09/06/2026
Story Behind the Prosthetic Arm
Thomas Mawdsley (1906–1988), a bus driver from Manchester, was conscripted into the British 8th Army in 1942, serving as a gunner in Libya. After about a year of military service he was struck in the left arm by a bullet. Despite medical intervention, the damage was too severe and the arm had to be amputated. Thomas was then fitted with the prosthetic arm shown in the photo.
His injury meant he could no longer work as a driver but was given a job as a bus conductor. One day, an elderly pensioner pointed him out in the street and said, “Look at this young man not doing his war service—it’s a disgrace!” At that point, Thomas hit him over the head with the prosthetic arm and never wore it again.
Despite his injury, Thomas continued to live and work independently, coming up with innovative ways to manage tasks with one arm. He built a small polythene-covered shed in the backyard. He cut wood by holding it in place with his left foot and using a saw with his right arm. He drilled holes for screws by wedging a small hand drill against his chest. His grandchild held the wood against the backyard wall while he turned the wedged drill with his right hand.
