William Sherman Thomas

Rank:

Private

Regimental number:

9255

Unit at enlistment:

3rd Battalion

Force:

C.E.F.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Date of death:

July 10th, 1917

Cemetery:

Ohsweken Baptist Church Cemetery, Tuscarora Township, Six Nations, Ontario

Commemorated at:

Six Nations Memorial Plaque, S.S. No. 2 Roll of Honour, Ohsweken

Birth country:

Canada

Birth county:

Brant

Birth city:

Brantford, Ontario

Address at enlistment:

Toronto, Ontario

Trade or calling:

Clerk

Marital status:

Single

Age at enlistment:

Image gallery:

Letters and documents

Circumstances of service: Killed

Cause of Death: Drowning
Location: Fort Erie, Ontario

BX July 17, 1917

Indian Veteran Was Laid to Rest – William Sherman Thomas Accidentally Drowned After Return

The funeral took place yesterday afternoon of William Sherman Thomas, a Brant County Indian, who was recently invalided home from the front and met his death by drowning about a week ago. Thomas went overseas with the first contingent. He lost an eye at the front and was invalided home. Since his return he was employed as an immigration inspector at Fort Erie and was drowned a week ago today. The fatal accident occurred while he was boating, he having lost his balance. The funeral yesterday was from Oakland to the Ohsweken Baptist Church. The 37th Battalion band participated in the last sad ceremony. Rev. M. Siple, pastor of the Baptist Church, conducted the service and he was assisted by Rev. Mr. Rodgers of the Oakland Methodist Church. The funeral was very largely attended. Charles Thomas, a brother of the deceased hero, who was only 19 years of age was killed in action at the front.

BX July 19, 1917

On Monday afternoon the funeral services of the late Pte. William Sherman Thomas, whose death occurred by accident at Fort Erie last week, were conducted from the home of his parents here and were attended by a large number of sympathizing friends. Soon after the outbreak of war Sherman and another brother both having graduated from a commercial course at college in Toronto, enlisted for their country’s defense. A few months ago the parents and family received the sad message that one of their boys had been killed in action, while Sherman, had been wounded, having lost one eye. After being discharged from the convalescent hospital in France he was returned home to Canada and was appointed immigration officer on the Buffalo-Fort Erie ferry. Since he was wounded he has been subject to heart trouble, and it is supposed while in a faint overbalanced over the rail, and after several days’ search his body was recovered. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas and family have the heart-felt sympathy of the entire neighborhood in their double grief. The services were conducted by his former pastor, Rev. Mr. Robertson of Toronto, assisted by Rev. R. Rogers. Interment being made in the family plot of Ohsweken cemetery.

BX July 19, 1917

Sherman Thomas formerly of Toronto, drowned at Fort Erie, was wounded at the front the first year of the war. He lost an eye and was invalided home. He was appointed inspector of immigration at Fort Erie. One brother, Charlie, was killed in France, and another one is still at the front. So far, the Six Nations has lost to date about ten men since the war started.