Thomas was the son of William and Harriet Emma Dinsdale and was born at Monkwearmouth 19/01/1876. The family moved to Jarrow and in 1891 were living at Cobden Street Jarrow. Father William was a sailmaker. Robert G. born 1873 was an apprentice Boiler maker, Thomas was a butcher and George W. born 1883 a scholar was born at Jarrow as were 5 sisters.

In 1895 Thomas volunteered and joined the 5th Foot of the Northumberland Fusiliers 03/12/1895. He was 19 years and 11 months old, 5 foot 4¾ inches tall with grey eyes and dark brown hair and weighing 123 pounds. He was given the service number of 4730. He was promoted to Lance Corporal and qualified to become a Corporal in 1898. He served in the Sudan Expedition of 1898 and was awarded the Khedive's Sudan medal with the Khartoum clasp. Thomas served in South Africa 1899-1902 and was awarded the Queen and King's medals for the South African War. He transferred to the Reserves in 1903.

A Butcher residing at 102 Ellison Street, Jarrow, Thomas was Initiated aged 29 years on the 30th August 1905; Passed 28th September 1905 and Raised on the 12th December 1905 into St Bede 1119 Lodge of Freemasons at Jarrow. His brother, Robert G. Dinsdale, was Master in 1914.

24/04/1905 Thomas married Sarah Jane Phillippo at St. Paul's Jarrow. By 1911 the family are living at 52 Margaret Road Whitley Bay. Margaret Emma born 1906 Jarrow, Rosa born 1907 Gateshead and Jenny born 1914 Whitley Bay completed their family.

Thomas enlisted 09/08/1916 (with a height of 5 foot 6 inches) became a Lance Corporal in November 1916 and was given service number 40964 in the Durham Light Infantry. In 1917 after 276 days' service, he was invalided out of the army due to a gastric ulcer which had been aggravated by his war service. "A steady and sober man"

Thomas died June 1918 and was buried with semi-military honours in Whitley Bay New Cemetery. His obituary appears in the Newcastle Journal for 10/06/1918. "He was a member of St. Bede's Lodge of Freemasons, Jarrow, a member of the Whitley RAOB and was associated with the Comrades of the Great War and Local Veterans' Association."

There is no CWGC entry for Thomas Dinsdale.

Thomas is remembered at Whitley Bay on W84.01 at Jarrow Masonic Hall J2.51 and in the Masonic Roll of Honour