Brenda McMahon has submitted the following:-
Thomas was born at Gateshead in 1877 to his parents Jonathan and Sarah. He had several siblings Annie, William, Robert then later Norman, Margaret and Janet.
His father was a master printer who was an employer of 7 men and 6 boys. He is later listed as a letter press printer and lithographer. At least 2 of his sons, William and Thomas, followed Jonathan into his trade. William as an apprentice and James as a general printer.
However in 1901 whilst Thomas was boarding with the Ainsley family at a house at 9 Osborne Terrace Gateshead he met a young daughter of the house, Jane Margaret (known as Jennie). They married in 1902 and went on to have a son Clifford Thomas who was born in 1903. Other children may have followed.
Thomas enlisted into the Army joining Royal Fusiliers (Service number 18/7157) but was later transferred to 9th Battalion King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry where he served as a stretcher bearer. His service number was 37894. He was killed in action on 6 December 1917.
The Newcastle Journal 15 December 1917 published the following:-
HOWE – killed in action- information received from Wesleyan chaplain by whom he was interred- aged 40 years Private Thomas James Howe, K.O.Y.L.I., stretcher bearer beloved husband of Jennie Howe, 32 Derwent Gardens, Gateshead and Mr and Mrs Jonathan Howe of Saltwell View Gateshead.
Thomas James Howe is remembered at Gateshead on G39.004 and at Gateshead Fell on G39.064