Lives of the First World War

1901 Census Return of Tom's family. Tom is 4, his brother John ( later known as Jack) also on this site, is 2.

1911 Census Return for Tom's family. Tom is 13, his brother John ( later known as Jack) also on this site, is 12.

Corporal Tom Wheatley, Medal Index Card

Tom's Medal Roll from the Military Police, stating see RFA Medal Roll for medal issue and where to look.

This is the Royal Field Artillery (RFA) Medal Roll from which Tom was issued his British War Medal (BWM) and Victory Medal.

This is a water colour of Newton Street Holborn, London, painted in 1895 by J.P. Emslie, a well known water colourist. I found this in Camden Library. The printers seen here are where great uncle Tom's father, my great grandfather, Charles Wheatley worked as a printer. On the right can be seen Holland and Thurston Buildings where Tom was born and lived until he was mobilised as a Territorial Soldier in August 1914. So this is where he was born and brought up, then left to go to war.

Lance Bombardier Tom Wheatley 'A' Battery 290 Brigade Royal Field Artillery Written on the Picture: 26/05/1918

These are the British War Medal (BWM) and Victory medal that would have been awarded to great uncle Tom. His originals are missing, as far as I know.

This is Military History Sheet 2 for Cpl Tom Wheatley while serving in the Military Mounted Police.

This is the Description on Enlistment of Cpl Tom Wheatley Military Mounted Police.

This is the Military History Sheet setting out previous service of Cpl Tom Wheatley. It was completed on his re-enlistment in the Army in July 1920.It states his father, my great grand father Charles as next of kin. It also sets out dates of service in France and Home, during WW1, when he served in the Royal Field Artillery.

This is the Attestation Sheet of Cpl Tom Wheatley, on rejoining the Army in July 1920. He signed on for 2 years with the Military Mounted Police. His Original Attestation paper's for the Royal Field Artillery, which he joined in 1914, were probably destroyed during the blitz in WW2.

This is the Military Mounted Police, Statement of Service Sheet for Cpl Tom Wheatley.

This is the Conduct Sheet of Tom Wheatley, while serving in the Military Mounted Police.

This is Tom Wheatley's Statement of Service from his Attestation paper work, when he rejoined the Army in July 1920. This page sets out his previous service in the Royal Field Artillery from 3rd April 1914 to 31st April 1920. Interestingly there is no mention of the Military Foot Police, which is listed on his Medal Index Card (MIC) and one of his Medal Rolls. Was this an admin error on the MIC which flowed through? Its clear from his service records, he only served with the Royal Field Artillery and subsequently the Military Mounted Police. If he had served with the Mounted Foot Police it would have been listed on his service records. This record is also certified as a true copy by a Captain ( I can't read the name) who was I/C Records, Military Police Corps.

Royal Field Artillery Cap Badge Territorial Army (TA) as worn up to 1916. After they had the word Volunteer instead of the laurels. I believe by the wars end and certainly after, they had the same cap badge as the regulars. That is, the same as this but with UBIQUE where the laurels are. See other RFA cap badge picture. With thanks to 'Sepoy' of the Great War Forum.

Marriage Registration 25 October 1920 for Tom Wheatley and Ethel Rent

This picture is of me having laid a wreath at the 58th (2/1) London Div memorial, Chipilly, next to the Somme River on the morning of 8th August 2018, 100 years to the day of the start of the battle of Amien of which they were an integral part.