Tom's Story.
Born in 1890 at Knutsford, son of gardener, Edwin and Elizabeth Darlington, Chelford Road, Knutsford. Tom was the eldest of three boys. His brothers were, Harold and Wilfred. In 1911, the family were living at 2, Sparrow Lane, Knutsford. Tom gained a scholarship from St Cross School, subsequently, attending the Knutsford Grammar School. He was also in the choir at St Cross Church and was connected with the Church Lads Brigade. He was employed at the offices of Messrs Sedgley, Caldecutt and Company, Solicitors, Knutsford, before immigrating to Canada in 1911; there he took up an appointment with the Canadian Railway Company.
Following the outbreak of war, he returned to this country, departing from Montreal, Quebec, on the “S.S. Scandinavian” arriving in Liverpool, England, on November 21st 1914. The following month he and his brother went to Manchester, and both joined the Manchester Pals.
Tom attested on the 21st December 1914, at Belle Vue, Manchester, he was aged 24 years 1 month and 4 days. He was posted to the 20th Service Battalion Manchester Regiment. His army medical papers show that he was five feet eight inches tall with a thirty-four and half inch chest measurement, his religion was Church of England. By the 11th February 1915, he was already a Corporal; he gained his third stripe by the 1st August 1915. Tom was drafted with the British Expeditionary Force to France, 09/11/1915. During the mid-summer of 1916, Tom was responsible for some action (not recorded) which resulted in his being awarded the Military Medal for Bravery in the Field, (London Gazette 01/09/1916). Tom returned to England, 06/01/1917, presumably to attend an officers training course, though on his medal index card it states, commissioned on the 6th January 1917.
On being given his commission into the Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment, Tom would have then served in Italy with the regiment. The Royal West Surrey regiment entrained on the 1st March 1918 at Padova goods station and proceeded to France, detraining on the 6th March at Doullens, they then marched to their billets at Ivergny. The regiment then advanced through France to take up a position in Flanders on the Ypres Salient. On the 29th September they received orders that the 123rd Brigade would attack at 7.30 a.m. with the Middlesex Regiment on the right and the Royal West Kent’s on the left with the Queen’s in support, the Wervicq – Comines railway. During the attack they encountered heavy machine gun and shell fire, and had to fall back owing to casualties and exposed flanks. On the 1st October they marched to Ypres – Menin Road via Tenbrielen and America. At 4.25 p. m. orders were received for the Battalion to attack with the 23rd Middlesex Regiment on the right and make good the railway Wervicq – Menin, after 1500 yards it came under very heavy machine gun fire, the Battalion halted and dug in. Lieutenant, Tom Darlington was killed in action, 01/10/1918, aged 27 years.
In his service record there was a Memorandum dated 11th February 1920:
I am directed to inform you that the person entitled to receive the Military Medal in respect of services of the officer described in the margin, now deceased: Lieutenant T. Darlington (M.C. M.M.) Royal West Surrey Regiment for service as 18125, Lance Sergeant, 20th Battalion Manchester Regiment is the mother, Mrs E. Darlington, 2, Sparrow Lane, Knutsford, Cheshire
I am to state that action should be taken under paragraph 4 of Army Orders 363 of 1916 as regards this decoration which was issued on J.V. 978 dated 19/09/1916 and receipt acknowledged by Major A. O. Jacobs on 2nd October 1916.
The award of the Military Cross in 1918, was accompanied with the following citation:
“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When shelters were blown in by enemy shelling and several men were buried, this officer and four men after nearly three hours digging under heavy shellfire which necessitated them in taking refuge several times, succeeded in rescuing one man alive. This rescue was due to his example of energy and determination.
Tom Darlington’s family had moved to 38, Tolland Lane, Hale, Cheshire.
Lieutenant, Tom Darlington, M C, M.M, is buried at Hooge Crater Cemetery, West Vlaanderen, Belgium. C.W.G.C. Ref: - XVII. G. 17.