The epitaph on his headstone, as transcribed by Foster in 1901 reads: "Through life's tempestuous dreary waste/his mortal race he's run/snatched by the sudden hand of death/before the judgement throne". There is also a note that his grave was relocated to La Perouse. However, the headstone has been lost. See ref # 332. His body was found floating in a small creek to the east of the landing at Fort Macquarie and he had apparently been in the water for some time. According to the reports of the inquest, Thomas had been seen drunk early in the day on leave believed to have fallen on the wharf on his way back to the ship. ref # 332 Seen drunk early in the day on leave believed to have fallen on the wharf on his way back to the ship
Sources
Domestic Intelligence Column- Inquest - Drowning SMH Sat 19 March 1842 p 2
Domestic Intelligence - Inquest Sydney Free Press Saturday 19 March 1842 page 2;
