Jack Thomas (footballer, born 1890)

Thomas worked as a miner.[3] After the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914,[3] he enlisted as a lance corporal in the Durham Light Infantry.[2] In 1915, Thomas took part in the Second Battle of Ypres. During the battle, he was taken prisoner of war near Boetleer's Farm and was sent to Germany,[4] where he was incarcerated with French prisoners and learnt the language.[3] He eventually escaped with four other French prisoners and by using a compass which had been hidden in a cake sent from home, he made it to the neutral Netherlands.[3] Upon his return to Britain, Thomas was interrogated as a possible German spy, but was then sent back to France to work in counter-espionage, by posing as a French dock worker.[3] He won the Meritorious Service Medal during the course of his service.[5]