Photo: Maureen Havers
Beneath a foreign sky In a hero's grave he lies
William Kirby and Brenda McMahon have submitted the following:-
Thomas was born at Eighton Banks on 6 July 1898 and later baptised on 4 August the same year. His father was Robert who married Catherine (known as Kate) at Chester-le-Street in 1891. The couple had 9 children together but 1 died.
The 1901 census shows the family living at living at Robsons Terrace Lamesley where his father earned his living as a coal miner/hewer. The children at that time were Matthew, Euphemia, Annie, Thomas and William.
By 1911 father had been promoted to deputy overman. Matthew was now a miner/stable lad below ground.
More children had arrived by this census - Edith, Mary Jane, Robert and Elsie Jefferson (granddaughter). She had just been born and was under 1 month old. Her mother was Euphemia who was now married to Henry Jefferson.
Thomas enlisted at Springwell (date not known) and served as number 78497 with the Northumberland Fusiliers. At some point he was posted to fight in Italy.
About 26 October 1918 Thomas suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen. He was transferred from the Advance Operating Centre (1/1st South Midlands Field Ambulance) but with only 2 days treatment he died on 28 October 1918 only a few weeks before the Armistice was declared. As it happens the war in Italy ended on 4 November 1918 at Porcia.
He was awarded the Victory Medal and British War Medal
Thomas Sanderson is remembered at Springwell on S132.02 at Usworth on U9.01 at Eighton Banks E50.04 and at Birtley on B50.04
