Thomas was the oldest of fourteen children of George Ballard and Rose neé Hall; husband of Maud Mary A. neé Richer & father of Mabel E. He was born in 1886 in Southall, Middlesex. Thomas worked as a labourer initially but later became a cooper. He enlisted with the 23rd (Service) Battalion (2nd Football), Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex) Regiment but it is not known if he was with them when they disembarked in France in May 1916 or joined them later after they had been posted to Italy. What we do know is that he was with them in France in March 1918 & Thomas was killed in action near Zonnebeke during the final advance on 1st October 1918.

Paul Ballard