Albert Ernest Thomas died in Barmouth on May 25th, 1928, aged 51.
He was the fifth surviving son of the late Capt. Joseph Thomas, of Dolcoath Mine, under whom he started his mining experience. In 1892 he graduated at the Camborne School of Mines, where he had specially distinguished himself and obtained the highest prizes, and on completion of his course he remained for twelve months as assistant in chemistry and assaying to Messrs C. & J.J. Beringer.
Following six months’ experience of lead-mining in Wales under his brother, R. Arthur Thomas, he went to South Africa in 1893 and worked at the Ferreira Gold mine. In 1895 he was appointed mine manager of the Worcester Gold Mines, Johannesburg, but with the consent of the directors he resigned that position in the following year to go to Western Australia, where he took charge of the mining and reporting work of the New Austral Co. of Paris, holding the general management of a group of mines under that company’s control. While in Australia he was honorary vice-president of the Chamber of Mines of W.A., and for many years at member of the executive council, and he was elected a member of the Legislative Assembly.
Returning to England in 1902 he resided in Camborne for some time, and took up political life at a period coinciding with the Tariff Reform activities of Mr. Joseph Chamberlain, of whom he was an ardent partisan. After this digression he returned to his profession, and undertook the management of a group of lead mines in Shropshire. Subsequently, he visited the United States, Brazil, Nigeria, Spain, Portugal and the Federated Malay States.
Mr. Thomas was elected a Member of the Institution in 1909.
Vol. 33, Trans IMM 1923-4, p.540
