Henry James Donnithorne Thomas (1875 - 1961)

Born 27 Nov 1875 in Hoxton, Middlesex, England

Ancestors

Died 1 Jun 1961 at age 85 in West Norwood, London, England

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Biography

Henry James Donnithorne Thomas was born on the 27th November 1875, at Hoxton, Middlesex, England, the fourth and youngest child, only son of William Henry Thomas, the younger, and Diana Worth.^[1] Henry was christened on the 4th March 1883, at St Mary's Tottenham, Middlesex. The family was living at Wycombe Road, and Henry's father's occupation is listed as builder.

On the 3rd April 1881, Henry James (5) and his family were living at Spencer Rd, Tottenham. The rest of the family home at the time were his father, William (41), his occupation now listed as Carpenter, mother, Diana (40), and sisters Kate (15), Louisa (13), and Laura (8).^[2][3]

Henry was christened on the 4th March 1883, at St Mary's Tottenham, Middlesex. The family was living at Wycombe Road, and Henry's father's occupation is listed as builder.^[4]

On the 5th April 1891 Henry James (15) and family were at Hafer Road, Battersea. Others in the home at that time were his father, William (51), his occupation listed as "Foreman Of Carpenters & Joiners", his mother, Diana (50), his sister Laura (18), and two boarders: Sidney W Magee (13), and Matilda Tanfield (82). There is no mention of where daughters Kate and Louisa are.^[5]

On the 31st March 1901 Henry James (25, and a Commercial Clerk), and family were still at Battersea. Others of the family home at the time were his father, William (61), his occupation still listed as Carpenter, his mother, Diana (60), sister Kate (35), and a female visitor Louise E Mayer (28). There is no mention of where daughter Louisa is, while Laura is with her husband elsewhere.^[6]

In 1908 William and the children lost wife and mother when Diana died some time before the 31st December.

On the 2nd April 1911 at least some of the family were still at Battersea, now in Marjorie Grove, with Henry James D (33) listed as son, and Kate D (39) listed as daughter, however no parent is shown on the partial record available. As Henry's mother had died in 1908, the parent for him to be "son" has to have been his father, William, but no record has yet been found.^[7]

In 1916 Henry, who had worked as a bank cashier prior to the war, lied about his age in order to enlist in the RFC/RAF (SVN 23475), and listed his next of kin as his sister Kate. If he had told the truth, he'd have been 41 years old, and ineligible for service.^[8]

In May 1930 Henry (a retired commercial clerk) was secondary beneficiary to the assets bequeathed by one Albert George Edwards, who had died at Guy's Hospital, on the 1st April that year. The main beneficiary was the widow, Florence Louisa Edwards, and the total amount of the bequest to be shared was £1637 18s. 5d.^[9]

On the 29th September 1939 Henry (63) is listed as "bank clerk, retired" in the census taken that year*. His sister, Kate (73), was living with him at Revelstoke Rd, Wimbledon.^[10]

Henry was never married, and had no known children.

Henry James Donnithorne Thomas passed away on the 1st June 1961, at West Norwood, London, England, aged 85 years.^[11]
Henry's Will was probated 10th July 1961, wherein he left effects totalling £859 3s. 5d.^[12]

Research Note

* Of note is that the census taken in September 1939, just after the start of what became known as the Second World War, is the only surviving record of the population between 1921 and 1951. 1931's census was destroyed by fire; and no census was taken in 1941. The 1939 census was used to provide identity cards and, after 1940, ration books, control conscription, and movement of the population, and to direct labour.^[13]

Sources

1. ↑ England & Wales births, deaths and marriages registrations, General Register Office United Kingdom, Southport, England, HM Passport Office online search Births: Name: THOMAS, HENRY JAMES DONNITHORNE, Mother's Maiden Surname: WORTH, GRO Reference: 1876 M Quarter in SHOREDITCH Volume 01C Page 112
2. ↑ "England and Wales Census, 1881," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q27Z-XPGD : 13 December 2017), William Hy Thomas, Tottenham, Middlesex, England; from "1881 England, Scotland and Wales Census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing p. 34, Piece/Folio 1382/20, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey; FHL microfilm 101,774,588.
3. ↑ "England and Wales Census, 1881," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q27Z-X54F : 13 December 2017), Henry Jas D Thomas in household of Laura A Thomas, Tottenham, Middlesex, England; from "1881 England, Scotland and Wales Census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing p. 35, Piece/Folio 1382/21, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey; FHL microfilm 101,774,588.
4. ↑ Entry #84. The full record is available at ancestry.com for paid members.
5. ↑ "England and Wales Census, 1891," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QZ7Z-DMM : 2 May 2019), Henry J D Thomas in household of William H Thomas, Battersea, London, England, United Kingdom; from "1891 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO RG 12, London county, subdistrict, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.
6. ↑ "England and Wales Census, 1901," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X9HY-PNT : 20 May 2019), Henry J D Thomas in household of William H Thomas, Battersea, London, England, United Kingdom; from "1901 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing South West Battersea subdistrict, PRO RG 13, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
7. ↑ "England and Wales Census, 1911," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XW56-QST : 9 May 2019), Henry James Donnithorne Thomas, Battersea, London, England, United Kingdom; from "1911 England and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO RG 14, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.
8. ↑ Henry's full service records are available on findmypast for a fee, or ancestry.com with a paid membership.
9. ↑ UK Government Probate Service online search: Edwards 1930
10. ↑ The full census records are available on findmypast for a fee, or ancestry.com with a paid membership.
11. ↑ England & Wales births, deaths and marriages registrations, General Register Office United Kingdom, Southport, England, HM Passport Office online search Deaths: Name: THOMAS, Henry J. D., Age at Death (in years): 85, GRO Reference: 1961 J Quarter in Lambeth, Volume: 5c Page: 1170
12. ↑ UK Government Probate Service online search: Thomas 1961
13. ↑ UL Government National Archives: research guides 1939 register

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