Tom Nettleship
Panel 16 to 18 Pozieres Memorial
Newcastle Journal Friday 05/04/1918
Alnwick Mercury Saturday 04/05/1912
Newcastle Journal Thursday 04/05/1918
Thomas Nettleship was born on the 4th August 1885, the eldest son, of four children at 5 Lower Howick Street, Alnwick, Northumberland, to the late Charles Nettleship, [born 1856], Joiner and Fishing Rod maker, and Elizabeth, [born 1859], daughter of M. Wilson.
Elizabeth Jane [born 1889], Charles [born March 1891], Mark, [born 1893] and Louise Mary [born 1896] all at Alnwick.
Thomas was educated at the Dukes's School at Alnwick, when his father died he carried on his father's business which was based at Bondgate, Alnwick. Joinery and Fishing Rod maker, he was apprenticed to his father's business before his father passed away.
He joined the Northumberland Hussars Imperial Yeomanry in May 1902, and on the outbreak of the war, he volunteered for active service with the 3rd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, with the service number 3/8985.
Thomas along with his brother Mark, joined the Alnwick Rifle Club which had only recently been formed, his father Charles had provided a prize for one of the rifle competitions.
Alnwick County Gazette Saturday, 05/10/1912 reports
At the range used by the 3rd Northumberland Fusiliers when assembled for their annual training at the Moor Laws, the Alnwick Detachment held their first annual rifle competition on Monday. Rain fell in heavy showers during the whole of the competition, and the shooting consequently took place under very disadvantageous circumstances. Captain F. Stilwell, commanding officer, was in change of the range, and the registers were kept by Veteran T. Nettleship, hon secretary, and Veteran J. Evans. It had been arranged that the distances to be fired at were 200 and 500 yds, seven rounds at each, but owing to mist obscuring the target at the longer range, the competition had to be decided at the 200 yds distance. The prizes, both in money and kind-including a handsome silver challenge trophy presented by Councillor Ralph Henderson-were generously subscribed by gentlemen and trades folk of the town.
Morpeth Herald Friday, 03/10/1913, reports:
Shoot at Alnwick
At the Alnwick range on Saturday, a rifle match took place between Amble and Alnwick Civilian Rifle Clubs. Alnwick is only a newly-formed club, but they showed that they were proficient in rifle shooting, and only lost by 11 points. Scores :- Amble. - A.E. Green, 63: H. Lyall, 62: A.Barnes, 61: I. King, 58: J.Wilson, 59: E. Coulson, 59: T.M. Young, 55: W.Marshall, 58: Total, 474.
Alnwick. - Col, Sergt, S. Thompson, 59: In-Sergt. W Shott, 61: Pte, Patterson, 56: Vet. W. Jobson, 56: Sergt, Nettleship, 59: Sergt. M. F. Robinson, 58: Vet. J. Good fellow, 58: Drummer J. Adamson, 56: Total 463."
Thomas was also honorary Secretary of the Rifle Club which was based at Alnwick Moor, which is where 'D' Company (Alnwick) 1/7th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers held their annual prize shooting competition.
Thomas was attached to the 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers.
He was sent to France on the 16th January 1915. He was wounded at Ypres in June and was invalided home.
On his recovery he was sent to the 1/8th (Service) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers and as such was sent as reinforcement's for Gallipoli in August 1915. After the evacuation of Gallipoli in January 1916, he was sent to Egypt and subsequently returned to the Western Front.
He reached the rank of Sergeant and was given a commission and was gazetted as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 1/5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers on the 30th October 1917.
Thomas was killed in action on the 22nd March at St Christ, on the Somme, during the German offensive. He was buried where he fell.
The 1/7th Battalion War Diary reads as follows:- 22nd March, 1 am. Detrained at BRIE Marched to West of GOOLAINCOURT where Bt rested in huts (10 miles). (Orders received at 12.45pm for two comp[anise] 'C' & 'D' to report to front line Battalion to dig GREEN LINE. 3 pm Enemy attack break GREEN LINE, 'B' counter attack and hold enemy on ridge. 23rd March 2am 'B' ordered to withdraw and dig in on line 200/300 East of MONCHY-LAGAGHE. Casualties 23-3-18 Killed 2lt T. Nettleship 1 O.R wounded 20 O.R. Missing 17 O.R.
His commanding officer wrote:- Although he was only in my Company a few days he had proved himself an exceedingly brave and cool officer, as well as an efficient one. His loss is deeply felt. He was unmarried.
De Ruvigny Roll of Honour
Thomas Nettleship is remembered at Alnwick on A11.01 A11.03, in A11.09, page 17, [with his brother], A11.16, A11.21, A11.64 also at Walker in W2.21.
His younger brother Mark is also remembered at Alnwick A11.01 A11.03, in A11.09, page 17, A11.16, A11.23 and A11.64, also their sister Elizabeth Jane who was with the V.A D. had enlisted in January 1911, is also remembered in page 33.
