Photo: Margaret Allison

In Ashington Holy Sepulchre Churchyard is a family headstone which reads:

In loving memory
of
Hugh, beloved husband of
Christina Earl,
who departed this life
on February 7th 1927,
aged 60 years.
Also the above
Christina Earl
died 17th March 1953
aged 80 years.
Also their sons
Thomas William,
who fell in action,
August 21st 1918,
Aged 23 years.
and Hugh Edward,
died Sept. 3rd 1909,
aged 10 weeks.

Colin Boyd has provided the following:
Thomas was born April 22nd 1895 and was working as an electrician, living with his parents, Hugh and Christina at 8, Fifth Row, Ashington when he enlisted in the Royal Naval Division January 8th 1915. He joined the Howe Battalion on July 18th 1915 and served until October 3rd 1916 when he was hospitalised with an ankle injury.

After rejoining the Howe Battalion on November 26th 1916 he was hospitalised again on February 17th 1917 suffering from gun shot wounds to the right side and face. Thomas rejoined the Battalion again on March 23rd 1917 and was invalided to the UK onMay 3rd 1917 suffering from a shrapnel wound to the left thigh.

He joined the Drake Battalion May 21st 1918 and was posted as missing assumed killed in action in France on August 21st 1918.

Thomas William Earl is remembered at Ashington on A17.01 (A17.27), A17.06, A17.08 and A17.43

Drake Battalion Roll of Honour

The CWGC entry for Able Seaman Earl