Peter Wise and Brenda McMahon have submitted the following:-
Tom, the son of John Thomas and Sarah Jane (nee Dobson) was born at Barnard Castle in 1887. He was baptised at the Parochial Chapelry Barnard Castle on November 25th 1887.
His parents having married in 1887 had 10 children together but 1 died. The siblings were Lionel, Charley and Thomas (probably twins), Mary, Robert, Lissy, Lilian, Margaret Elizabeth, Greta and Albert ie 5 sons and 5 daughters.
The 1891 census shows father John working as a platelayer for the railway. The family are living at Wood Street Barnard Castle at that time.
At the next census in 1901 and now at Oak Tree Yard, Bridgegate their father is now an innkeeper. Children Robert, Lissy and Lilian have arrived.
In 1911 life has changed again. Some of the family have moved on whilst others are working at various employments. Father John is now a labourer at a garden, Lionel is a shop assistant, Tom is a joiner, Charley a platelayer with NER Railway, Margaret Elizabeth is a domestic day girl. The other children are at school. Their home is now 17 Thorngate Barnard Castle.
Towards the end of 1911 Tom married Sarah Lizzie Patterson. The marriage took place on November 23rd 1911 at Barnard Castle. Two sons arrived before too long, Albert born in 1912 then Tom born in 1913.
Tom enlisted at York and by November 30th 1915 he was sent to France where he was killed in action only 4 months later, 15th March 1916.
He was awarded the 1915 Star, British Empire Medal and Victory Medal.
Two of his brothers also fought in WW1. They were Charlie who served as number 12126 in the Labour Corps and also oldest brother Lionel who served as M2/102830 in the Army Service Corps.
Thomas Chatt is remembered at Barnard Castle on B135.02, B135.23 and B135.25
The NER memorial gives incorrect details of his sphere of service.
