THOMAS YOXALL 

St. Mary's “Roll of Honour” records 3 Yoxall lads; A. Yoxall, T. Yoxall and W. H. Yoxall. (The H. may be an error, as cheshirebmd records William Thomas and the 1911 census records William T.)

The “Fallen Memorial includes T. (Thomas) Yoxall, Pte., (Cheshirebmd records a Thomas Yoxall born in 1892, W/ham;) and a W. T. (William Thomas) Yoxall, Pte. (Cheshirebmd records a William Thomas born in 1896, W/ham;) The 1911 census confirms these lads are not brothers, Thomas;s parents are a James & Ellen Yoxall, they are living in Chapel Lane W/ham and William's parents are William and Mary Yoxall and are living on the High Street W/ham.  

Thomas’s service documents are available to view, he enlisted on the 5th Sept. 1914 at Northwich and lived with his Father and Mother, James and Ellen, on Church Lane, Weaverham. Thomas was single, he was 21yrs 2m when he enlisted, he stood 5ft 5ins tall, weight was 120lb with a girth of 34in. His development was recorded as good. Complexion fresh, eyes blue and hair black. Thomas was posted with the 10th Bn., Cheshire Reg’t. No 15131 on the 15th Sept. 1914 and joined the Exp. Force for France on the 26th Sept. 1915. Thomas was K.I.A. on the 20th May 1916 after 237days with the Exp. Force.

C.W.G.C. - remember Thomas at the LOOS MEMORIAL, France, he died on Saturday May 20th 1916, he was with the 10th Bn. Cheshire Regiment, No 13151. No family details recorded.

N.A.M.C. - record Thomas with the Cheshire Reg’t No 15131, awarded the three medals British, Victory and 15 Star having joined the Exp. Force on the 26th Sept. 1915 for France. The card also records his death, K.I.A. 20th May 1916.

Northwich Guardian article 1916, 2nd June, (P5/C4);   REFINED COMPANY’S EMPLOYER KILLED.   GAME TO THE END.

Another Weaverham soldier reported killed amongst the Cheshires is Private Thomas Yoxall who before he answered his country’s call on September 12th 1914, was in the employment of the Weaverham Refining Co. He was 23 years of age last October and he was killed on Sunday May 21st as stated in the following letter which his parents received on Sunday morning from an officer of his company. “Dear Mrs Yoxall, I am sorry to have to inform you that your son, Private Yoxall was killed on Sunday the 21st inst. Though not on the actual spot at the time, I believe he did not suffer at all, which perhaps may be some consolation to you. Your son was in my platoon and I have known him for a long time. He was a splendid soldier and very popular with every one. We all feel his loss keenly. He showed wonderful pluck and endurance and was game to the end in spite of often exceedingly trying circumstances. You have my deepest sympathy regarding your great loss.”

“HE DIED BRAVELY”

Writing to Mrs Yoxall, Sergeant J. Acton of the deceased’s platoon says “Your son was a splendid soldier in every respect and I cannot describe to you how sadly myself and all his comrades miss him. It will be a comfort to you to know he did not suffer. He died bravely. He was one of the best, always willing and cheerful and was held in high esteem by the whole company.” Private Yoxall’s father has had 13 nephews serving in the forces but five had been killed. One of them, George Yoxall a Middlewich man came from India with his regiment to fight in France and on the first day that he entered the trenches he accounted for nine Germans and then fell himself, being shot through the head. His courageous act attracted considerable attention at the time and was fully described in the Guardian.

Lance-Coporal Gordon’s account of how Private Tom Yoxall was killed. Northwich Guardian 1916, 9th June, (P5/C5);   HOW PRIVATE YOXALL WAS KILLED.

In a letter dated May 13th, also sent to his mother, Lance-Corporal Gordon describes how he was standing talking to Private Yoxall, another Weaverham man, when the latter was killed by a trench mortar, along with two other men. Yoxall’s photograph and an account of his death was published in last Friday’s “Guardian.”

…. I was with Tom Yoxall when he was killed. He had only just been talking to me about Joe Shallcross and a trench mortar came and killed him and two more and wounded another one. It buried them all but I managed to get the one who was wounded out. It was a terrible job as he was fast under the other three and the enemy were firing at me all the time. We were only 40 yards from them and I was glad when I succeeded in getting them out. It took me half an hour as I couldn’t get help. I don’t expect he will ever forget it, I know I shall not. The chaps came and shook hands with me afterwards and one said it was the finest thing he had ever seen. Some men are lucky and get rewards for this kind of work but our captain has been killed and so I get nothing.”

William, (Pte.)

C.W.G.C. - remember William Yoxall at LE GRAND BEAUMART BRITISH CEMETERY, STEENWERCK, France. he died Friday 12th April 1918 aged 24. William was with the 9th Bn. Cheshire Regiment, No 17855. Son of Mr. and Mrs William Yoxall of 30 High Street, Weaverham. Inscription  “HIS DUTY WELL DONE”

N.A.M.C. - record William (Pte.) with the Cheshire Reg’t. No 17855, Theatre of War France, Date of Entry 19/7/15. Death recorded as 12/4/18. William was awarded the British Victory and 15 Star medals.

See William Yoxall for his story.

Research Bob Heaton