The Commonwealth War Graves commission (cwgc.org) notes he was a member of the 2nd battalion, South Lancashire regiment, service number 2020, and his name is inscribed on panel 23 of the Le Touret memorial. Reviewing the action in the battle of La Bassee, this site http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/battles_la_bassee.html notes that "The German attack was renewed on 24 October along the entire Sixth Army front. A daylight attack failed to make any headway. It was followed by an attack at dusk, which did break into the British trenches at two places, but local counterattacks restored the situation." From the date of Thomas' death, it appears that he died as a result of the German attack, almost certainly defending his own trench.

Tony Buckley