Pauliane Priano has submitted the following:-
Thomas Elwell was born in Wallbottle in 1885, the eldest son of William Thomas Elwell (1861 Mount Pleasant - 1918 Easington) and Elizabeth Jane Stephenson (1865 Monkwearmouth - 1930 Easington). They married in Houghton-le-Spring October 1885 and had seven children in all, five boys and two girls. In 1901 they were living at 95, Durham Road, Tudhoe, in the house next door to my great grandfather and his family, who ran a butchers shop from his home at number 97. Thomas William was at that time a general labourer at the local ironworks. Thomas William’s family later moved to 24, Prospect Terrace, Ferry Hill. Thomas (jnr) married in 1907 Emily Ann King from Skelton, Yorkshire (1886) they in 1911 were living at 21 South View, Windlestone Colliery, with two young children. He worked at Windlestone Colliery as a hewer.
His military record unfortunately no longer exists. Thomas Elwell, enlisted in The Yorkshire Hussars (Alexandra Princess of Wales Own), part of the 15th Brigade, 17th Division and was killed in action November 6th 1915. Private 16220 Thomas Elwell is buried in Brandhoek Military Cemetery, West Vlaanderen, Belgium, grave I H 22. At the request of his mother the following words were added to his gravestone, “ O God give me, the hero’s mother, strength to say, Thy will be done.” The family paid 14/7d (fourteen shillings and seven pence) for this.
Thomas left his widow Emily Ann and three children. The census in 1911 mentions two girls, Elizabeth Jane born 1909 and Frances Mary born 1910, however, army registers mention another by the name of Margaret and names Emily Ann as her guardian. His wife was awarded a pension for herself and these children.
Thomas Elwell is remembered on the Chilton Triptych, St Aidan and in Pease and Partners Book, but his name is spelt incorrectly, Ellwell, all other documents and references I have found have proven this.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Thomas Elwell is remembered at Chilton on C107.04, C107.09, C107.12 and C107.14 (Darlington D40.039)
