James Garnett Thomas--A Casualty of WW I

JAMES GARNETT THOMAS,  A CASUALTY OF WORLD WAR I

James Garnett Thomas was born December 9, 1895 in Trigg County, Kentucky.  He was the son of the Seldon Trimble and Martha Elizabeth “Bettie” Bridges Thomas.  He was inducted into the U. S. Army in February 1918.

Garnett was first assigned to Camp Taylor in Kentucky, then, to Camp Sevier, South Carolina.  He was sent to France early in July 1918 and had not gotten to the front when the war ended.  In a letter sent to his family on December 24, 1918, he stated that the war was over and he hoped to get home in the early spring.  However, this was not to be.

On January 1, 1919, he and others were visiting Ehrenbreitstein, Germany, and while crossing the street, was struck by an automobile.  His ribs were fractured, puncturing his lungs, and he died in the hospital about 11:00 p.m. that evening.

He was buried with military honors in the city of Ehrenbreitstein.  His family received many condolences from officers and fellow soldiers.  One letter from his commanding officer of Company E, First Pioneer Infantry stated:

My Dear Mr. Thomas.
We have received your letter, and in compliance with your request, several of the boys signed and mailed a letter to you which you will probably receive by this time. I am an officer of "E" Company, and knew your son well. He was in my platoon from the very first -- both in the United States and over here. I gave him his first real training as a soldier, and I must say he made one of the best we have had in this company. He was like equally by officers and men, and was known to be a good Christian and honest and trustworthy. He was always strictly obedient and seemed always to take pride in his military duties. Under fire he behaved courageously and was always cheerful no matter how hard the going was.

We all deeply regret the unfortunate accident which resulted in his death especially happening as it did, after he had passed through so much danger in the four campaigns in which his regiment has participated, and we all greatly sympathize with you in your great sorrow.

His funeral was the best obtainable and was held with full military honors the casket being borne to the grave on an artillery caisson drawn by eight horses, led by the regimental band and followed sorrowfully by myself and my platoon (60 men) of which he was a member, as an escort of honor. He was laid to rest across and in sight of the River Rhine while three volleys of musketry were fired over his grave, and "taps" sounded.

You may rest, Mr. Thomas, in the firm assurance that your son was an excellent soldier, a good comrade and a man. Hoping I may have the pleasure of meeting you some day. I am,
Respectfully yours,
William A. Lebeau
1st Lieut. Co. E 1st Pioneer Inf.
A.E.F.
February 17, 1919

In August 1925 his parents returned his body to Trigg County.  The body arrived at his parent’s home and family and friends accompanied the body to the Oak Grove Baptist Church.  The Oak Grove Community prepared a meal at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Mason Hughes.  Following the funeral service at the church, the body was moved to the Starkie Thomas Cemetery, where full military rites were conducted with the local American Legion Post in charge.

Maynard Williams, who had left Cadiz at the same time in February 1918 and belonged to the same regiment, attended both the funeral and burial in German and in Trigg County.  They were distant cousins.

 Garnett was survived by four brothers: Erwin, Carlisle, Bluford and Cecil Thomas; two sisters, Mrs. James E. (Lola) Rogers and Miss Lou Bell Thomas (Davis).  (Source: Joyce Davis Banister)

Image of James Garnett Thomas as shown on his tombstone.

THE LINEAGE:

(James Garnett Thomas was the son of Seldon Trimble and Martha Elizabeth Bridges Thomas and the grandson of James Jasper and Mary Magdaline Cunningham Thomas.  James Jasper was the fourth child of Starkie and Mary Bridges Thomas. Starkie was the fourth child of James and Mary Standley Thomas.  Mary Bridges was the fifth child of Drury and Charity Cohoon Bridges.)