Menin Gate Memorial
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Thomas James Price was born January 29th 1878 at Pontardawe, Glamorganshire, Wales, son of Henry Price of Portsmouth, husband of Matilda M. A. Smith and father of Thomas, Henry and Mabel Price.
He enlisted in Durham assigned to the 1/8th Durham Light Infantry. His service record no longer exists, however, his details appear in the U.K. De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour, 1914-1919.
Price, Thomas James, Company Quartermaster-Sergeant, No 8, 1/8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. Son of the late Henry Price of Portsmouth, born in Wales 20th January 1878. Educated at Albert Road Board School Portsmouth. Was a plumber and for upwards of ten years was in the employ of Messrs Laidler & Sons Electrical Engineers of New Elvet Durham; then went to South Moor and worked at the Louisa Colliery. Joined the Volunteers in February 1895 and afterwards passed into the Territorials becoming Sergeant about 1902. Was in training with the 8th D.L.I. at Conway Camp when war broke out in August 1914; volunteered for foreign service and was promoted to C.Q.M.S. in May; crossed to France 19th April 1915; went into the trenches a few days later and was reported missing after the heavy fighting at Ypres on the 26th of that month and is now assumed to have been killed in action on that day. Colonel John Turnbull described him as one of his best N.C.O.'s and Captain F.G. Harvey wrote that he was a true soldier and one of the keenest men in the battalion. As a marksman he attained considerable efficiency and won several regimental trophies. He was a regular shooting member of the team of the Durham City Rifle Club and afterwards of the Craghead Rifle Club and for several years acted as captain of the former and won the Silver Cup in December 1913. He has also Bronze, Silver and Gold Medals for shooting. He married at St. Oswald's Church Durham 5th September 1903 Matilda M.A. (South Moor Durham) the daughter of Thomas W. (and Eliza) Smith of Durham and had three children; Thomas Smith born 10th June 1907, Henry Victor born 17th February 1910 and Mabel Agnes born July 15th 1904.
The sacrifice of C.Q.S. Thomas James Price is recorded on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium, panel 36 and 38, one of the 34,984 names of the missing from the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth who died on the Ypres salient, whose bodies have never been identified or found.
His widow Matilda received all monies due to him, a pension for herself and their children and his awards of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Thomas James Price is remembered at Craghead on C120.01 and C120.04, at South Moor on S129.01, and at Durham on D47.019 and D47.156b
