Thomas was a private in "C" Coy. 1st Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) and died on 2nd April, 1915 aged 20. The Leeds Mercury reported on 30th October, 1914 that he had been taken prisoner and was in Germany. He is remembered with honour on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Berks Cemetery Extension, Hainaut. There is no known grave. He was the son of William and Esther Parker, of Gateforth Rd., Hambleton.