Major Ian Thomas

Major Ian ThomasMajor Ian Thomas, 92, entered heaven to be with Christ on 1 August from a hospital bed in Colorado, USA, where he had been living for over 20 years.Born in Hampstead, London, in 1914 to Albert and Jennie Thomas, Ian was educated at Merchant Taylor’s School, after which he attended St Bartholomew’s Hospital for medical training with the intention of becoming a missionary doctor in Africa. However, on completion of two years of medical study, he felt called to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ and became an itinerant preacher in the UK for six years.Having completed officer training at school, Ian was commissioned to serve with the Royal Fusiliers in 1939, at the outbreak of World War II. With his battalion he was sent to France and Belgium; and this was followed by evacuation from Dunkirk. During a brief leave in England Major Thomas married his wife Joan, but soon returned with the Royal Fusiliers to military operations in North Africa and Greece. This was followed by service in Italy, where he was involved in the hard fought Battle of Monte Cassino, after which he was awarded the DSO.Capernwray Hall