Thomas’s occupation was a miner. He was 6 ft, 0 1/2 inches tall and his religion was C of E. Thomas was appointed by Durham County Constabulary on 4th September 1913 as PC 787, 3rd class constable. In December 1913 he was stationed at Stockton and was promoted on the 1st March 1914 to a 2nd class PC. He went to Wingate in September 1914 and then onto West Hartlepool in December the same year. On the 18th May 1915, Thomas resigned to join HMF and enlisted with the RAMC. He entered France on the 23rd November 1915. He was killed whilst bringing in wounded men. His parents received a letter from Lt Col Bradish of the RAMC, who wrote “I very much regret to have to tell you of the death of your son Corporal Valks, killed in action whilst bringing in wounded from the front line of the 16th Inst. We all thought a great deal of him in the unit. He was a most promising non-commissioned officer and would have made a serjeant had he lived. Please accept my deepest sympathy in your great loss.” Reverend W Swinnerton, Chaplain, also wrote “The commanding officer felt very keenly about the passing away of your gallant lad, and the whole of the 91st and 92nd Ambulance turned out for his funeral. I believe your lad was recommended for the Military Medal before the misfortune overtook him. There is perhaps some consolation to know his death was absolutely instantaneous. Please accept the sympathy of the Ambulance in your sore trial. May God bless and sustain you. ‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends’ ”. Thomas was the son of Robert Kennedy Valks and Mary Jane Valks of 47 Jane Street, Downs, Hetton-le-Hole. Co. Durham. [Information researched and provided by John Grainger]