Lives of the First World War

notice of funeral from the local paper - 1914 - Wandsworth

In the uniform of the London and South Western Railway. He worked at Nine Elms and Clapham junction after leaving the Royal Marines and marrying in 1905. He joined the RMs in 1893

Thomas is seated 2nd Right. A keen sportsman, the commanding officer who wrote the letter of condolence to his wife is seated far left. In his letter he used the analogy that Thomas was the bravest of the brave and that it was only thomas who he trusted to go out with him on patrol and that he always "played the game". So sad.........

Apparently, always a real character- he is, naturally, the only one sitting down, in the middle of the picture! he is carrying a lot more weight than later pictures of him show! My dad said he reckoned there might be some half brothers or sisters of his in Sydney!

Thomas's wife, Emma. I have no idea when this was taken but they married in 1905 - maybe an engagement photo? he rejoined the Royal Marines in early August 1914 - i don't think they would have had time to arrange a photo for him to take with him.

I am not sure when this photo was taken but i think it was around 1914, when my dad was 8 - he is john, standing back left.

i look at this picture of the four sons - sitting in the same places as they were when they were children - and can only think how proud emily was and how utterly proud and thankful thomas would have been. To think of the sacrifices - both of Thomas's life and Emily's utterly exhausting work - I am so very grateful to them both. All four boys, while not becoming rich or professionals, did really well. Brought up families and were model citizens. Indeed, one son died at El Alamein a fact his mother never knew. A great great grandaughter is a Professor at Cambridge! I think of the sacrifices and it reminds me that some of us stand on the shoulders of giants.

dedicated war memorial to those who worked for the railway who sacrificed their lives 1914-1918

Thomas did not have a headstone erected after his funeral - I assume my grandmother was too poor. The CWGC kindly erected one 70 years after his death.