Thomas was born at Mt Duneed, VIC in 1896 to John Simmons⁽²⁾ and Mary Sarah Ann Simmons.

Thomas was a labourer and gave his address as Rowsley, VIC when he enlisted in the AIF on the 24^th of December 1915, aged 19. He was allocated to the 4^th Light Horse Regiment then to the 46^th Battalion and finally to the 13^th Reinforcements, 24^th Battalion before he embarked aboard the HMAT A32 Themistocles in late June 1916 and disembarked at Plymouth, England in September.

In November 1916 Thomas proceeded overseas to France and joined his unit in January 1917 where, a month later, he was attached for duty with the 6^th Machine Gun Company. He was admitted to the 9^th General Hospital, Rouen, France in March - rheumatism - before being evacuated back to England and admitted to the 1^st Southern General Hospital, Stourbridge, Birmingham later that month. He was discharged to two weeks furlough in May before being sent to France to reinforce the 6^th Machine Gun Company in October. In late December Thomas was found to be improperly dressed on guard duty and failing to salute an officer and forfeited 4 days pay. Thomas was granted two and a half weeks leave in England in September 1918. In March 1919 he spent a month in the 39^th General Hospital, Havre, France - scabies - before he returned to England and embarked for home aboard the Swakopmund in June, returning to Australia in August and discharged from the AIF in September.

Thomas died at Traralgon, VIC in 1965, aged 69.

He is listed on the Shire of Bacchus Marsh Roll of Honour and the Bacchus Marsh & District Roll of Honour.

Notes

1. In early 1918 the 6^th Machine Gun Company became part of the newly formed 2^nd Machine Gun Battalion.
2. John Simmons was born in Bacchus Marsh.