I checked the 1861 as I was having difficulty finding the correct Thomas Helme on the 1851.

I saw that on the 1861 census his birthplace was Lancashire not the town Lancaster.
On 1851 there are 3 Thomas Helmes born Preston, Kirkham and Bulk in the right age range. Plus one Thomas Helm born Thurnham.
I have no way of knowing which is the correct one unless you have some more information about his parents or birthplace
