theresa THOMAS was born about 1800 in Northamptonshire, England, died on 31 Mar 1831 and was buried Stonehouse, Devonport.)
Mother of Marianne Theresa SKINNER: Marianne Theresa THOMAS 15
- Born: Abt 1800, Northamptonshire, England
- Marriage: Lt.Gen. George BURRELL on 27 Jun 1817 in Broad Clyst, Devon, England
- Died: 31 Mar 1831 about age 31
- Buried: Stonehouse, Devonport
General Notes:
Died when her
four children were quite young. They were later looked after by Jocelyn Henry C
Thomas' daughter, Katherine Turton. Her daughter was a Mrs Skinner, whose
husband was Major Skinner in Ceylon.
Died 31st March 1831, aged 31 (ref.Long Houghton Parish, in History of
Northumberland)
Marianne married Lt.Gen. George BURRELL, son of John BURRELL and Barbara PEARETH, on 27 Jun 1817 in Broad Clyst, Devon, England. (Lt.Gen. George BURRELL was born on 26 Feb 1777 in Long Houghton, Northumberland, England, christened in Jul 1777 in Ratcheugh, Northumberland, England, died on 4 Jan 1853 in Alnwick, Northumberland, England and was buried on 10 Jan 1853.)Mary THOMAS
Generation 8
Rvd. William Henry THOMAS + Margaret COLLARD
Hugh Kerr THOMAS + Mabel Mary GASH
Lt. Arthur H. THOMAS 71
- Born: Abt 1866, Colombo, Ceylon
- Died: 4 Oct 1900, Bultfontein, South Africa about age 34 71
- Buried: 6 Oct 1900, Bultfontein, South Africa
General Notes:
Was a
scholar in 1881 census, boarder at Harrow, age 15.
Harrow School Sep 1879 - Xmas 1883; School shooting VIII in 1882.
Killed in the Boer War.
Queen's South African Medal with 4 clasps: Diamond Hill, Johannesburg,
Driefontein, Cape Colony. Engraved: "Lieut. A.H. Thomas Ceylon M.I."
__________________________________________________________________________
THOMAS - Lieutenant Arthur H. - Ceylon Mounted Infantry
Died at Bultfontein. 4th October 1900. A Fellow of the Royal Colonial Institute.
Lieut. Thomas was killed "shot through the heart" while serving as Assistant
Commissioner, Bultfontein.
Memorial in The Military Headquarters, Kandy (Ceylon / Sri Lanka) - "In memoriam
- Lieut. Arthur A. Thomas [sic], W. Max Kelly, C. Campion, Q. M. Sgt. Cheyne, A.
S. Hopper, K. Hamilton, Claude C. Bell, N. W. Smellie. This Memorial was
designed by Mrs. Thomas, wife of Edward Hector Le Marchant Thomas, a brother of
Lieutenant Thomas."
See http://www.lib.sun.ac.za/roh/roh.exe?MenuItem=Person&PersonNumber=30799:
Ceylon Contingent Memorial This memorial was erected opposite the 'Mahamaluwa'
(Esplanade) in commemoration of the services of the Ceylon Contingent in South
Africa, 1900 - 1902 and unveiled by Field Marshal H. R. H. the Duke of Connaught,
K. G., G. C. M. G. March 18, 1907." In memoriam - Lieut. Arthur, A. Thomas, W.
Max Kelly, C. Campion, Q. M., St. Cheyne, A. S. Hopper, K. Hamilton, Claude C.
Bell, N. W. Smellie. This Memorial was designed by Mrs. Thomas, wife of Edward
Hector Le Marchant Thomas, a brother of Lieutenant Thomas. It represents a
trooper of the Ceylon Mounted Infantry giving the signal 'enemy is in sight.'
This statue was pulled down in an undergraduate protest in the 1960's and never
re-instated. Now this Memorial is kept in the compound of the Military
Headquarters in Kandy. Randolph Jones
___________________________________________________________________________
NASA Pretoria. Lord Roberts' Papers, Volume 10 ff. 121-134. (WO 105/11
T/40/22)
From Officer Commanding Troops, Bultfontein.
To Chief Staff Officer, Bloemfontein.
Sir
I have the honour to report that on the night of Wednesday, 3rd
October, Peter Meyring, son of Gert Meyring, of Hamones Fontein Farm, came in
with the news that a party of twenty-four Boers had off-saddled close to his
house.
As this farm lies on the flank of the Brandfort road and only some five miles
from its nearest point and as a convoy for Hoopstad with a company of Royal
Irish Rifles would be passing this point during the day, I thought that this
convoy might possibly be their objective and I determined if possible to
surprise and capture them or at any rate drive them off.
This course seemed perfectly feasible, as I was informed that there was a ridge
on this side of the farm buildings entirely commanding them at a range of 300
yards. This I found was a mistake as the enclosed sketch shows [Note: A rough
sketch is attached to the original report]. There was a ridge but it was beyond
the farm and not on this side. For a distance of 2,500 yards from the farm to
it, on the Bultfontein road, there is a gradual descent, the gradient being
perfectly regular with the exception of the slight hollow marked on the sketch
as the shallow pan. The sketch shews the other features of the position
accurately enough I trust to render my description intelligible.
The force I took consisted of 50 men of the Volunteer Service Company Royal
Irish Rifles, the Maxim Gun of the Royal Irish Rifles with six men under
Sergeant Paton; 11 men of the 57th Company Imperial Yeomanry under
Lieutenant Slater and six mounted police under Assistant Commissioner Thomas.
The Royal Irish Rifles were in a light mule wagon and an ox wagon drawn by a
very strong team. The Gun detachment were in a Cape Cart drawn by mules.
We started at 1 a.m. Thursday morning, 4th October, and arrived at
the position shown in the sketch shortly before sunrise. The distance had been
longer than stated and the road bad. I had on reaching the pan deployed the
infantry. The gun mules and the Cape Cart were left here the Maxim being drawn
forward by hand. We had just reached the crest and the Yeomanry and police had
taken up the position shewn, when the Boers who were sleeping and cooking round
a fire between the stable and outhouse caught sight of the Yeomanry, and at once
bolted for the stable and Kraal being completely surprised, and the whole of our
force at once opened fire, several of the Boers dropping before reaching cover.
Lieutenant Slater who had with him nine men, having lent two to the police, and
was only about 250 yards distant, estimates the Boer force who were for the
minute fully exposed at about eighty men.
The enemy took up their positions in the stable, the kraal in the spruit and
behind all available cover.
I soon found that any advance was impossible. They go the range almost at once
and as a man rose to advance he exposed himself against the sky line. The ground
was perfectly flat, even ant-hills being absent. Although from the weight of
their fire I felt sure that their number had been much under-rated. I had no
idea of their actual force. I therefore sent messages to both Yeomanry and
police to the effect that unless they could get on the ridge in their rear it
was impossible for me to advance further. We were so short of mounted men that I
had only retained an interpreter who had acted as our guide for the purpose of
Orderly and it was this man I sent, but I afterwards found he had not succeeded
in reaching either Lieutenant Thomas or Lieutenant Slater. After waiting some
time for their movement I sent further messengers on foot. The police received
the information but by this time Lieutenant Thomas was mortally wounded and the
fire was too heavy for them to move. The Yeomanry received no orders as the
approaches to their position were so exposed that the messengers were unable to
cross, and they could not possibly have done as I desired even had they received
the orders.
My own position was by this time untenable. I had three men wounded and the fire
was very accurate and heavy.
The pan apparently should have given excellent shelter but this depression was
so slight that any shot with a trifle too much elevation to hit the ridge
dropped in the pan. I accordingly determined to retire and after sending
messages to this effect to the flanking parties fell slowly back remaining
exposed to their fire till out of range. In the meantime the Yeomanry had been
having a hot time. Single Boers had mounted in the kraal, and bolted to the top
of the ridge behind the farm buildings and once under cover behind it had ridden
to the point marked "A" in sketch. When they commenced this plan, Lieutenant
Slater fired volleys at the men, and in this way killed three. Some escaped
however and in addition he saw several Cape Carts driven up furiously to the
same point, filled with men. At 8.30 a.m. having held out for three hours and
seeing in a short time he would be entirely surrounded he fell back also. This
he did on foot as most of his horses were wounded. The police who had kept up a
steady fire on their flank received my orders to retire and the whole fell back
with me without further casualties.
After this not another shot was fired and we returned to Bultfontein which
during my absence I had left under the command of Lieutenant Hanks with forty
men of the Volunteer Service Company Royal Irish Rifles.
The following is a list of the casualties:-
Lieutenant H. A. Thomas, Ceylon Mounted Infantry, Assistant Commissioner
Bultfontein, killed, (shot through the heart).
Lieutenant Sidney A. Slater, 57th Company Imperial Yeomanry, gunshot
wound, leg.
10384, Corporal I. H. Wilson, 57th Company Imperial Yeomanry, gunshot
wound in abdomen (dangerous).
10419, Trooper R. T. Edmunds, 57th Company Imperial Yeomanry, gunshot
wound, leg.
15698, Trooper S. Cloak, 78th Company Roughriders, gunshot wound,
buttock.
7132, Sergeant John Foley, Volunteer Service Company, Royal Irish Rifles,
gunshot wound, chest (flesh).
7217, Private A. T. Duffield, Volunteer Service Company, Royal Irish Rifles,
gunshot wound, shoulder (severe).
7180, Private S. A. Simpson, Volunteer Service Company, Royal Irish Rifles,
gunshot wound, hand.
I am unable to give the casualties of the Boers, but a native reported this
morning that five were killed and eight wounded, and I should think this to be
under the mark rather than over.
I much regret the loss of Lieutenant Thomas. He was deservedly popular and at
his funeral all classes exhibited unfeigned grief and much sorrow has been
expressed by farmers in the district on hearing of his death.
I have much pleasure in reporting that all the men of my company showed the
greatest coolness and pluck. I was greatly aided by Colour Sergeant Strudwick
(Sergeant Instructor London Irish Rifles), Rifle Brigade, who behaved
excellently.
Lieutenant Slater also reports that his men behaved with great steadiness
throughout, and retired through a very heavy fire with great coolness and
courage.
I wish too, to report that I do not consider the Meyrings in any way to blame,
as I believe the greater part of Boers arrived after the message was sent and
old Meyring was confined in his house immediately it was sent.
Before starting I was assured by both Lieutenant Thomas and Lieutenant Slater
who know the family well, that they were the most reliable Boers in the
neighbourhood and that they had constantly brought in news of value, which
afterwards proved to be true. On finding the unexpected strength of the Commando
I felt more convinced than before that they intended to capture the convoy, and
I consider the fact that the Officer commanding troops with convoy reported
having seen no enemy was due to my action in attacking.
The Meyrings further reported that immediately after the action the Boers moved
off in the direction of the junction between the Vet and Zand Rivers.
I take the liberty of suggesting that our force of mounted men is far too low.
Owing to the losses among the Yeomanry horses we are now capable of mounting ten
men including the police, and Lieutenant Slater reports that there are no horses
of any use for this purpose in the district.
I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient Servant (Signed) C. G. HENTY,
Captain, Royal Irish Rifles, Officer Commanding Troops, Bultfontein.
Bultfontein, 5th October, 1900.
The Military Secretary.
Forwarded. The losses on this occasion, I regret particularly that of the death
of Lieutenant Thomas, Aide de Camp, a very promising officer. The enterprise of
Captain Henty and his party was unfortunate in its results, still, I think it
undesirable to make any comment which might check our Officers in their
offensive efforts to attack whenever there is a fair opportunity; up to this
their efforts have been very successful.
(Signed) T. K. KENNY, Lieutenant General. Commanding Troops.
Bloemfontein, October 12th, 1900.
___________________________________________________________________________
T. Y Wright, page 11.
It was when I was in hospital that I heard of the death of my old friend Arthur
Thomas, who was on the next estate to me in Ceylon, Galheria, when I first went
to Ceylon. It seems he had been made a Commissioner of some kind for a district
and seconded from the Contingent. He heard that a small party of Boers were
occupying a farm house, and took a small armed force to push them out, but,
instead of a small party, there was a strong party and poor Arthur was shot.
____________________________________________________________________________
Hugh Karunanayake
11 Westleigh Drive
Westleigh
NSW 2120, Australia
PH: +61 2 9980 2494
email: karu@internode.net.au <<mailto:%20karu@internode.net.au>>
Hello Jean
I was asked by Victor Melder of Melbourne whether I could help you with
information on the Ceylon Mounted Infantry, and I can help you with the
following.
A photograph of the South African War Memorial in Kandy is found in the book by
Col T.Y.Wright " Ceylon in my time" 1951. Col Wright was together with E.
Gordon Reeves and others such as R Ellis, RH Campbell,AH Thomas and EHL Thomas
were the founders of the Corps which enlisted 62 men at the inception. The names
of all 62 and descriptions of the early activities of the CMI including several
photos are in the book. It is probably the only book that provides information
on the CMI in detail, and is a scarce publication. You may be able to access it
in a library, but if you are not able to do so please let me know. The Times of
Ceylon Annual of 1906 gives an account of the history of the CMI by Col Gordon
Reeves - It also carries some group photographs of members of the Corps.
Marion K. THOMAS + Lt. Francis John HADDEN
Capt. Edward Hector Le Marchant THOMAS
Jocelyn Hume THOMAS + May AGAR
Brig. Henry Melville THOMAS C.M.G., D.S.O., R.A. + Mary POTTINGER
2nd spouse of Brig. Henry
Melville THOMAS C.M.G., D.S.O., R.A. +
Dorothy Violet Hope
RAWSON
Generation 9
Generation 10
10Michael Henry Thomas GRAHAM + May Denise MACANDREW
Children: Angus Duncan Neil GRAHAM + Giulia Patricia Sofia GRAHAM
Douglas Ian
Mcneill GRAHAM + Anne Marie BOYS
Children:
Sophie
GRAHAM + Jonathan BARTON
Children: Joss
BARTON
Claire
GRAHAM + Paul
ROBERTS
Michaela
ROBERTS
2nd spouse of Douglas Ian Mcneill GRAHAM + Christine Anne Dominique FERRAN
Children: Nicolas GRAHAM
| THOMAS | ||
| Unknown | ||
| Annick | ||
| Anthony Hugh | born 1907 ? | |
| Arthur H. (Lt.) | born Abt 1866, Colombo, Ceylon | died 4 Oct 1900, Bultfontein, South Africa |
| Aubrey Jocelyn Nugent (Capt.) | born 23 Sep 1885 | died 25 Apr 1915, Gallipoli, Turkey |
| Barbara | ||
| Barbara | born 1782, Everton, Laoighis, Ireland | |
| Bartholomew Boyle (Capt.) | born 1785 | died 31 Aug 1831, Tasmania, Australia |
| Bartolomew | ||
| Bartolomew (Rev.) | born 1707, County Wexford, Ireland | died Mar 1776 |
| Bernard W. | born Abt 1900, Privett, Hampshire, England | |
| Charles | ||
| Charles Hattaway | born 1899 | |
| Charles Lake T. | born 13 Aug 1795, London, England | |
| Charlotte Mary | born Mar 1823 | |
| Cynthia Evelyn Janet | born 28 May 1898 | died 1991 |
| Daniel (Dr.) | died 1803 | |
| Earle | ||
| Edmund Meysey | born 9 Nov 1886, Carlow, Ireland | died 3 Jan 1974, Lymington, Hampshire, England |
| Edward | ||
| Edward | ||
| Edward Hector Le Marchant (Capt.) | born 1867, Colombo, Ceylon | died 1946, <Thurston, Suffolk, England> |
| Elizabeth | born 1832, Glasgow, Scotland | bur. 2 Apr 1886, Norwood Cemetery, London, Surrey, England |
| Elizabeth | chr. 2 Mar 1732, St John Baptist, Hereford, England | bur. 26 Mar 1732, St John Baptist, Hereford, England |
| Elizabeth Kate | chr. 27 Apr 1862, Erith, Kent, England | died 1913 |
| Florence A. | born 1874, Huwara Eleya, Ceylon | |
| Georgina Beryl | born 6 Apr 1884 | died 1955 |
| Helen T. | born 1872, Huwara Eleya, Ceylon | died Abt 1956, Petersfield, Hampshire, England |
| Henry | ||
| Henry (Lt. Gen.) | born Abt 1790 | died 22 Sep 1858, Warrington Lodge, Norwood, England |
| Henry Melville C.M.G., D.S.O., R.A. (Brig.) | born 26 Jan 1870, Ceylon | died 28 May 1940, Chartley, Camberley, Surrey, England |
| Hugh Kerr | born 1873, Erith, Kent, England | died 1947 |
| Idonea Mary Mina | died 1964 | |
| Jasper Evan | ||
| Jessie Fanny | born Abt 1864, Erith, Kent, England | |
| Jocelyn Bartholomew | born 1809 | |
| Jocelyn Henry Connor | born 20 Jul 1780, Aul Derig Or Everton, England | died 7 Apr 1862, Northdown, Tasmania, Australia |
| Jocelyn Henry Watkins | born 1839, London, England | died Oct 1932, Carlow, Ireland |
| Jocelyn Hume | chr. 9 Nov 1868, Oakfield, Crostwaithe, Cumberland, England | died After 1926 |
| Jocelyn Timothy | born 1937 | |
| Joshua (Rev.) | born 1680, Tyrcullen, Ireland | died Dec 1737 |
| Julia | born 1833, Glasgow, Scotland | bur. 1 Jan 1884, Norwood Cemetery, London, Surrey, England |
| Julia | chr. 8 Mar 1805, St Mary's, Lambeth, Surrey, England | |
| Julian | ||
| Katherine | ||
| Lewis (Col.) | died Abt 1648 | |
| Maria | ||
| Marianne Agnes Patricia | born 29 Sep 1908, Bengalore, Misore, India | died 3 Jan 1992, Monchique, Portugal |
| Marianne Theresa | born Abt 1800, Northamptonshire, England | died 31 Mar 1831 |
| Marion Carrie | born Abt 1877, Erith, Kent, England | |
| Marion K. | born Abt 1867, Colombo, Ceylon | |
| Mary | ||
| Mary | born 1840, Camberwell, London, Middlesex, England | bur. 13 Aug 1915, Norwood Cemetery, London, Surrey, England |
| Mary | chr. 17 Apr 1761, All Saints, Hereford, England | |
| Mary Mellyburne | ||
| Mathew Henry | born 1837, Camberwell, London, Middlesex, England | died 28 Jan 1915, <Bathwick Cemetary, Bath, Somerset, England> |
| Matthew | chr. 22 Jun 1766, St John Baptist, Hereford, England | died 1811, London, England |
| Matthew | born Abt 1791 | died Abt Dec 1867, Knighton, Hereford, England |
| Matthew | chr. 3 Oct 1734, St John Baptist, Hereford, England | died Jul 1796 |
| Peter Meysey | born 1937 | |
| Quentin | ||
| Robert Jocelyn Henry (Maj.) | born 7 Oct 1905 | died 18 Apr 1941, Tobruk, Libya |
| Samuel | ||
| Sarah | chr. 9 Apr 1759, All Saints, Hereford, England | |
| Sarah | chr. 27 Dec 1770, All Saints, Hereford, England | |
| Stephen Kerr | born 1897 | died 1961 |
| Thomas (Rev.) | ||
| Whilemina Ann Eunice | born 1935 | |
| William | ||
| William | born Abt 1701, Hereford, Herefordshire, England | bur. 3 Oct 1800, All Saints, Hereford, England |
| William | chr. 27 Jan 1775 | died Canada |
| William | chr. 4 Dec 1727, St John Baptist, Hereford, England | |
| William Bartolomew (Rev.Dr.) | born 1751 | died 31 Dec 1826, Carlow, Ireland |
| William Henri | born 30 Nov 1798, London, England | died 23 Apr 1855, Camberwell, London, Middlesex, England |
| William Henry | born 1835, Queenbithe, City Of London, England | died Abt Dec 1901, Dartford, Kent, England |
| William Henry (Rvd.) | born Abt 1868, Belvedere, Kent, England |
Email: Wed 6/20/2007 4:42 PM
If by any chance you come across a Mathew Henry Thomas who was a planter from 1856 onwards (he spent the greater part of his career in the Madulkelle district, where he acquired the well-known Galleheria Estate), or his children Edward Hector Le Marchant Thomas and Jocelyn Hume Thomas, I would be most grateful for any details.
Many thanks,
Jean.
Dr. Jean Ferran
Turifoia
31, rua Serpa Pinto,
Apt. 33
8550 Monchique (P.)
Tel.(+351) 282 912 822
Fax. (+351) 282 912 722
Genealogy Website:
www.ochanoff.741.comIn case of difficulties, please use this alternative address: jferran@ochanoff.741.com, Jean Ferran [turifoia@vianw.pt]