Thomas had a farming and grazing property at Oakwood, north of Inverell when in January 1915 he decided to return to England to take up his commission with the British Army. Although born in Melbourne, Victoria, he had previosuly served with the British Army for five years, retiring in 1908. After arriving in England, he joined the Cameronians 2nd Scottish Rifles and trained at Uig in northern Scotland. He was promoted from Lieutenant to Captain and then became a Major.
Major Grice died of wounds in France on 15 June 1916 and buried at Couin British Cemetery, Couin, Arras, France. He was thirty four years old. His wife Clarice, whom he married in Sydney in 1911, had travelled to England with him, intending to work with the Red Cross in London.
After his death, Major Grice's Oakwood property, Moorakyne, was subdivided and sold for soldier settler blocks. His name is on the Oakwood Honour Roll and the Inverell Cenotaph. He is also remembered on an Honor Roll at The Inverell Club where he had been a member during his time here.
Photo: Australian War Memorial Image PO8936_003