On the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing, Somme, France, is the name of 25/290 Corporal Thomas Hilton, M.M., serving with the 25th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers who died 01/07/1916.
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Thomas Hilton was born at Bill Quay, near Gateshead, historically in County Durham in 1886, one of 9 known children, 4 sons and 5 daughters. His father Thomas Hilton Snr was a coal miner born 1853 at Lambornhead Green, Lancashire and married December 25th 1875 in the district of Whickham, near Gateshead, Margaret Greenwell of Rainton, North Yorkshire born 1856. They were living at Hebburn until moving to 34, Waggonway Street, Heworth by 1891 when Thomas was 5 years of age. He was not included in the census of 1901 as living with his family, presumably he was living with relatives and does not reappear until the record of his marriage to Isabella Nicholson, September 15th 1906 at St Mary’s Church, Heworth.
Enlisted at Newcastle upon Tyne, he was assigned as Private 25/290 (Tyneside Irish) Northumberland Fusiliers formed November 9th 1914. The battalion came under the orders of the 103rd Brigade, 34th Division at Ripon and after further training moved to Salisbury Plain in late August for final training. They proceeded to France as part of the British Expeditionary Force, January 1916 where they concentrated at La Crosse, east of St Omer. Preparations were underway for the forthcoming battles on the Somme and they saw action on the first day during the Battle of Albert involving the capture of Montauban, Mametz, Fricourt, Contalmaison and La Boisselle between July 1st-14th 1916.
Although his military record no longer exists, destroyed during the blitz of WW2, he did rise through the ranks to Corporal and received the Military Medal for bravery on land in date unknown but after its introduction, between March 25th 1916 and his demise.
Corporal 25/290 Thomas Hilton M.M. was killed in action July 1st 1916. His sacrifice is recorded as one of over 72,000 names inscribed on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing, Somme, France commemorating servicemen from the British Empire killed on the Somme between 1915 and 1918 who have no known grave. He was 30 years old.
His widow Isabella received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the Military Medal, British War Medal and Victory Medal. They do not appear to have had any children.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Thomas Hilton is remembered at Heworth on H92.03
