In addition to the War Memorial for St. Mark’s that Thomas undertook (mentioned in more detail under War Memorials), he was also approached for his sculptural skills in decorating the Church in a sensitive and appropriate manner, by Mr Blomfield, who was the Architect.
Subsequently, the Church was embellished with a series of panels, each carved in marble by Thomas. These three, a central panel and two side ones formed a tryptich.
The central and largest panel takes the Crucifixion as its theme. Thomas describes it in his notes as: ‘Christ on the cross, on the left, Mary his mother, supported by Mary of Cleopas and on the right St. John’.
To the left of this panel, a smaller one features St George and the Dragon. To the right of the main panel, is one of St Stephen, the first Martyr. Beyond the marble panels, to right and left were painted wings, planned and executed by Thomas, in keeping with the inspiration and request of the Vicar of St Mark’s at the time, W G Pennyman 1918-1938. On the left wings, there is the “Call to Arms” and “Joining Up”. On the right wings there are the paintings of “Sacrifice” and “Victory”.
On 28th December 1919, the Vicar had written to Thomas about his suggestions, which were then incorporated into his work.
In 1929, Thomas was again asked to share his skill as a sculptor. This time, it was the Angel Lectern, in Bronze, on a carved wooden plinth. Sadly, I understand this was stolen from St Mark’s in 1977.