Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Morning Bulletin (Rockhampton, Qld. : 1878 - 1954), Wednesday 23 January 1952, page 2
It was with feelings of the deepest regret that a wide circle of Central Queensland and Upper Burnett friends learnt of the sudden death at Greenslopes Repatriation Hospital of Mr Richard Henry THOMAS. Born at Gympie 64 years ago, he moved to the Upper Burnett in the early day of the settlement as an employee of the Irrigation Department and he and his family were among the now rapidly dwindling circle of old timers who lived in the canvas town established at the Eight-mile dip in the 20's. When the Monto department was disbanded, he entered business in Monto and established the successful plumbing business now so ably carried on by his sons, Kevin and Lindsay. He enlisted in 1915 with the 26th Battalion and sailed for France in 1916. In 1917 he transferred to the 22nd Coy 2 MG Battalion and fought in France and Belgium. He was twice gassed and suffered wounds in the arms and legs. He came home from England by hospital ship in 1919. Mr THOMAS joined the RSSAILA branch at Mundubbera in 1921 and was a foundation member of the Monto RSL branch when formed in 1928. He held the unique distinction of having been a Monto committee man for 24 years and, except for illness, caused by war wounds, he never voluntarily missed a meeting. Mr THOMAS was a foundation member of the Monto RSL Memorial Club and was almost continuously a committee man of the institution. He was a trustee of the Monto distress fund. In February, 1949, the RSSAILA honoured him with a life membership certificate and in February of the following year honoured his long and faithful service with an RSL gold life membership badge. Mr THOMAS is survived by four sons, Mick (Gladstone), Kevin, Lindsay and Norman (Monto), and three daughters, Mesdames R. Taege (Denise), P. Flanagan (Rae) Gladstone, and Russ Smith (Bernice) Biloela. There are 16 grandchildren. His wife predeceased him by seven years.