No.2130140, Private, Thomas ROLFE
Aged 22
Depot Battalion (Manitoba), Canadian Infantry
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Thomas Rolfe was born on 27th August 1895 (Newmarket Q4-1895 3B:491), baptised at All Saint's Gazeley on 10th November 1895, son of William Oscar and
Mary ROLFE (née PEARSON).
His father, William Oscar ROLFE born in Ousden in 1853, a wheelwright, died in 1897. 1901 census...Aged 5, he was at The Street, Gazeley with his widowed mother Mary ROLFE [46] born Lidgate; brothers Joseph [21], Edgar [16] and William [13], all three were labourers and born in Dalham. Also there were his sisters Clara [11] and Dorothy [7] both born in Gazeley. There was an older daughter, Annie, born 1878 in Lidgate. 1911 census...Aged 15, he was a farm labourer living at Dalham Road, Moulton with his sister Annie and her husband Anthony STEBBINGS [34] a shepherd, born Gazeley and their four children. His mother apparently died in 1902. His sister Annie is given as his next of kin to the Canadian Army. |
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He was medically examined in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada on 22nd December 1917 and seemingly mobilised on May 10th 1918. He gave his exact date of birth, occupation-farm labourer, religion C of England. He weighed 153 lbs (69.6 kg), was 5 feet 11 inches (180.3 cm)tall, chest 36" to 40" (91.4 to 101.6 cm), brown eyed with dark brown hair. He gave his next of kin as his married sister, Mrs Annie STEBBINGS, Hyde Cottage, Risby, Bury St.Edmunds. He was residing in Regent, Manitoba. The 81st Draft, 1st Depot Battalion Manitoba Regiment left Montreal on 28th July 1918 aboard the H.M.T. 'Nellore'. On the afternoon of the 8th August Thomas reported sick and was admitted to the ship's hospital with measles. Within 24 hours bronchitis set in. Complications developed and at 8.30 pm on 12th August 1918 he died from Broncho- Pneumonia. A Court of Enquiry held on the 14th August confirmed his death was from natural causes. He was buried at sea. Further research shows that several men that were to make up that particular draft had been quarantined in Canada due to an outbreak of measles at their Canadian camps (at least 50 of them from Brandon, Manitoba. As he joined the Overseas Military Forces of Canada in Canada he was eligible for the British War Medal, but not having served in a theatre of war that was the only medal he was eligible for.
photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
