Photo : Smiths Dock 1922
Colin Boyd has provided the following:
Thomas was born on the 27th March 1892. He was working as an apprentice Boiler Maker at Smiths Dock, residing with his parents, August and Eleanor at 31, Cardonnel Street, North Shields when he enlisted 16th November 1914 in the Royal Naval Division.
He joined the 4th Platoon, 'D' Company of the Collingwood Battalion on the 4th March 1915 and was posted as missing assumed killed in action in Gallipoli on the 4th June 1915.
Shields Daily News dated 9th July 1915. Missing. Mrs Svensson, of 31 Cardonnel Street, North Shields, has received word from the Admiralty that her son, Thomas Hedley Svennson (Collingwood Battalion), is reported as missing, supposed in action on or about the 4th June. He was an apprentice at Smiths Dock.
Shields Daily News08/07/1916
News of local men. Killed and Wounded in Action. T. SVENSSON Klled in action. Word has been received by his parents, Mr & Mrs Svensson, 31 Cardonnel Street, North Shields, that their only son, Tom, aged 20, serving in the Collingwood Battalion, R.N.D. at Gallipoli, and posted as missing June 4th, 1915, was killed in action on that fatal day. Previous to joining, he was employed as apprentice boilermaker by Smith's Docks, Ltd., where he was well respected by masters and men alike.
Shields Daily News 08/07/1916
Deaths: SVENSSON.- Missing since June 4th, 1915, now reported killed in action, Thomas Hedley, aged 20, Collingwood Batt., R.N.D., dearly loved and only son of August and Nellie Svennson, 31 Cardonnel Street, North Shields. Ever remembered and deeply mourned by his father, mother, sister and brother-in-law. He nobly served, he nobly died.
Shields Daily News 08/07/1916
Deaths: Svensson. Killed in action, June 4th, 1915, Tom ever remembered by his loving cousins Eddie and Grace Matthews, 14 Stanley Street, North Shields. We dearly loved him as did our dearly departed mother.
Shields Daily News 11/07/1916:
News of local men. Killed and Wounded in Action. (With photo). TOM SVENSSON R.N.D. Tom Svensson, Collingwood Battalion, R.N.D., killed in Gallipoli on June 4th, 1915. He resided at 31 Cardonnel Street, North Shields.
Thomas Hedley Svensson is remembered at North Shields in N34.30 page 8, as Svenson, N34.33, N34.61 and in Tynemouth on T36.14 page 26, and Harton on H104.01 and in South Shields S86.004 page 8, again as Svenson.
