Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Thomas James Curtis was born 1882 in East Ruston, Norfolk, one of 6 known children, 3 boys and 3 girls, born to William Curtis 1811 of East Barsham, Norfolk and Maria Mays 1809 Little Walsingham, Norfolk. The date of their marriage is unknown as records online begin in September 1837 although their first child was born in 1836 which would place it around 1834-35. William worked all his life as a carpenter, he died February 4th 1898, his wife Maria had preceded him 13 years earlier, April 2nd 1885, both in East Barsham, Norfolk.
Thomas James, at the age of 20 was a labourer when he enlisted in the Army at North Waltham, January 27th 1903 and was assigned to the Norfolk Regiment as Private 6459, exact length of service unknown. He can then be found in 1911 living as a boarder with the family of Frederick and Susannah Cutting and their 3 children at 18, Garden Terrace, Craghead. Frederick Cutting and his wife originated from Norfolk but had lived in Craghead for about 9 years, both men worked at the colliery as hewers. Later that same year Thomas James Curtis married Hannah Todd in Craghead, district of Lanchester, 1912 their son John W. G. Curtis was born.
At the outbreak of war in 1914 Thomas James was recalled to the colours and retained his previous rank and number. The 1st Battalion Norfolk Regiment was attached to the 15th Brigade, 5th Division, which landed at Le Havre, August 1914, where it took part in The Battle of Mons, August 23rd, the first major action of the British Expeditionary Force in WW1. At Mons the British attempted to hold the line of Mons-Conde’ against the advancing German 1st Army. Despite fighting bravely, they were forced to retreat in the following two weeks. Later that year, just after the concluding days of the Battle of Bassee, Private 6459 Thomas James Curtis Norfolk Regiment was killed in action November 4th 1914. Thomas James has no known grave, his sacrifice is recorded on panel 8 of Le Touret Memorial, Pas de Calais, France, which commemorates 13,405 British soldiers who were killed in the sector from the beginning of October 1914 to the eve of the Battle of Loos, late September 1915. He was 32 years old.
His wife Hannah was informed of his death December 2nd 1914. As his widow she received all monies due to him, a pension for herself and their son along with his awards of the 1914 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Thomas James Curtis (Curtiss) is remembered at Craghead on C120.01 and C120.04
