Name
Thomas Quarman
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
50705
Northumberland Fusiliers
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Biography
Thomas Quarman was born in 1883 at Abbots Langley. He was one of nine children (six sons and three daughters) born to William and Louisa Quarman. In 1891 the family lived at 5 Garden Road, Abbots Langley. William was recorded in the Census as an Army Pensioner. By the time of the 1901 Census Thomas had left the family home. In the autumn of 1903 Thomas married Annie Atkins at Watford, however the couple have not been identified in the 1911 Census records.
Thomas was first recorded in the Abbots Langley Parish Magazine Roll of Honour in November 1914 serving as a volunteer with “Kitchener’s Army”. At that point he had not been assigned to a specific battalion, but by December 1914 he was recorded serving with the 4th Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment. Thomas’ Medal Roll Index Card indicated that he was sent to France on 12th August 1915, and in December of the same year he was recorded in the Roll of Honour serving with the 1st Bedfordshire’s.
In November 1917 the Parish Magazine noted that Thomas had been reported wounded, serving in France, and his Medal Roll noted that he was subsequently discharged as Unfit for War Service. It seems that Thomas remained in the Army and in the December 1918 edition of the Parish Magazine he was recorded serving with the Northumberland Fusiliers. He was recorded in the Absent Voter Records of Autumn 1918 and Spring 1919, serving with the 2nd Garrison Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, indicating that although not fit for War Service in the battle zones, he had been utilised in a support role performing garrison duties. Thomas’ address in the Absent Voter Records was given at 39 Breakspeare Road, Abbots Langley – the same address that his brother Charles gave when he joined in 1914. Charles died in 1916 and did not return from the War.
Thomas survived the War, as did his brother Lewis. Two other brothers Charles and John both did not return. Charles died from wounds in Mesopotamia in January 1917, whilst John was killed in action in July 1916. His brother in law (brother of his wife Annie), Ernest Atkins, was killed in action in December 1917.
Additional Information
Formerly 1st & 4th Battalions Bedfordshire Regiment
Acknowledgments
Roger Yapp - www.backtothefront.org
