Thomas, Richard Alexander

Sub-Lieutenant Richard Alexander Thomas

Thomas was born at 1 Stranmillis Gardens, Belfast on 4th November 1918 to Richard Blethyn Thomas and Alicia Thomas nee Ferguson. They had married on 1st January 1918 at Donegall Road Presbyterian Church, Belfast. 

Sadly, his mother, Alicia (23) died on 4th November 1918 at 1 Stranmillis Gardens, Belfast from influenza (48 hours) and pneumonia (1 day). 

Following his education at Methodist College, Belfast, Thomas went to work for the bank about 1937 based on a starting age of 19.

Thomas volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve.

He was serving on HMS St Angelo (Fleet Air Arm, Malta) when he was reported missing on 6th February 1942 although it is recorded elsewhere as 7th February 1942.

CWGC records him as Killed in Action as 6th February 1942.

FAA, 830 Sqn, St Angelo, air operations

THOMAS, Richard A, Ty/Sub Lieutenant (A), RNVR, missing

The Belfast News-Letter of 14th February 1942 reports:

Thomas is remembered on the Lee-on-Solent Memorial, bay 4, panel 2.

Acknowledgements to CWGC

Acknowledgements to Naval History 

The NatWest Group Archives website has published this information:

Richard Alexander Thomas was born on 4 November 1918, the son of Helena and Richard Blethyn Thomas. In March 1937 he went to work for Ulster Bank at its Gortin branch, moving to Omagh branch a year later.

In January 1941 Thomas left the bank to go on war service, joining the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. He was posted to HMS St Angelo, a naval base in Birgu, Malta. Sub-Lieutenant (A) Thomas died on active service on 6 February 1942. He was 23 years old.

Richard Thomas is commemorated on two memorials at Ulster Bank’s Belfast head office: its roll of honour for staff who served in the Second World War and its memorial for those who fell.