Photo: Pauline Priano
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Thomas Hunter was the youngest of 4 surviving children, (4 deceased 2 of whom gender unknown), the offspring of William Hunter and Elizabeth Brown both of South Shields born 1860-1861, they were married at South Shields, County Durham, in 1882. Their daughter Susannah was born that same year followed by Samuel in 1884, William 1887, Margaret in 1890 who sadly died within 6 months and Thomas 1891, who was born whilst they were living in 3 rooms at 180, Palmerston Street. William Snr supported his family employed as a dock labourer. Their youngest daughter Elizabeth born 1893 died aged 1 year in 1894.
The family remained at the same address and William continued his work as a coal trimmer at the docks, by 1901 he had been joined by Samuel (17) and William Jnr (14) as dock labourers. Unfortunately, Elizabeth Hunter nee Brown died during the 4th quarter (Oct/Nov/Dec) 1910 aged 49 years. By 1911 Thomas (20) was the only son living at home, both he and his father were employed by the N. E Railway Company as a prop labourer and a trimmer respectively. Susannah who had married James Stewart in 1901, now widowed with 2 young children, John (5) and Robert (7-months) was living with them as their housekeeper.
After the declaration of war in August 1914 Thomas took the oath, December 11th 1915 and initially posted to ‘B’ Reserve, surplus to requirements at the time but to be called upon when necessary. March 1st 1916 he was attested at West Hartlepool, mobilised and posted as Private 22/993 to the 22nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry a Pioneer battalion trained to dig as well as to fight when required as infantry. Taken over by the War Office, March 9th 1916, the 22nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry moved to Scrotten Park, Catterick, for intensive training and departed to France, June 15th 1916 in the run up to the Battles of the Somme arriving the following day.
The opening attack due to commence June 29th 1916 was delayed by bad weather until July 1st. Having joined the 8th Division the Pioneers were put to work July 2nd carrying supplies to the men in the front line. Near La Boisselle they sustained their first casualties, losing 5 men and in late October 1916 lost a further 30 men whilst digging communication trenches and ferrying the wounded back through the lines.
Prior to this, July 22nd 1916, Private Thomas Hunter, along with more experienced men in digging, had been sent on loan to the 180th Tunnelling Company of the Royal Engineers which by June 1917 was hard at work on the Ypres salient in Belgium in preparation for the Third Battle of Ypres which commenced July 1st 1917. Tunnelling had ceased in the Ypres sector by spring 1917, as tactics changed the men of the Royal Engineers were deployed digging and maintaining trenches and lines of communication also creating underground, ‘subways” for troops to shelter in and reach the front lines.
Private Thomas Hunter at the time of his demise had returned to the 22nd Battalion, he died of wounds sustained in the line of duty, June 20th 1917, and was interred at Menin Road North Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium.
Having made a will prior to his departure from England, June 15th 1916, all monies owed to him by the Army, his awards of the British War Medal, Victory Medal and the whole of his property and effects were assigned to his father Mr. William Hunter of 180, Palmerston Street, South Shields, County Durham.
His father received a letter dated September 16th 1919 which reads as follows, “Sir, I beg to inform you that it has been necessary to exhume the remains of the late No. 22/993 Private T. Hunter 22nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry, for proper Burial at Menin Road South Military Cemetery, just East of Ypres. The new grave has been duly marked with a cross bearing all the late soldier’s particulars. The removal was undertaken with every measure of care, and the re-interment conducted by an Army Chaplain. I am Sir, Your Obedient Servant.” The exhumation had taken place July 29th 1918, Private 22/993 Thomas Hunter is at rest within Menin Gate South Military Cemetery, grave II. O. 24, at the time of his demise in 1917 he was 27 years and 2 months of age.
Although both his elder brothers were eligible to serve during WW1 only the service details of his brother Samuel Hunter have been found, he also served with the Durham Light Infantry and survived the conflict.
William Hunter Snr died in the district of South Shields, County Durham, in 1933, aged 72 years.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Terry Whenham has added a detailed account of the military career of Thomas Hunter, which is attached below.
Thomas Hunter is remembered at South Shields on S86.039, and in the The DLI Book of Remembrance page 157
