11397 Private Rose (Thomas, David)

 

 

Regiment:  4th Canadian Infantry Battalion

Thomas was born at Marylebone, London in 1882. After school he was a labourer, but still16 he joined the Royal Navy, serving on HMS Calliope, HMS Pembroke1, HMS Pembroke. On 4th July 1902, while serving on HMS Forte, he deserted in South Africa. Three years later he handed himself in at the Admiralty and was granted a discharge. In 1910 with his parents and extended family he emigrated to Canada and settled in the Brantford area of Ontario. Thomas became a fireman and joined his local militia the 38th Dufferin Rifles of Canada. He married Emma Bloomfield and together they also lived in Brantford. On the outbreak of War he volunteered and was drafted to join the newly formed 4th Canadian Infantry Battalion. Sailing for 3 weeks on the SS Tyroliar they arrived off Plymouth Sound on 14th October 1914. There they waited aboard for 9 days and boarded trains for Lavington arriving in the early hours of the next day. It was raining as they marched to the Bustard only to find the earlier Brigade arrivals had taken many of their tents. They trained through November and December, but on 10th January Thomas was taken sick with a cold and soon pneumonia. Was taken to No1 Canadian Hospital at Netheravon, but died 2 days later and is buried in our churchyard in Grave No 7.