23245, Private, Thomas Richard FIELD
Aged 19
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Born in Newmarket in Q1-1896 [Newmarket 3b:495] to Joseph Henry and Emma FIELD (née WOODLAND) of Grosvenor Yard, Newmarket. His
father appears to be Henry on the marriage register.
1901 census...Thomas [5] was at Granby Street,Newmarket with his father Joseph [34], bricklayer, born Stevenage; his mother Emma[30] born Newmarket and sisters Annie [10] and Katie [8] both born Newmarket. 1911 census...His sister Kate Edith FIELD was at Icewell Hill with her son Frederick James [3] and grandmother Elizabeth WOODLAND [73] widow. His mother appears to have died in Newmarket in 1908 and his father in 1910, but Thomas has not been found. His "Soldier's Personal Effects" entry give his legatees as Aunt Mrs. Rose GORE, sisters Winifred, Annie and Mrs Kate Edith DYKE and H/ Brother Albert. There is no pension card, presumably being single and orphaned, there was no dependant to submit a claim.
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1st Battalion, The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry were in Singapore when war broke out in August 1914. They returned to England, as soon as a Territorial
unit arrived to man the garrision, landing at Southampton on the 9th of November. They moved to Hursley Park moving to Harwich on the 18th November. On the
17th of December they returned to Hursley Park to joing 83rd Brigade, 28th Division. They proceeded to France from Southampton, landing at le Harve on the
16th of January, they concentrated in the area between Bailleul and Hazebrouck, being joined by additional Territorial units. In 1915 they were in action in
The Second Battle of Ypres and The Battle of Loos. Thomas appears to have been killed between major battles, the regiment losing 1 or 2 men daily on the Ypres Salient The Newmarket Journal of September 4th. 1915 reported :- KILLED IN ACTION - Mrs R.Gore , of 1 Ruse's yard, Newmarket has received the following communication from the Infantry Record Office, York, under date August 18th 1915:- "Madam, - It is my painful duty to inform you that a report has this day been received from the War Office notifying the death of No.23245 Pte. Thomas Field, 1st Battn.,King's Own Yorkshire Light iNfantry, which occurred in France on 17th August 1915, and I am to express to you the sympathy and regret of the Army Council at your loss:" -The deceased was killed in action. With the announcement was enclosed the following note from the Secretary for War:- "The King commands me to assure you of the true sympathy of hIs Majesty and the Queen in your sorrow - KITCHENER |
photo:- Rodney Gibson
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