The War Graves of Ystradgynlais

Kenneth Vernon Thomas joined the Royal Air Force in September 1941 and was killed in action in the Far East in February 1945.

A photograph of Kenneth Vernon Thomas was kindly provided by his sister, Mrs Norah Steyn, who has since died.

The information on Kenneth Vernon Thomas has been compiled from a number of sources, including the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, from the South Wales Voice newspaper, and the Parish Burial Register (courtesy of the Swansea Archives).

	Kenneth Vernon Thomas To the left is a photograph of Warrant Officer K V Thomas, kindly provided by his sister, Mrs Norah Steyn, who has since died.

From the South Wales Voice newspaper, 20th June 1942 :-

"WINGS" IN THE RAF
Mr. Kenneth Vernon Thomas, eldest son of Mr. Stanley Thomas of Lluest and grandson of Mrs. E. Thomas of 15, Oddfellows Street, has received his "wings" at Brandon, Canada. Born at Swansea, he is an old pupil of Maes y Dderwen County School.
After undergoing training as an engineer, S/P Thomas passed into the Civil service. Prior to entering the RAF last September, Kenneth was employed as an engineer by the London GPO. He lived in Wembley for four years and was a popular member of the Home Guard. He was also organiser of the Post Office Hiking Club, and was keenly interested in sports.

From the South Wales Voice newspaper, 24th February 1945 :-

YSTRADGYNLAIS PILOT MISSING
Mr. Stanley Thomas, Lluest, Ystradgynlais, received the news on Monday week that his eldest son, Pilot Warrant Officer Kenneth Vernon Thomas, RAF is missing after an operation in the Far East. Two days previously, his father received a letter from Kenneth that he was receiving hospital treatment. W/O Thomas, who would have been 29 on 15th February, received his engineering training at the Park Lane Training College, London and passed into the Civil Service.
Before joining the RAF in, September 1941, he was employed in the engineering department of the GPO London. He gained his wings in Canada. He was brought up by his grandmother, Mrs. John Thomas of Oddfellow Street, Ystradgynlais, who is 87 years of age. Deep sympathy is extended to his father and aged grandmother in their anxiety.
W⁄O Thomas is an old pupil of the Cynlais and Maes y Dderwen Schools.

From the South Wales Voice newspaper, 3rd March 1945 :-

YSTRADGYNLAIS PILOT KILLED
In last week's issue was recorded the news that Pilot Warrant Officer Kenneth Vernon Thomas, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Thomas of 5, Lleust, Ystradgynlais, was reported missing after operations in the Far East. Last weekend his parents received the sad news that he had been killed. Kenneth was 29, and joined the RAF in September 1941.
Sympathy is extended to the parents and aged grandmother, Mrs. John Thomas of Oddfellows Street, Ystradgynlais, in their sorrow.