Thomas was put onto the army reserve list in 1914 but was not called until 12 July 1915. He joined the RAMC (TF) as a Private in the 1st London Sanitary Company and his army number was 527750. He was stationed at Chelsea Barracks which was the headquarters for, amongst other companies, 1st & 2nd London General & Clearing Hospitals RAMC and 1st & 2nd London Sanitary Companys RAMC. He remained there until being despatched to Salonica with the Medical Expeditionary Force on 17 October 1915. Between 1915 and 1918, British troops were part of a multi-national Allied force fighting against the Bulgarians and their allies in the Balkans. Although disease and the harsh conditions took a heavy toll, they eventually brought the campaign to a successful conclusion. Whilst Thomas was in Salonica in 1916, he sent home a studio photograph of himself in uniform. He utterley hated the war and was disgusted by the conditions they had to endure such as cold water for shaving and terrible food. The 1st London Sanitary Company published a magazine called The Yellow Band and issue No.5 Vol.1 was published in August 1916, shortly before Thomas was sent home. The reason for the title is illustrated on the cover of the magazine.

He returned to England on 10 October 1916 having reached the rank of Lance Corporal. He had caught dysentry and was waiting to be invalided out of the army. In May and June that year he was at Brocton Camp, possibly guarding prisoners of war, then in July and August he was at Remount Depot at Swaythling near Southampton. He was issued with passes on a monthly basis to be absent from camp after duties and one specific pass to travel to London between 1 and 2 June 1917. His rank shown on the passes showed initially as Lance corporal, next as Sergeant then back to Private. However, his rank was Private at the time of his discharge.

On 20 September 1917, Thomas was issued with a certificate at the Southern Command Discharge Centre at Airlie Hutments Winchester. This instructed him to proceed to his home and await futher instructions as to his discharge from service. His rank was shown on this certificate as Private. Another source shows his as Private acting Sergeant which is supported by the fact that he had a swagger stick. The certificate stated that it took effect 21 days from the date of issue and that he should make immediate contact at his local Post Office for pension arrangements. He was discharged on 11 October 1917 and it was not until 19 October that he received his final payment of £5:12:2 from the army, this sum including a gratuity. Thomas was awarded the War Badge for "services rendered" in H.M.'s Military Forces since 4 August 1914. This badge was awarded to service personnel who were medically downgraded on being invalided out of service as recorded on his Medal Card. He was also awarded the usual "Pip, Squeek and Wilfred war medals" according to his service record form.

According to Thomas's Registration Card, he was finally discharged from the army on 11 November 1917. On 23 November 1918, he, along with other soldiers discharged on medical grounds, met the King at Buckingham Palace to receive his praise. Thomas continued to receive a pension until the end of 1919 when he was fit to return to teaching again.

 

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