Thomas was injured during the first Luftwaffe raid on Belfast when he and other workers mistook a parachute mine for a German parachutist. Six men were killed instantly when the mine exploded at Harland & Wolff’s Alexandra Works and Thomas succumbed to his wounds on the 20th June 1941 at the Royal Victoria Hospital.

Thomas is pictured with his wife and daughter.

He is buried in Knockbreda Cemetery.