Thomas Mills was born on July 9, 1921, the youngest son of Gordon Mills and Gretchen K. Mills, of 104 Norman Street, Sarnia. Thomas’ father, Gordon, was on the staff of Marketing Accounting Department at Sarnia Refinery. Thomas, who had one brother, Robert, was a former student of Sarnia Collegiate. He was later employed in the Drum Plant at Sarnia Imperial Oil Limited Refinery, listing his occupation as a machinist. He enlisted in the Canadian Army on January 18, 1943, receiving training at Listowel and Camp Ipperwash. Thomas married Mrs. Gladys Mills (nee Wells) and they would have a son together. At the time of Thomas’s death, his wife and son were residing with Mrs. Mills’ parents, Mr. and Mrs. E. Wells, at 128 Penrose Street, Sarnia.

Thomas went overseas on July 18, 1943, and while in England, he transferred to the Perth Regiment R.C.I.C.. Private Thomas Mills arrived in Italy in October 1943. His parents Gordon and Gretchen in Sarnia had received letters from Thomas on September 9 and 15, 1944. In the latter letter, Thomas said that he was out of the lines at the time but that he expected to return to them soon.  On October 1, 1944, Private Thomas Mills would lose his life during fighting in Italy, near Rimini, during the Italian Campaign.

In mid-October of 1944, parents Gordon and Gretchen Mills in Sarnia would receive a telegram from Ottawa informing them that their son, Private Thomas Mills, has been killed in action on September 1 in Italy. No details of his death were given. Since parents Gordon and Gretchen had received letters written by their son on September 9 and 15, they believed that there was an error in the transmission, and that his death should have read October 1. Thomas Mills would later be officially listed as, Overseas casualty, killed in action, in the field (Italy). In late October 1945, a stained glass window in memory of Pte. Thomas Gordon Mills was unveiled and dedicated at a morning service in Canon Davis Memorial Church. Twenty-three year old Thomas Mills is buried in Cesena War Cemetery, Italy, Grave III, G, 8. On Thomas Mills’ headstone are inscribed the words, Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life.

SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, J, L, N, O, 2C, 2D