Private Thomas Henry Mills

Thomas Mills was born in Southport, Lancashire, England on November 5, 1889, the son of William Henry and Mary Mills. He immigrated to Canada and worked as a locomotive fireman, probably at the Paris Junction. He lived on West River Street and attended St James Anglican Church. He served for one year before the war with the 25^th Brant Dragoons. He was single and 26 years old when he enlisted with the 125^th Battalion in Paris.

Thomas was a member of the 10^th Platoon that embarked aboard the S.S Scandinavia on February 12, 1916. The 9^th and 10^th Platoons were the first contingent of soldiers from Paris, nearly 100 men, to go overseas. He was transferred to the 13^th Battalion, Canadian Railway Troops Depot in Purfleet immediately after arriving in England. The military planners recruited skilled railway workers from across Canada, ensuring technical expertise. They were essential for building, maintaining, and operating railway lines to transport troops, ammunition, and supplies, keeping the war effort moving. 

Thomas was transferred overseas on March 28, 1918. Canadian Railway Troops (CRT) at this time were frequently under enemy fire. Because their primary mission was to push rail lines as close to the front as possible to support major offensives, they operated in highly dangerous zones. Unlike infantry who had the protection of trenches, railway troops often worked above ground in the open to build or repair tracks. This made them prime targets for artillery shelling and aerial bombing. And they were constantly in such danger because there were often roughly 100 breaks per day due to enemy shell fire. During the massive German Spring Offensive in March 1918, CRT units were forced to abandon railway work and were instead used as emergency combat troops to build rear defense trench systems under fire.

Thomas was transferred back to England on January 29, 1919 in preparation for demobilization. He was discharged in Hamilton on April 3, 1919. Thomas was single when he embarked from Canada in February, 1916. However, in a document dated July 26, 1916, he records a wife, Olive, living in Paris on Walnut Street. His parents were identified as living in Paris at the same time. Thomas and Olive must have married after he enlisted and before he went overseas. Presumably Olive lived with her in-laws on Walnut Street until Thomas’s return.