Prior to enlistment, Thomas was an engineer on the coasting vessel, ‘Enid’ belonging to Parkinson and Tomlinson, He enlisted on 30th October 1915 and entered the war in France on 16th September 1916. He was the youngest son of Mrs M E Sharples of 45 Livingstone Terrace, Fleetwood, and the late William Sharples. He lived with his widowed mother up until his enlistment. His brother 101721 Pte Richard Sharples also served with the R.A.M.C. and died in the war. [Information sources: CWGC, SDGW, Gazette News for Blackpool, Fleetwood, Lytham, St. Annes and Fylde (Portrait photograph from the Gazette News]