Heslop's Local Advertiser
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Thomas Emmerson known as Tom was born at Felling, Gateshead, County Durham in 1894. The CWGC have listed his parents as Thomas and Catherine Emmerson.
In 1901, aged 7 years Tom was living with his paternal grandparents Thomas George and Caroline Emmerson of 4, Dorothy Street, Heworth, his grandfather aged 59 years was employed as a hewer at the colliery. Living in the household were their children, Mary (22), Caroline (20), Rena (17) also visitors Edith Cowell and her children Ernest (4) and Mary (5 mths).
On the outbreak of war Tom was still living with his grandparents at Felling where he enlisted and was assigned to the 94th Field Coy Royal Engineers, he departed for the Western Front, July 20th 1915 joining the 94th Field Company attached to the 19th (Wester) Division part of Kitchener’s 2nd Army, upon their arrival they gathered at St. Omer. They followed the Division during 1915 at the Action of Pietre part of the Battle of Loos and moved to the Somme in 1916.
Having risen through the ranks the now 2nd Corporal 49503 Thomas Emmerson, Royal Engineers was killed in action June 23rd 1916 and interred at Albert Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France, grave I. G. 25. The extension was used by the fighting units and Field Ambulance from August 1915 to November 1916. He was 22 years old and single.
Tom had nominated his grandmother Caroline as his sole beneficiary, she received all monies due to him from the Army and all his effects, along with his awards of the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to her at 2, Back Wesley Terrace, Felling, Gateshead, County Durham, (as transcribed from original headstones schedule CWGC).
Thomas George Emmerson died aged 74 years in 1914, Caroline Emmerson aged 85 in 1926, both registered in the district of Gateshead.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
His death was reported in Heslop's Local Advertiser 21/07/1916:
Corporal Tom Emmerson, Royal Engineers, N.C.O., aged 22 years, of 22 Wesley Terrace, Felling, killed in action on June 24th."
He is remembered at Felling on F32.01
