Thomas Willis Nicholson
Menin Gate Memorial
Ian Murray has submitted the following:-
William Nicholson and Emily Willis were both born into farming families in the Lanchester area; William at East Broomshields Farm near Satley and Emily at West Butsfield, about three miles away. They married in 1871 and by 1893 had had eight children, one of whom was Thomas Willis, born 2nd July 1887 and baptised two months later on 4th September 1887 at Lanchester Parish Church. By this time, William was an Auctioneer and the family lived in Satley.
By 1901, Emily was widowed and the family were living at 1, Biggen Terrace which is a small group of houses between Esh and Square House near Lanchester. Thomas was 13 and an apprentice mason. By 1911, Thomas had lost both parents, Emily having died in 1902 aged 48, so Thomas was living with his brother John Henry Nicholson at The Deanery, Lanchester. Like his father William, John Henry was an auctioneer and Thomas was a mason (bricklayer).
Thomas enlisted in Gateshead and served in the Royal Fusiliers.
He died on 19th June 1917. He has no known grave and is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres.
A memorial service for Thomas was held on July 16th 1917 in Lanchester Parish Church.
Awards: British War Medal; Victory Medal.
Thomas Willis Nicholson is remembered at Lanchester on L62.01 L62.02 and L62.04
