Name
Thomas William Sills
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
28/07/1916
24
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
14483
Bedfordshire Regiment
1st Bn.
"D" Coy.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 2C.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour, Christ Church Memorial, Watford, Delville Wood Roll of Honour, Longueval France
Pre War
Son of Christopher Thomas SILLS of Watford, and the late Alice Eliza (nee JUDGE) SILLS.
His parents married 11 May 1890 at St Mary’s, Watford. Alice died 1911 in Watford aged 48, and was buried 7 December in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Christopher died 1938 in Watford aged 81, and was buried 16 December, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
Thomas was born 7 or 14 October 1892 in Watford, and baptised 11 January 1893 at St Mary’s, Watford. He attended first Callow Land Infants’ School, Watford; then Callowland Board School from 9 January 1899 to 11 October 1901; then Alexandra School, Watford, from 21 October 1901 to 12 October 1906. He resided in Watford, and was employed at the Cocoa Works.
On the 1901 Census, aged 8 he lived in Watford, with his parents and five siblings. On the 1911 Census, a news vendor aged 18, he still lived in Watford, with his parents and four siblings.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Watford; was entitled to the Victory, British War and 1914-15 Star medals, his qualifying date being 27 April 1915, and died of wounds received in action.
Additional Information
Unfortunately, Thomas’ Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing. There is a Death announcement for Thomas in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 19 August 1916; plus an In Memoriam in the issue dated 26 July 1
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
