Individual Details

“Murder Most Foul”

On Saturday night February 12th 1921, Thomas Thomas, manager of the Star Supply Stores, a well-known chain of shops, was bludgeoned and stabbed to death for the contents of the safe. There is no evidence that the murderer was ever caught. Two detectives from Scotland Yard investigated the crime according to the practice of the day. They were Inspector Nichols and Sargeant Cummins. An inquest was also held.
The Star Supply Stores was said to be three doors from the Coronation Arcade in Garnant, and the rear of the premesis was opposite the G.W.R. branch line. The assailant was thought to have gained entry through the rear door.
Thomas had worked for the Star Company for about fifteen years in a similar position at their Llandeilo and Bridgend branches. He was single and lodged with Mr & Mrs Stephens at Park View, Horney Road. He was well thought of and was described as an industrious manager. He was known to be of “delicate health” and was described as being “quiet and inoffensive”. He was a native of Llangyndeyrn parish and his father was a well-known shoemaker in Pontantwn. His only brother John gave evidence at the inquest. He was a stationmaster for the L&N.W. Railway Company and lived in Mumbles Road, Blackpill, Swansea.
Several hundred people attended the funeral and all businesses closed for the day in Garnant and Glanamman. After a short service at Horney Road conducted by the Rev. John Thomas pastor of Bethesda, Glanamman, the cortege comprising of a motor hears and up to twenty cars left for the burial service at Llangyndeyrn parish church. The vicar of Garnant, the Rev. William Williams also attended. The hymn sung was “Yn y dyfroedd mawr a'r tonnau”. The main mourners were his brother John Thomas and a sister named only as Mrs. Thomas. The bearers were all members of the Star Supply Company staff inspectors.
Brother John speaking at the inquest said of his brother: “He was never very robust, he was stone deaf in one ear and had little service in the other. He suffered from headaches and varicose veins and he had been operated on for nasal problems in Swansea”.




His simple epitaph at Llangyndeyrn reads:

“Thomas Thomas died February 12 1921. 44 years old”

All the above from The Amman Valley Chronicle and East Carmarthen News. Published on Thursday February 17th 1921. A copy is available at the Carmarthen Town Library.

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Birth	10 Apr 1876	Llangendeirne, Carmarthenshire
Residence	1881	with his parents - Cottage, Llangendeirne, Carmarthenshire
Residence	1891	38, King Street, Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire
Occupation	1891	apprentice grocer to Thomas Smith, grocer and confectioner - 38, King Street, Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire
Residence	1901	as a boarder - 11, Stockland Street, Canton, Cardiff, Glamorganshire
Occupation	1901	grocer'e shop assistant - Cardiff, Glamorganshire
Residence	1911	as a boarder - Y Gongl, 12 Port Terrace, Maesteg, Glamorganshire
Occupation	1911	grocer shop manager - the Star Supply Stores, Maesteg, Glamorganshire
Residence	Feb 1921	Park View, Horney Road, Garnant, Carmarthenshire
Death	12 Feb 1921	by murder by person or persons unknown - Star Supply Stores, Garnant, Carmarthenshire
Burial	17 Feb 1921	Llangendeirne Parish Church, Carmarthenshire
Occupation	From 1919 to 1921	manager - Star Supply Stores, Garnant, Carmarthenshire

Father	James THOMAS (1838 - 1919)
Mother	Elizabeth GRIFFITHS (1840 - 1906)
Sibling	John THOMAS (1877 - 1966)
Sibling	Hannah THOMAS (1879 - 1954)