Thomas was the only son of William Henry & the late Eliza Jane Coates of Stockton-on-Tees. At his death, his mother had died and his father was living at 24 Grays Road on the Grange Estate, Stockton. He had been born in Middlesborough in 1892
By 1910, was working in Raby Park probably as a general labourer. He joined the Royal Garrison Artillery in April 1916 & served in France & Belgium. Thomas was killed in action near Dunkerque on 28th October, 1917 aged 26 & is buried in Zuydcote Military Cemetery, Dunkerque. Gunner T Coates was reported as wounded in the Parish Magazine of September 1917.