But tragically the dreams of the Suffolk teenager were cut short when he became one of the youngest victims of the 1912 disaster as the infamous ship hit an iceberg.

The thoughts of Thomas as he was about to sail across the Atlantic were written down in a letter to his mother, Elizabeth Coe Mudd, who lived in the village of Huntingfield near Halesworth.

His letter said: "Dear Mother & all at home. I am now taking the opportunity of sending you a few lines about how we started from Southhampton [sic].

"We have been having very rough weather but the ship is so steady you would hardly know it was moving, was it not for the throbbing of the engines.

"We are now nearing Queenstown. The ship is like a magnificent palace. The lounge & dining hall are very beautiful. We are having excellent food.

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The letter was dated on April 11, a day after he set sail from Southampton (Image: © Forum Auctions) READ MORE: Signs in Huntingfield, Suffolk, against Wilderness Reserve

"I have made friends with........

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