Brenda McMahon has submitted the following:-
Thomas the son of Henry Percival and Mary (nee Armstrong) was born at West Cornforth in 1897. The couple who married in 1889 had eight children but sadly two died.
In 1901 Father Henry was a coal miner/hewer by trade. He lived with his family at Railway Terrace Cornforth. The children included Sarah Ann, Eliza, Lilian. Also living with the family were Henry’s brother and sister, namely Eli (a driver at the pit) and Emily. A few doors down the street lived Joseph Rossiter, another brother, with his family.
By 1911 Mary Elizabeth and Joseph had increased the family numbers. Their home was at Foster’s Buildings, Balaclava Street West Cornforth.
Thomas joined the army at Ferryhill and joined the Durham Light Infantry. He was killed in action on September 15th 1916 at the battle of Flers-Courcelette during the attack on Martinpuich.
His father was the sole legatee to monies due to Thomas which amounted to £1.8.4d. Later a war gratuity of £4.0.0d was allocated.
Tom’s uncle Eli Rossiter also died in WW1.
Medals; British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Thomas Rossiter is remembered at Cornforth on C115.01 and C115.03, at Stockton on S138.35 and at Tursdale on T62.02
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 245
