Cyril Thomas

Reprinted with permission from the book Hodge’s Cove by Eric Stringer, 2011

Name:   THOMAS, Cyril

Service #:   1881

Branch of Service:   Newfoundland Overseas Forestry Unit

Marital Status when enlisted:   single

Duration of Service:   1940 – 1943

Medals Awarded:   none; was promised a volunteer medal, but never received one

Other Noteworthy Information:

(as submitted by himself)

Reprinted from The Packet, November 2003. 

Cyril Thomas was born June 24, 1921 and was raised by his parents Gertie (Drover) and Willis Thomas, along with one sister Ella (deceased) in Hodge’s Cove. He enlisted in the Newfoundland Overseas Forestry Unit in the fall of 1940. He went overseas with the Clarenville men on the Polish boat Craley. Cyril and nine other men from Hodge’s Cove were on the same boat. He was 19 years old at the time. They landed in Aberdeen, Scotland on Nov. 1, 1940. His job with the unit was to cut timber to be used for props in the mines as well as in the construction of bridges. Because he was an only son, Cyril didn’t have to enlist in the war, but he was determined to go and try to help as much as he was needed. Twenty-six men from the community of Hodge’s Cove joined the forestry unit and went overseas during World War II. Following two years of service Cyril Thomas returned home and married the former Ethel Vey of Long Beach. They had seven children together but lost their youngest son Willis on Dec. 24, 1976. Cyril Thomas passed away Nov. 2, 2003 at the age of 82 years.