In Dantzig Alley British Cemetery, Mametz, France is the Commonwealth War Grave of 12884 Serjeant Thomas Septimus Silverton, M.M., serving with the 9th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers who died 03/08/1916.

Derek Johnstone and Carole Fife have provided the following:

Thomas Septimus Silverton was born in Chester le Street, County Durham about 1881. His parents were John Silverton, a coal miner from Southwold, Suffolk and Mary Jane Silverton (nee Sharp) born at Seaton Sluice in Northumberland.

The 1891 Census shows Thomas living at 37, Boca Chica, Cambois, Northumberland, living with his parents and brothers James 23, Joseph 20, John William 18, Robert 16, William 14, George 12, Frederick 7 and Charles 2. All his brothers who were old enough were working in the coal mines.

The attached photo shows the family as follows: Back row: John, Fred, George, Thomas, Charles, Edward. Front row: James, William, John, Joe, Robert.

In 1901, Thomas was 19 and his family were still living at Boca Chica, where Robert was working in the coal mines as a hewer.

In 1906 Thomas married Mary Britton at St Peter’s Church, Cambois and by 1911 they had three children: William, John and Mary.

Military records show Thomas, who was awarded a Military Medal, enlisted at Blyth, Northumberland and on his death his effects went to his widow Mary.

In 1922, Thomas’ wife married Charles E. Mullen and in 1927 the family went to Australia where Mary died in 1957 at the age of 76 in Sidney.

Thomas Septimus Silverton is remembered in Cambois on C6.02 and C6.04

In Gateshead on G39.030 is C.S. Silverton serving with the Cambois Branch of the St. John Ambulance Brigade. Is this brother Charles?