Edward Algernon D'Arcy Thomas was an old Cheltonian, and was commissioned into the 29th Foot from Sandhurst in 1878. He was one of the very few surviving officers of the 29th who went to India with that battalion in January, 1879.
His first regimental appointment was that of Instructor-in-Musketry to the battalion, then considered to be the stepping stone to the Adjutancy, which eventually fell to him in Karachi in 1886. He was always spoken of as one of the best Adjutants the battalion ever had. His memory was
marvellous, and he knew pretty well everyone of the 1000 men of the battalion by name. It was said, with a semblance of truth, perhaps, that during his Adjutancy from 1886 to 1890, the 1st battalion was an "Adjutant's battalion"; meaning, it is supposed, that the "Command" of the battalion reflected the policy of the Adjutant rather than that of the
Commanding Officer. But when the General was told this some forty years
afterwards, he said, "I never knew of that before. But it is a libel, really, as I never did a thing that had not the full approval of Ned
Carrington." (Note.—Colonel Edmund Carrington, who then commanded the Battalion.)
In December, 1890, he relinquished his Adjutancy for employment on the Staff; first as Station Staff Officer, Poona, and then as
D.A.A.G. Kampti. He afterwards served for a further five years with the Bengal Nagpur Railway Volunteers.
On re-joining for regimental duty in 1901, he was posted to the (then) newly-formed 3rd Battalion
Worcestershire Regiment in Tipperary as Second-in-Command, and he afterwards commanded that battalion from
February 1904, to February 1908. He was a strict disciplinarian, but wholly just; he was as quick to applaud and reward good work as he was to deal with failings. His genial manner, and his methods of exercising his command, and his complete understanding of his men, won their willing service and love and admiration.
It was his outstanding success as a battalion commander that brought him to the notice of Sir John French, the
Commander-in-Chief, Aldershot. His battalion was fit and efficient in every respect, and was the best shooting battalion in the Aldershot Command, if not in the whole Army.
Brig.-General E. A. D'Arcy Thomas
(known as "D'Arcy")
D'Arcy, as he was known to his many friends, had never graduated at the Staff College, and was thus under a heavy handicap when the filling of vacancies for Staff appointments was being considered; but towards the end of his command it was realised that he was too good a man to lose, and he was offered and accepted an appointment on the Staff of the Army in India as Assistant Adjutant-General, at the termination of which he went on retired pay.
On the outbreak of the 1914-18 war he was brought back to the Active List, and raised the 78th Infantry Brigade, which he commanded in France for some time. He afterwards was given the Command of the troops in the Isle of Man. For his services he was awarded the C.M.G.
He shone, not only as a soldier, but as a keen sportsman. He represented the Regiment at cricket and polo, he was a good shot and a keen shikari, and he was a good horseman.
Brigadier-General E. A. D'Arcy Thomas, C.M.G., died on 2nd December 1937 (age 79), and was buried at Bradninch, near Cullompton, Devon.
Officers of the 3rd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment at Aldershot 1905
Standing: 2/Lt. H. I. E. Ripley, Lt. J. Bathe, 2/Lt. G. L. Stoney, Lt. J. F.
Badham, Lt. M. A. Sole, Lt. R. F. Traill,
Lt. J. T. Goff, Lt. A. C. Johnson, Lt. C. C. Messervy, Lt. T. H. Hughes, Lt.
C. V. Beresford.
Seated: Capt. C. T. F. Dillion, Capt. E. Hankey, Capt. J. F. S. Winnington,
Capt. A. S. Nesbitt,
Major C. B. Westmacott, Lieut.-Col. E. A. D'Arcy Thomas, Major W. R.
Chichester, Capt. A. de B. Rose,
Capt. M. R. Walsh, Capt. D. C. H. Chisholm