His profile says he was born "on or before 4/5 August 1896", but surely he has got to be a bit older than that? 1896 would mean he is only 16 when we first meet him in series 1- and 15 when he was taken on as a footman. Apart from the fact that James-Collier looks older, the way Thomas is portrayed suggests a man in his twenties rather than his teens. I'd say 1890 sounds a more reasonable date.