Name
Thomas Drage
6/04/1895
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
10/01/1916
20
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
15627
Bedfordshire Regiment
8th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ETAPLES MILITARY CEMETERY
VI. B. 8A.
France
Headstone Inscription
R. I. P.
UK & Other Memorials
Royston Town War Memorial, Kneesworth Congregational Church Memorial Royston, Not on the Cheshunt memorials
Pre War
Thomas Drage was born in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, on 6th April 1895, son of Arthur Drage a, Police Constable and Mary Ann Drage (nee Brazier). One of eight children although one died in infancy.
1901 Census records Thomas aged 5, living with his parents and three brothers William (17), George (9) and Joseph (8) at, 53 Albury Grove Road, Cheshunt, Herts.
1911 Census records Thomas aged 15, an Apprentice Compositor, living with his parents, brother’s George (19) and Joseph (18) in, Queen’s Road, Royston, Herts. His father is recorded as a Police Pensioner and the Heath Bailiff.
Wartime Service
Thomas enlisted at Royston, Herts, posted to the 8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment with the service number 15627. In August 1915 the Battalion was at Blackdown Camp, near Chobham, Surrey, for Trench warfare training on Chobham Common. The Battalion was mobilized for war on 21st August 1915, Thomas and his Battalion landed in France on 30th August 1915, for service on the Western Front.
He Died in Hospital at Etaples, France, on 10th January 1916, of wounds received in action, he is buried in the CWGC Etaples Military Cemetery, France.
Additional Information
His effects of £5-2s-6d, Pay Owing and his War Gratuity of £5-10s-00d, went to his father Arthur Drage. He ordered his headstone inscription: "R. I. P." His elder brother Private 23044 George Drage, of the 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, was Killed in Action on 23rd April 1917.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Paul Johnson
