Thomas Henry Michael Palles was born in Liverpool, Lancashire, England in 1867 and his birth was registered in the June quarter of that year. He was the son of Michael Palles (1835-August 29, 1896) and Catherine Higginbottom (b. 1845). His father was from Ireland and his mother was from Liverpool and they had married in Liverpool in 1865.

Thomas first appears on the 1871 census living at an address in Toxteth Park, West Derby, Liverpool with his parents and sister Ellen Catherine (b. 1869). On the 1881 census the family are living at 2 In 12 CT Hampton Street, Toxteth Park, including his grandmother Catherine Higginbottom and sister Emily (b. 1872). His father is described as a venetian blind maker and his mother as a housekeeper.

Thomas isn't present at the time of the 1891 census but his parents are living at 3 Windsor Street, Toxteth Park. By the time of the 1901 census Thomas is again absent but his mother is listed as living by her own means at 7 Windsor Street, Southampton. Thomas is apparently absent by the time of the 1911 census also, but his mother is living at 45 Upper Parliament Street, Liverpool with her married daughter Emily Palles-Edwards and her family.

Thomas was on board for her delivery trip from Belfast to Southampton. When he signed on to the Titanic again in Southampton he gave his address as 25 Upper Palmer Street, Liverpool (1) and his last ship as the Ivernia. As a greaser he could expect to earn monthly wages of £6 10s.

Thomas Palles, who was unmarried, was lost in the Titanic disaster. His body, if recovered, was never identified.

His mother Catherine continued to live in Liverpool and died there on November 27, 1918.

Thomas is mentioned on his parents' headstone in Toxteth Park Cemetery, Liverpool:

".... Also Thomas (Tommy),
The Dearly Loved And Only Son of the Above
Who was lost on the R.M.S. TITANIC
15th April 1912,
Aged 43 Years
Nearer My God To Thee..."