Peter Wise and Brenda McMahon have submitted the following:-
Thomas, the son of Thomas and Janet Elizabeth (nee Little), was born at Startforth in 1897. The couple went on to have 11 children but sadly 4 died.
The 1901 census shows Thomas and his wife and 3 children visiting the home of R.W. Smith who lived at Darlington.
By 1911 Father Thomas was employed by Barnard Castle Gas works as a general labourer. His living children were Emily (spinner at flax works), Thomas (jnr), John, Arthur, Ethel, Leslie and Ruth. The entire family of 11 were living in 2 rooms at Thorngate, Durham. Young Thomas aged 14 is entered as being unemployed at this time.
Thomas enlisted into the 1st Battalion Kings Own Scottish Borderers.
He is included on the “List of former scholars of Barnard Castle National Boys’ School now serving in His Majesty’s Forces. His number quoted on the admission register is 1919.
Thomas was reported missing after the “Big Advance” on the July 1st 1916 on the Somme. Four months later after no further news it was announced that he was presumed to have been killed.
His mother added the following inscription to his headstone:- Far from his mother who loved him dear, In a hero’s grave he lies, R.I.P.
Thomas Mulgrew his father was killed in action in 1915 and his brother John Willie died in 1918 and is buried with a CWGC headstone at Elswick, Newcastle.
Thomas Mulgrew is remembered at Barnard Castle on B135.02, B135.23 and B135.25, at Benwell on B86.02 and B86.19b
