Private Thomas Rogers was killed in action on 1.7.1916 on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. Forming part of the attacking force on Beaumont-Hamel the 1st Battalion advancing south of Y Ravine was soon cut down by machine-gun fire from the front and from both flanks. Those men who got forward were held up at uncut wire and the small number that cleared this formidable obstacle were either taken prisoner or killed. Battalion casualties for the Beaumont-Hamel enterprise were 549 including their Commanding Officer.