THOMAS KNOWLES (M.M)

Rank: Corporal
Service Number:31428.
Regiment: 2nd Bn York and Lancaster Regiment
Formerly: 4927, South Lancashire Regiment., M.M.
Killed In Action Friday 3rd May 1918
Age 27
County Memorial PlemstallUpton nr Chester
Commemorated\Buried Nine Elms British Cemetery
Grave\Panel Ref: XI. B. 9.

Thomas's Story.

Cpl Thomas Knowles

Born 1881

Plemstall Mickle Trafford N Chester

1901 Census

Plemstall Mickle Trafford N Chester

William Knowles (Widower) 45 Platelayer for Railway

Margaret Knowles 19

Fanny Knowles 11

Thomas Knowles  10

William Knowles 8

George Knowles  6

Annie Woodcock (Granddaughter) 4

Ada Knowles 3

 

1911 Census

The Crossings

William Knowles Age 50 Platelayer on the Railway C.L. C Railway

Name Charles Knowles Age 32 Platelayer on the Railway C.L. C Railway

Name Thomas Knowles Age 20 Motor Tin Making

Name George Knowles Age 15 Farm labourer

Name Annie Knowles Age 14 At Home

Name Ada Knowles Age 13 School

 

 

He worked as an asylum attendant and his address was at The County Asylum Upton Chester

His Next of Kin was William Knowles of Plemstall Crossing, Mickle Trafford Chester

Relationship Father

Mother Sarah Knowles Deceased 1900

 

Thomas Joined up aged 23 years and 10 months on the 11 April 1916

 

He completed his Medical on the 10th December 1915

He was 5 Ft 7 1/4 inches

Weight 129 Lbs

36 in Chest

After training until embarked for France 27 September 1916 From Southampton arriving at Ronen 28th September 1916

 

Once in France he went into 4th Reserve Bn and posted to the 2 Bn 8th October 1916

16 October – 26 November he attended 6t Div Grenade Course

From the end of November until 8th May he was at Corps Central Infantry School and being promoted to LCpl

From the 5 November – 19th November he was on Leave

 

Promoted Lance Corporal November 1916

Promoted Corporal 20 November 1917

 

British Army Recipients of the Military Medal

London Gazette 6 May 1918

Thomas Knowles

Death Date: 3 May 1918

Notes: Killed in action

Regiment: York and Lancaster Regiment

Regiment Number: 31428

Battalion: 2nd Battalion

Rank: Corporal

Medals: Military Medal

Siblings

Charles Aged 30 Living at Plemstall Crossings Mickle Trafford

George Aged 25 Royal Garrison Artillery (Germany)

Martha Nicholson (Sister) aged 40 Plemstall Crossings Mickle Trafford

Ada Knowles aged 22 Plemstall Crossings Mickle Trafford

Margaret Ann Colley aged 42 Guilden Sutton Chester

Alice Knowles aged 28 C/o The County Asylum Chester

His Mother Sarah Knowles nee Woodcock Born Tarvin 1987

Died 27th January 1900 Burial St Bartholomew’s Churchyard Barrow

Mother-in-law of Bombardier John Montague Nicholson, buried alongside the family grave

Research and Compiled by Simon Gildea