BIO

On 28 June 1941, Arthur J Thomas was named as 19th man in his league debut against Sturt. Norwood won the game 20.16 to 15.15.
 
A few weeks later he was on a wing when Norwood played Glenelg on the Norwood Oval, with champion full forward Bruce Schultz kicking 19 goals.
 
The following game, Thomas again started on the bench, against West Adelaide on 26 July 1941. He replaced Schultz in the first quarter when the goal-sneak injured his knee after kicking his 100th goal for the season.
 
Thomas was again 19th man in his last league appearance, against North Adelaide at Prospect.
 
While he struggled for a regular spot in the strong senior team that ultimately went on to win the 1941 premiership, he was named the Norwood reserves best and fairest for that year.
 
Thomas served his country during World War II, enlisting in the Royal Australian Air Force

R Cialini May 2019

* Our picture of Flight Lieutenant Thomas at Iwakuni, Japan, in 1953 is from the Australian War Museum