Born at St Marys, in western Sydney, in 1861, he became a solicitor in 1887, and practiced law in Tenterfield. He had a part with the federation of the six then colonies, as they became States of the Commonwealth of Australia. But it is as the defending lawyer of Harry 'Breaker' Morant, and two other Australian soldiers that he became world-wide known, in 1902.
His grave in the Tenterfield Cemetery is well marked, with an elevated brown sign held on two steel posts above the white marble headstone, whch reads:
[Commonwealth Military crest]
JAMES FRANCIS THOMAS
died 11th Nov. 1942
aged 81 years.
Major, Australian Bushmen's Contingent
South Africa 1900
But only close inspection of the bronze tablet on the pebblecrete covered grave explains in detail the reason why this grave is considered so important. It reads:
Major James Francis Thomas
1861 - 1942
Commanding Officer "A" Squadron New South Wales Citizens Bushmen
Country lawyer, volunteer soldier and friend to the death
"James Francis Thomas began his career in law on 28 May, 1887. After practicing briefly in Sydney, he moved to Emmaville in 1888 and thento Tenterfield in January 1890.
"Thomas served for some years in the Tenterfield arm of the voluntary Upper Clarence Light Horse where he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 1891 and Captain by 1895.
"He was among the early officers to volunteer for service to South Africa at the outbreak of the Boer War in late 1899. Having been given command of a squadron Thomas sailed for South Africa in February 1900 and was promoted to the rank of Major on 29 January 1901. He served with courage and distinction especially during the Rhenocter Kep and Bland's River Battles. He was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal with four campaign clasps.
"Major Thomas is best remembered for his defense of Lieutenant Harry Morant, Peter Handcock, George Witton and other Bushveldt Carbineers officers in the general British Court Martial proceedings held at Pietersburgh in the northern Transvaal in early 1902. The execution of Lieutenant Morant and Handcock shook Thomas. After the end of the Boer War on 31 May 1902, Thomas remained in South Africa and became associated with local sympathisers in a crusade for Witton's release from gaol in Britain.
"In civilian life, apart from his law practice, Thomas for a period owned the Tenterfield Star newspaper. He retained a lively interest in researching and writing the history of Tenterfield and supported many causes to further the progress of his community."
James Thomas' life ended while he was living north of Tenterfield, at the community of Boonoo Boonoo, in 1942.
Wikipedia summary article: Major Thomas
Boer War Memorial: Major Thomas
Light Horse account: James Thomas
Visited: 1216-7, Monday, 28 January, 2019