Thomas was born around 1879, in Sheffield, the son of Francis Larder, a coachman and gardener.  By the age of 22 Thomas was employed as a Brass Turner and living with his parents at 32 Stafford Road.  During 1904 he married Edith Annie Johnson, moved to 6 Mona Road while continuing to work as a Brass machinist/turner. 

At some time during the 1920s he changed occupations and was listed as Thomas Larder & Son, table cutlery manufacturers located at 27a Hands Road, living at 29 Hands Road.  According to the 1939 survey Thomas had retired but local directory's' still included the company until 1942.  Thomas died in Liverpool in 1956, aged 83, leaving £1466 10s 6d and naming his widow, Edith and son William Edwin Larder, a fishing tackle manufacturer, as executors