Arthur Francis Thomas

Story:
Arthur Francis Thomas was born in Netherbury, Beamintser, Dorset, in 1876 and baptised there on 24 Feb 1876 the son of George Nunn Thomas, a former Army officer, and Louisa Frances Thomas (nee Keddle).  He spent his early life in Dorset including some of his education at Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset.  He became a merchant seaman and achieved his 2nd Mate's Certificate on 30 Apr 1896.  He had apparently left the sea and had settled in Canada but returned to the UK and married Doris Grace Loxley at All Souls Church, Marylebone, London, on 31 Dec 1903.  They went on to have six children.  By the time of the Canadian Census of 1906 the family had returned to Canada and were living at Marquette, Manitoba, Canada.  There is some confusion as to Arthur's part in WW1 but the Shaftesbury Grammar School record shows him serving in the Navy without mentioning any branch, i.e. Military or Merchant, British or Canadian.  No medal records have been found at this time.  The Canadian Census of 1920 gives his address as 3006 Cedar Hill, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, with an occupation of Conductor (living on own means!).  His death was recorded in British Columbia on 10 Aug 1935.  His brother, Charles Samuel Williamson Thomas, also served in the conflict.