Thomas Alfred White

Thomas Alfred was the son of Thomas and Sarah White (née Moulds). His father Thomas was born in Stonesby, Leicestershire, in 1863 and his mother Sarah in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, in 1866. They were married at Harby St Mary in November 1886 and had four children: Alice Ann b. 1887, John b. 1889 and Thomas Alfred b. 1892 who were born in Harby and Annie Maria b. Granby 1899. In 1891 Thomas, an ironstone labourer, and Sarah were living on Rutland Road, Stathern Row, Harby, with their two children Alice (4) and John (1). By 1901 they had moved to Granby, Nottinghamshire, where Thomas was a foreman at a limestone quarry. In the home on the night of the census were their four children Alice, John, Thomas (9) and Annie (1). Thomas, now employed as a wagoner, and Sarah were living in Tithby, Nottinghamshire, in 1911. Only their two youngest children, Thomas, a farm labourer, and Annie (11 b. Granby), were still living at home. Also in the household was Sarah's nephew, Thomas Alfred Kemp (12), the son of her sister, Betsy Kemp, and her husband William who lived in Harby, Leicestershire. Thomas Kemp may have continued to live with his aunt and uncle as when he attested in 1917 he was living in Tithby and working as a farm labourer, although his parents were still in Harby. Thomas Kemp was also killed in the war (see 'Extra information). Thomas Alfred White married Clara Kitchen in 1914 and they had two daughters, Jessie b. 1914 and Olive b. 1916 who died the same year. The WW1 Pension Ledgers Index Card recorded Clara (b. 1895) and her surviving daughter Jessie living in Bottesford, Leicestershire. Clara's brother, Sergeant James Lewis Kitchen, Yorkshire Regiment, was killed on 2 November 1914. (See record on this Roll of Honour) Clara married secondly Walter Welch in 1921 (reg. Bingham) and in 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled they were living in Barkstone in the Vale, near Redmile, Leicestershire. Walter (b. 1882) was an ironstone labourer and he and Clara had three children Winifred, John Thomas and Amy. Clara died later that year aged about 44 (death reg. O/N/D Melton Mowbray). Thomas's parents were still living in Tithby in 1939. Thomas may have died later that year and Sarah in 1940.

He was a farm labourer.

Enlisted Nottingham

1/7th (Robin Hood) Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment). The 7th Notts & Derbys replaced the Robin Hood Rifles on the formation of the Territorial Force in April 1908. It was then formed into three battalions (1/7th, 2/7th, 3/7th) at the start of the First World War. The 1/7th Bn served in France from February 1915 as part of 46th Division. On 1 July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme, the battalion took part in the diversionary attack at the Gommecourt Salient which resulted in heavy casualties. Thomas Alfred White died of wounds on 25 July 1916 and is buried in Mont Huon Military Cemetery, Le Treport, France (grave ref. II.D.13). CWGC - History of Mont Huon Military Cemetery (extract): Le Treport is a small seaport 25km from Dieppe. 'During the First World War, Le Treport was an important hospital centre and by July 1916, the town contained three general hospitals (the 3rd, 16th and 2nd Canadian), No.3 Convalescent Depot and Lady Murray's B.R.C.S. Hospital. The 7th Canadian, 47th and 16th USA General Hospitals arrived later, but all of the hospitals had closed by March 1919. As the original military cemetery at Le Treport filled, it became necessary to use the new site at Mont Huon.' (www.cwgc.org) 2128 WW1 burials.

Thomas's cousin, Thomas Alfred Kemp, the son of his maternal aunt Betsy (née Moulds) and her husband William Kemp, served in the 2nd Bn. Sherwood Foresters (97911 Private) and was killed in action on 23 March 1918. He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial. (See record on this Roll of Honour). WMR 83915: 'Barkestone le Vale War Memorial: Granite block with plaque attached, in commemoration of the six servicemen from Barkestone le Vale who lost their lives during WW1. Five trees have been planted in the surrounding land, located on Fishpond Lane. These five trees were planted in 2014 in remembrance of the men from Barkestone le Vale, who lost their lives during the First World War. May these trees flourish and grow for generations to come, to honour all those who served between 1914-1918.’ Dedication service March 1919. (www.leicestershirewarmemorials.co.uk). The names on the plaque include Thomas Alfred White and 8068 Sergeant James Lewis Kitchen, Yorkshire Regiment, killed 2 November 1914. James Kitchen was Thomas' brother-in-law. (See record on this Roll of Honour) Thomas Alfred White is also commemorated on the memorial in Barkestone le Vale SS Peter & Paul church, Leicestershire. Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 12 August 1916: ‘White. Died of wounds, July 25th, Private TA White, Sherwood Foresters, the dearly beloved son of Thomas and Sarah White, of Tithby, aged 24. He died a noble death. From his loving father, mother, brothers, and sisters.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) CWGC: 'Husband of Clara White. Native of Barkestone, Notts.' CWGC: served 7th Bn Sherwood Foresters, other military records cite 1/7th (Robin Hood) Bn Sherwood Foresters. WW1 Pension Ledgers Index Cards: named his widow Clara (b. 1895) and daughter Jessie (b. 1914), residence Bottesford.