Heslop’s Local Advertiser
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Edward Thomas Jnr was born at Browney Colliery, County Durham the only surviving son of Edward Thomas born 1846 and his wife Jane Hughes born 1852, both natives of Bagillt, Flintshire, Wales. They were married in the district of Bishop Auckland, County Durham in 1868 and went on to have 6 children, Margaret 1874, Helen 1877, John William 1878, Dorothy 1880, Dorothy Jane 1883 and finally Edward in 1890. John William, Dorothy and Dorothy Jane all died in infancy.
Edward Thomas Snr whilst they were living at 38, Front Street, Brandon, County Durham was employed as a miner, to subsidise the family income they had taken in a lodger, 31-year-old Welsh coal miner Daniel Parry. By 1891 they had moved to 19, Front Street, Edward Snr was now a deputy overman, his eldest daughter Margaret (17) was a dressmaker, sister Ellen (14) at home and Edward was only 4 months old. Having moved to 36, Booth Street, Felling, near Gateshead, in 1901 his father was employed below ground as a stone-man, Margaret had left home, Ellen (24) was now a school teacher, Edward a scholar. Aged 20 years Edward Jnr in 1911 had not followed in his father’s footsteps working at the colliery but was employed as an estate agent’s clerk.
On the outbreak of war he was living at The Bungalows, Heworth and enlisted in 1914, assigned as Driver 1865 to B Battery, 315th Brigade Royal Field Artillery, which once mobilised was attached to the 63rd (2nd Northumbrian) Division. Although his military record no longer exists, one of the 70% destroyed during the blitz of WW2, given the date of his enlistment and unit he most probably joined the 63rd Division upon its evacuation from Gallipoli, December 1915 once his training was complete. The Division having returned to England did not reform until May 1916 when it landed at Marseille, France now known as the 63rd Royal Naval Division. November 13th-18th 1916 they participated during the final phase of the Battle of the Somme supported by the 315th Battery R.F.A.
Driver 1865 Edward Thomas Royal Field Artillery died November 14th 1916 most probably of wounds and initially buried at Mesnil Dressing Station Cemetery just west of the village, used by the 63rd Division from June 1916 to February 1917 and again from March to July 1918. After Armistice the 141 burials were brought into the Mesnil Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme France. Driver Edward Thomas is at rest grave II. E. 2, he was 26 years old and single at the time of his demise in 1916.
His mother living at 8, Stowell Terrace, Heworth received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal. She commissioned at a cost of 11 shillings 11 pence an additional inscription to be added to his military headstone, it reads, “Thy Will Is Just-To Thee We Leave Them Lord In Trust.”
Within 6 months of the loss of Edward Jnr his father Edward Thomas Snr died at Gateshead aged 72 years, details regarding the demise of Jane Thomas nee Hughes unknown.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Heslop’s Local Advertiser 22/12/1916 carries a notice which reads:
“Driver Ted Thomas, R.F.A., killed in action on Nov. 14th. Only son of Edward and Jane Thomas, 9 Ridley Terrace, Heworth.”
Edward Thomas is remembered at Heworth on H92.03 and at Felling on F32.01
