Thomas's Story.
EARLY LIFE
Thomas Green was born on 7th June 1896 and baptised on 30th March 1897 at St Alban's Catholic Church, Macclesfield, the son of Margaret and Michael Thomas Green, a bricklayers labourer of 10 West Street, Macclesfield. By 1911, 14 year old Thomas was working as an errand boy for a restaurant and living at 44 Copper Street with his parents, and siblings John (17), Kathleen (12), Margaret (9), Henry (6) and Else (3).
The family later moved to 1 Sunderland Street, Macclesfield, and Thomas found employment as a dyer at Mr. Bullock's Dyeworks in Chester Road.
WW1 SERVICE
Thomas attested in Macclesfield and was drafted with the British Expeditionary Force to France on 14th February 1915, landing at Le Havre. His battalion joined the 14th Brigade in the 5th Division and participated in the 2nd Battle of Ypres and the Battle of Hill 60.
Thomas was killed in action on 11th July 1915, aged 19 years. The Macclesfield Courier reported his death on 24th July 1915:
We regret to report the death of Private Thomas Green, who was one of the Macclesfield lads belonging to the 1/7th Batt. Cheshire regiment (T.F.) to be transferred to the 5th Battalion for transportation to the front. He was the son of Mr and Mrs M. T. Green, of 1 Sunderland Street, and was 19 years of age. Prior to his enlistment he was employed as a dyer at Mr. Bullock's Dyeworks, Chester Road. He enlisted in March last year, and was drafted first to Shrewsbury with the battalion which left soon after the outbreak of hostilities. He was drafted to the front in February, and has since been in the trenches. He was shot by a sniper through the heart.
COMMEMORATION
Private Thomas Green is buried in grave ref. I. H. 12. in Spoilbank Cemetery in Belgium. His mother asked for the inscription ON HIS SOUL, SWEET JESUS HAVE MERCY R.I.P. to be engraved on his headstone. At the time of writing (December 2025) Private Thomas Green is recorded on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website with the incorrect service number of 7821; it should be 1821. An update request has been made to the CWGC.
In Macclesfield, Thomas Green is commemorated on the Park Green, Town Hall, St Michael's Church and St Alban's Church war memorials.
Research by Rosie Rowley, Congleton.
In Macclesfield, Thomas Green is commemorated on the Park Green, Town Hall, St Michael's Church and St Alban's Church war memorials.
Research by Rosie Rowley, Congleton.