Thomas was born 8 Jul 1885 in Beverley, son of John Thomas and Annie Elizabeth Cussons. In 1911 Thomas was employed as a tanner. He was also a member of the 5th Battalion of the East Yorkshire Regiment territorial force with the rank of Lieutenant.

In 1912 Thomas took up farming in New Zealand. At the outbreak of war in 1914 he joined the New Zealand Imperial Forces as a private. He served at Gallipoli where he was wounded in 1915 and returned to England. After recovering he was posted to France and took part in the Battle of the Somme. The New Zealanders attacked the German lines on the morning of 20 September near Flers. Thomas was shot in the jaw and neck and died of wounds on 22 September 1916.

Private Thomas Richard Cussons, 1st Battalion Auckland Regiment was buried at St Sever Cemetery, Rouen. He is remembered on the Keldgate Shrine, East Riding Memorial Beverley Minster and the Hengate War Memorial.

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Owner: East Riding Archives
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