Ian Thomas (Big Tom 31)

[Lofty-25]

2570

It is with a heavy heart that i announce to the Forum of the passing of Big Tom 31

My sincere condolences to Liz (Toms wife) and family at this very sad and trying time

There are no details of Ian's funeral, but details will be published once they are known

Rest in Peace my friend, you will be sadly missed by all that knew you

[eglen john]

RIP Ian.........A true gentleman and a dear friend

[humph52]

very sad news rip tom

[keith may]

justed found out 10 mins ago my thoughts are with liz and family R .I.P. IAN (BIG TOM31 ) KEITH MAY AND ALL AT CARDIFF RWFCA.

[rikoshea]

Rest in peace Big man, my condolences go to Liz and his family, yet another good one taken away from us to early to stand alongside many of his comrades on that parade ground in the sky.

only the good are taken away before their time and Tom you were a good one.

[peelow]

What agreat man and friend always a true gentleman and my thoughts are with his family this sad moment. Gone but not forgotten. RIP. Big Tom. PEELOW.

[tony48]

rip ian very sad news

[keithwill38]

Very sad to hear that Ian has passed away some wonderful memories of him from when he first joined at the Depot,through to 7 plt and always a huge presence on the rugby field,my thoughts are with his family at this sad time,RIP big fella

[Dai 55]

Very sad indeed,no more pain now mate always remember you,my thoughts go out to Liz and family at this very sad day,
RIP MATE
Dai 55

[hoppy41]

sad news rest in peace BIG TOM31

[keith darlington]

I share all the tributes made to Big Tom on the forum. We have lost a well respected man , what we have not lost is the memories we have of him. Very sad news my thoughts are with his family and friends.

[Braz]

Condolences to Liz and Family from all at the Denbigh Branch of the Royal Welch Fusiliers Comrades Association. RIP Big Guy. Braz

[led9750]

Rest in peace Big Tom , from Led Georgena Sarran Sherilee , and Stuart Blything , we all thought the world of you , sondolences to Tom's Family
Such sad news

[Sheena Morgan]

Very sad news indeed, sincere condolences to the family. Rest in peace Big Tom x

[richjones16]

Very sad news RIP Tom 31 My thoughts are with your family

[Bob Bacon]

A sad day indeed. A real character, gentleman and hero who will be missed.

It was a pleasure knowing you big fella. Will sink one for you at the next game, RIP mate!

[Guvs]

It was a pleasure knowing Tom, God bless him and sincere condolences to his family at this sad time.
Steve

[bennyball2]

A dear friend, so sad taken so young, you will always be a special person Tom, you were loved by many and when you get to see all our mates gone by, tell them they will never be forgotten and we will all be together some day.

[Owen W]

Damn.

As I said as part of the earlier thread following 'Big Tom's' condition, a 'big guy' in every sense and a sad loss. It is great to hear that close Royal Welch friends were able to see him near the end.

All our thoughts are with his wife, family and friends.

Sad news.

Owen W

[Gwyn Nicholas]

I will remember Big Tom as a big man with a big personality and a big wonderfull knowing smile. He will be sorely missed by all who had the privilege of serving with and knowing him. Godbless Tom.

[Rog Ball 01]

A very sad loss indeed. Tom will always be remembered by those who knew him well. RIP big fellow.

[parrot]

One of the nicest guys i ever met a true gent. you will be sorely missed by all who knew you Tom. My thoughts are with his family. Sleep well my friend

[TRAV 24]

RIP Tom ,Condolences to Family ,Friends and Comrades.

[Barry69]

Like all one knew Tom, we are all very saddened, The gentle giant with a heart of gold, Lemgo has many found memories of Tom in C Coy on the RP Staff and around town, especially Sammys bar. Rest in peace big man, I am sure heaven has a guard room!

[ap1]

My earliest recollections of Tom are from Lemgo, when he was an NCO in 2Pl. To me as a young fusilier, I respected him, he always looked after his guys and he was always friendly and approachable. A great bloke. I have happy memories of him singing "We are Warriors" in the Zur Post on a friday afternoon. Deepest sympathies to Liz and the family.

[nasher546]

Very sad news indeed. My most vivid recollections of Tom were in C Coy in Lemgo and of course Londonderry '78. He was a true Royal Welchman who was as large as life itself. A big man with a very big heart.

My sincere condolances to Liz and the family.

RIP Tom.

[SHAUN MCCORMACK]

My sincere condolences to Liz and family at this very sad time. RIP Tom

[Jenkins7236]

So sad, I had the privelige to work with Tom for a while in Lemgo and I have to say that I enjoyed every minute. What a great man, RIP. I only buried my Father Thursday. Condolences to Liz and family.

[steve wright]

RIP Tom - thoughts are with his family at this sad time


Steve

[williams 91]

i joined up the same time as ian, done our training together, im going to miss you old friend,thinking of your familly at this sad time, see on the other side my friend, will 91.

[sixties]

Our Sympathy to the family.

[Richards 47]

Such sad news, Another great man gone. See you in that great Zur Post in the sky old friend. Sincere condolences to Toms family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

[CARL PUGH]

My sincere condolences to Liz and family at this very sad time. RIP BigTom

[Paul Hinge]

Just got home to find out this awful news. Big Tom 31 (Ian) was a character. All the tributes to him on this forum just show in what esteem he was held by all who knew him. On behalf of Shirley and I we would wish to send our sincere condolences to his family and close friends; and on behalf of the Aberystwyth Branch the same sentiments are sent.
Until we meet again Ian on that great Parade Ground above sleep tight friend in the sure knowledge that you are in our thoughts always.


Paul Hinge
Hon Secretary
Aberystwyth Branch

[Bricoates]

All at the Caernarfon Branch RWFCA sends our deepest sympathy and condolences to all Big Tom's Family and Friends at this sad time

[anitacorbett]

We too rememeber Big Tom and send our thoughts and prayers to those he left behind and who are feeling so sad right now. May he rest in peace,
God bless to him and his loved ones.
Anita & Clive Corbett xx

[Dai72]

i joined up the same time as ian, done our training together, im going to miss you old friend,thinking of your familly at this sad time, see on the other side my friend, will 91.

I shared a bed space with Ian, when i moved over from Junior's in Crickhowell. A character from the start. RIP Big man Dai, Michelle and family.

[Mal Owen 96]

Condolence to Liz and family , RIP Big Tom

[wally15]

verry sad to hear about tom he was a great bloke rest in peace tom condolances to your family 15

[Paul Davies 701]

Rip tom mate

[Bob Lloyd]

I was so so sad to hear this news. Tom 31 was a great man in every sense of the word. He had a huge personality, always smiling and always ready to help a friend in need (and he helped me out a few times!). He was also the only man in the Bn that I could give my size 13 US Army jungle boots to! He will be sorely missed by his family and friends and I send them all my heartfelt condolences. With deepest sympathy, Bob

'There are many kinds of sorrow, in this world of love and hate, but there is no sterner sorrow than a soldier's for his mate'

[evans70]

Big Tom had no enemies a gentle giant, another true Royal Welchman as left us. Condolences to his family.It was a pleasure knowing him.

[BennytheBall]

Once again another comrade has been taken to the Association in the sky.Our deepest sympathy goes out to Ian's wife Liz, family, Friends and Comrades's at this very sad time.From All at the Shotton and Deeside Branch RWFCABig Tom RIP

[Gerrycc943]

Deepest condolences to family, friends and comrades at this very sad time from all at the London Branch RWFCA. RIP Mate.

Gerry 43
Hon Sec
London Branch