Thomas's Story.
Thomas was the 1st of 3 brothers to die in the Great War, his family history is the same as his older brother Josephs', William was the last to die, please click on the link to read it.
Thomas Lockley in the UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919 tells us that his birth place is St. Oswald’s, Chester and he enlisted in Chester. This also confirms his regimental details above.
Thomas Lockley in the UK, Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects, 1901-1929 tells us that the Sole Legatee was his mother Ellen who was paid £41 2s 1d on the 31st March 1916 and his War Gratuity of £8 10s on the 5th August 1919.
Thomas Lockley in the British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920 tells us that he was awarded the Victory & British War Medals and the 15 Star. It also tells us his first Theatre of War was France and he entered it on the 15th February 1915. There is no mention of the DCM on this card.
However on Ancestry.co.uk there is a document - T Lockley in the British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920:-
Name: T Lockley
Regiment or Corps: 1st/5 Battalion Cheshire R (Territorial Forces)
Regimental Number: 12663
Is this the DCM, if so, a clerical error was made in his Regimental Number. I believe it is.
I do not know yet how he won the DCM, but he was obviously a brave man and so young. His parents, Thomas and Ellen must have been so proud, but heartbroken. Sadly there was more grief to come a few years later.
Researched and compiled by Mavis Williams