Thomas's Story.
Birkenhead News 17 February 1917
Upton Lad Falls
A Strange Coincidence
Mr. and Mrs. Byrom of the Red House, Upton, have received official intimation from the War Office of the death of their son, Private Tom Byrom, who was accidently killed in Mesopotamia. Private Byrom was in the Cheshire Regiment, and was his parent’ sixth son. Five of their sons are on active service. He was only 23 years of age, and his quiet and exemplary character mad him a general favourite. Prior to the war he was employed with his father, who is a farmer, contractor, and carrier, of Upton. As a boy Private Tom Byrom was a member of the Upton Parish Church Choir. A strange incident occurred prior to Pte. Byrom’s death. The children of various schools are subscribing to a fund the object of which is to buy parcels for the soldiers and sailors, known as the “Overseas Sailors and Soldiers’ parcels.” These parcels are sent to any soldiers, and a curious circumstance is that Pte. Byrom received one from his own school, namely, the Church School, Upton, and his schoolmaster received a letter to that effect. We sympathise with the parents in their sad loss.