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Somerset County Herald and Taunton Courier. Saturday 13 Oct 1956
Page 6 Column 6
Ambulance Worker
Funeral of Mr. S. E. THOMAS, Taunton
A well-known member of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, Mr. Sydney Ernest THOMAS (36), of 69, Cyril-street West, Taunton, died at Musgrove Park Hospital on October 4th. Mr. THOMAS was a son of Mr. and Mrs. H. J. THOMAS, of 78, Cyril-street. He leaves a wife and two children.
For many years he was a member of the St. John Ambulance Brigade and also of the British Railways ambulance team which had many successes in the ambulance competitions. Mr. THOMAS had been employed by the British Railways since leaving school. He was a keen member and officer of the Temple Boys' Brigade.
The esteem in which Mr. THOMAS was held was shown by the large attendance at the funeral service on Tuesday afternoon at Temple Methodist Church. It was conducted by the Minister (the Rev. Eric BUTLER), who spoke of the sympathy and skill of Mr. THOMAS, and of the high esteem in which he was held. He was not only skilled in theory, but very expert in his practice, and there had been many testimonies of his courage and devotion. He and Mrs. THOMAS had inspired their daughter to be a nursing cadet.
He would be missed in church life, especially by the Boys' Brigade and the Temple Guild.
Mr. BUTLER's readings included Psalm 23. Mrs. BISHOP was organist.
Interment was at the Taunton Deane cemetery.
The mourners present were:- Mrs. C. THOMAS (wife), Mr. R. THOMAS (brother), Mrs. J. ROBERTS (mother-in-law), Mrs. R. THOMAS (sister-in-law), Mr. J. THOMAS, Mr. and Mrs. H. THOMAS, Mr. and Mrs. E. THOMAS, Mr. H. TOWELL, Mrs. F. MOTT (uncles and aunts), Mrs. G. CHIDGEY, Mr. Ivor THOMAS (cousins), Mr. and Mrs. J. ROBERTS, Mr. and Mrs. B. QUANCE, Mr. and Mrs. WILLIAMS, Mrs. FARNDALE (friends).
Mr. and Mrs. H. J. THOMAS (father and mother) were unable to attend.
The general attendance included representatives of the British Railways and the Temple Church congregation, and the following members of the Ambulance Brigade:- Div.-Supt. K. BAKER, Div.-Supt. P. BIRD (Bridgwater Division), Div. Officer W. R. BATESON, Cadet Officer C. PROSSER, Cadet Officer K. MARKS, Privates R. ATKINS, A. HARVEY, G. PARRATT, and R. REDMAN, Nursing Division, Mrs. D. BRUFORD (superintendent), Mrs. HOWARTH and Mrs. REED. Also present were Lieut.-Col. V. B. THURSTON, president of Division, and Mr. MOUNTSTEPHENS, representing officers and members of the British Red Cross Society. The bearers were Corpl. I. BRUFORD, Privates W. CAMPBELL, G. MITCHELL and A. PRYKE.