Sapper T H Claxton, R.E. died of wounds in action
The Norwich Mercury dated 27th October 1917 has this picture.
The accompanying text reads:-
Sapper T.H.Claxton, R.E, husband of Mrs. Claxton, Exhibition Stores, Lowestoft, died of wounds received in action.
CLAXTON, THOMAS KILWICK
Rank:…………………......Sapper
Service No:…………….156345
Date of Death:………..04/10/1917
Regiment:……………….Royal Engineers
………………………….......250th Tunnelling Coy.
Grave Reference:…..XXVII. E. 9.
Cemetery:………………ETAPLES MILITARY CEMETERY
CWGC: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/499954/CLAXTON,%20THO...
SDGW records that Sapper Thomas Kilwick Claxton Died of Wounds on the 4th October 1917 whilst serving with the 250th Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers. He was born and enlisted Lowestoft. No place of residence is shown.
The Medal Index Card for Sapper 156345 Thomas K Claxton, Royal Engineers, is held at the National Archive under reference WO 372/4/153785
He had previously been Private 3/9504 in the Suffolk Regiment.
discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D1833410
Some of his Army Service Records survived the burning down in the Blitz of the Warehouse where they were all stored, although they are burnt and torn and water damaged.
He enlisted on the 29th August 1914, embarked for France on the 7th October 1914, joining up with the 2nd Suffolks on the 5th November 1914. His Suffolk Serial number looks like 3/9564, although its heavily faded. At his medical at Bury St Edmunds on the 30th August 1914 he was recorded as 31 years and 2 months old, 5 feet 11.5 inches tall, weighed 163lbs, and had a fair complexion with Green eyes and light brown hair. There were no distinguishing marks.
His marriage to Alice Maud Davis, spinster, has been recorded, but the section relating to where and when has been ripped. The couple have two children recorded.
Thomas Llewellyn born 24th May 1909 at Lowestoft. Baptised Lowestoft 17th June-99(?)
(Thomas’ birth was originally recorded as 1899 but that was amended)
Robert Henry born 5th May 1912 at Lowestoft. Baptised Lowestoft 15th June 1912.
He was wounded in action on the 18th September 1915, receiving a Gun Shot Wound to his Left Hand and ??? – (the next entries of his service record have been subject to water damage, probably from the fire-fighting). He was admitted first to 52 Field Ambulance, then 7(?) Field Ambulance and the 50th Casualty Clearing Station. He was in the UK from the 21st October 1915 to the 25th October 1915 before returning to France. The next entries in the location column are difficult to make out, best guess would be that he rejoined the Battalion but was then attached to another unit, possibly a Tunnelling Company. In a note dated 13th February 1916 he rejoined the 2nd Suffolks.
In a note dated 30th April he was attached to the 250th Tunnelling Company R.E. effective 23rd April 1916. He was subsequently transferred to the Royal Engineers, although this was backdated to the 9th April 1916. His formal transfer request gives his civilian occupation as “Excavator”.
He was “re-mustered”as a Tunneller on the 23rd June 1916 downgraded to Tunnellers Mate on the 22nd September 1916, (“for laziness”), and then Tunneller again on the 7th December 1916. He received his mortal wounds, recorded as Gun Shot Wounds to the Back and a Compound fracture of the left femur on the 22nd September 1917. He died at No.7 Canadian General Hospital on the 4th October 1917.
His personal effects were to be sent to Mrs Alice M. Claxton, of Exhibition Stores, 87 High Street, Lowestoft according to a memo dated 26th March 1918.
A pension was awarded to Harrys’ widow and two children.
At the end of the War the Government decided to pay a War Gratuity to all men who had seen active service. In the case of Thomas this involved sending Army Form W.5080 to the last known next of kin, asking for details of surviving relatives following the current priority list for inheritance.
Alice Maud, his widow, completed the form in March 1920. The form has suffered considerably from water damage and fading. She was still living at 87 High Street, Lowestoft. The couple had three children who were still alive – Robert Henry, (born May 1912), Thomas Llewellyn, (born May 1909) and Elsie May, (born September 1889). Obviously that last date at first glance does not make sense.
Thomas’ father was Robert Crane Claxton. He and his wife Elizabeth live at 37 Crown Street, Lowestoft.
The section for Harrys’ brothers is just about readable. They were Albert William, (?), aged 44, of 139 Gipsy Road, Norwich and William (?) Henry (?), aged 28, of 19 Yale Road, New Barsford(?). I think there are 5 sisters but other than the age of the oldest being 42, the rest is indecipherable.
The 1918 Probate Calendar records that Thomas Kilwick Claxton, of 87 High Street, Lowestoft, Sapper 156345 of the 250th Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers, died at Etaples in France on the 4th October 1917. Administration of his estate was awarded at the Ipswich Court on the 27th March 1918 to a widow, Alice Maud Claxton. His effects were valued at £65 19d 1d.
probatesearch.service.gov.uk/Calendar?surname=Claxton&...
From the Norwich Mercury Births, Deaths and Marriages column, Saturday, October 20, 1917.
DIED OF WOUNDS
CLAXTON – In loving memory of Sapper T.K.Claxton, R.E. Thomas Claxton, the dearly beloved husband of Maud Claxton, Exhibition Stores, Lowestoft, who died of wounds, October 4th 1917.
“ He (????) beside his comrades,
In hallowed graves unknown,
But his name is written in letters of love,
In the hearts he left at home.”
From his sorrowing Wife and Children, Father and Mother, Sisters and Brothers.
1883 – Birth
The birth of a Thomas Kilwick Claxton was recorded in the July to September quarter, (Q3), of 1883 in the Mutford District of Suffolk.
1891 Censuses of England & Wales and Scotland
I could not initially find Thomas on this census, but having found in 1901 and 1911 it proved possible to track him – the Genealogy site I use has mistranscribed him and his family as having the surname “Clayton”.
Parents are Robert, (aged 43, a Coal Dealer, born Lowestoft) and Elizabeth, (aged 39, born Lowestoft). Children living with them at this time are:-
Robert…..aged 15...born Lowestoft…Post Errand Boy
Ellen…….aged 13..born Lowestoft
Elizabeth..aged 11..born Lowestoft
Gertrude…aged 10..born Lowestoft
Thomas….aged 7…born Lowestoft
May……..aged 5....born Lowestoft
Maud……aged 2…born Lowestoft
The most likely match for his future wife is a 10 year old Alice M Davis, born Lowestoft, who was recorded living at 37 Seago Street, Lowestoft. This was the household of her parents Henry, (45, a Mariner, born Kessingland, Suffolk) and Emma, (45, born Halesworth, Suffolk). As well as Alice the couple have 4 other children living with them
Alice is probably also on the 1881 census. Aged 8 months she was living, along with her twin sister Ethel as 45 Raglan Street West, Lowestoft. The adult in the household is her married mother Emma, (aged 35, born Halesworth). Emma give her relationship to the head of the household as Wife and her occupation looks like Sailors Wife, although this has been scored through probably by the census enumerator – this has been done for two other entries by women on the same page where they have made similar statements in the occupation column.
1901 Censuses of England & Wales and Scotland
The 17 year old Thomas Claxton, born Lowestoft and a Coal Dealer, was recorded living at 121 Wollaston Road, Lowestoft. This was the household of his parents, Robert, (aged 53, Coal Dealer, born Lowestoft) and Elizabeth, (aged 49, born Lowestoft). As well as Thomas their other children living with them are:-
Robert……aged 25……born Lowestoft….Groom
Gertrude…aged 20…….born Lowestoft
Thomas…..aged 17……born Lowestoft
May………aged 15……born Lowestoft
Maud……..aged 12……born Lowestoft
William…..aged 8……..born Lowestoft
The 20 year old Alice Maud Davis, single and a Dressmaker working at home, was still recorded living with her parents Henry, (55, Mariner employed by J J Colman) and Emma, (55), at 37 Seago Street, Lowestoft. Henry and Emma have four other unmarried children living with them and a grand-daughter, “Elsea” Davis, aged 19 months and born Lowestoft.
1908 – Marriage
The marriage of a Thomas Kilwick Claxton to an Alice Maud Davis was recorded in the Mutford District of Suffolk in the July to September quarter, (Q3), of 1908.
24th May 1909 – birth of son Thomas Llewellyn
(Source – Army Service records)
The birth of a Thomas Llewellyn Claxton was recorded in the Mutford District in the April to June quarter, (Q2), of 1909.
1911 Census of England and Wales
The 27 year old Thomas Kilwick Claxton, a married Seaman in the Coal Trade(?), was recorded as the head of the household at 22 Avondale Road, Lowestoft. He lives there with his wife Alice Maud, (aged 30, born Lowestoft). The couple state they have been married 2 years and have had just the one child, but two are recorded living with them. The eldest is Elsie Mary Claxton, aged 11 and born Lowestoft. The youngest is Thomas Llewellyn Claxton, aged 1 and born Lowestoft.
His widowed mother Elizabeth, (59), was recorded as the head of the household at 121 Wollaston Road, Lowestoft. She states she was married 36 years and has had 8 children, all then still alive. Still single and living with her are Gertrude, (30, Fishing Net Mender), Maud, (22, Tailoress), and William, (18, Printer).
Post August 1911 it had become compulsory when registering the birth of a child with the Civil Authorities in England and Wales to also record the mothers maiden name. A check of the General Registrars Office Index of Births for England and Wales produces just the one likely additional child – a Robert H Claxton, mothers maiden name Davis, whose birth was registered in the Mutford District in the April to June quarter, (Q2), of 1912. This would tie in with the Robert Henry who was born 5th May 1912 according to his fathers service records.
On the day
We know from his Service record that he received his mortal wounds, recorded as Gun Shot Wounds to the Back and a Compound fracture of the left femur on the 22nd September 1917.
250th Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers was formed in Rouen in October 1915. They dug the deep-level mines at Petit Bois, Peckham and Spanbroekmolen under the Messines Ridge and successfully detonated their mines at 3.10am on the 7th of June 1917.
www.plugstreet-archaeology.com/250TunnellingCoyRE.php
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/250th_Tunnelling_Company
www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/the-corp...
After the blowing of the tunnels under the Messines Ridge, the offensive and defensive tunnelling war practically came to an end. While there was still work to do in terms of building deep-dug-outs, the book Armageddon’s Walls: British Pill Boxes 1914-1918 makes reference to the 250th Tunnelling Company being utilised in the building of these from pre-fabricated sections in late 1917 \ early 1918.
books.google.co.uk/books?id=jmttBQAAQBAJ&pg=SL1-PA29&...
(Mildy photoshopped to try and remove the worst of the damage to the source image).
Sapper T H Claxton, R.E. died of wounds in action
The Norwich Mercury dated 27th October 1917 has this picture.
The accompanying text reads:-
Sapper T.H.Claxton, R.E, husband of Mrs. Claxton, Exhibition Stores, Lowestoft, died of wounds received in action.
CLAXTON, THOMAS KILWICK
Rank:…………………......Sapper
Service No:…………….156345
Date of Death:………..04/10/1917
Regiment:……………….Royal Engineers
………………………….......250th Tunnelling Coy.
Grave Reference:…..XXVII. E. 9.
Cemetery:………………ETAPLES MILITARY CEMETERY
CWGC: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/499954/CLAXTON,%20THO...
SDGW records that Sapper Thomas Kilwick Claxton Died of Wounds on the 4th October 1917 whilst serving with the 250th Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers. He was born and enlisted Lowestoft. No place of residence is shown.
The Medal Index Card for Sapper 156345 Thomas K Claxton, Royal Engineers, is held at the National Archive under reference WO 372/4/153785
He had previously been Private 3/9504 in the Suffolk Regiment.
discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D1833410
Some of his Army Service Records survived the burning down in the Blitz of the Warehouse where they were all stored, although they are burnt and torn and water damaged.
He enlisted on the 29th August 1914, embarked for France on the 7th October 1914, joining up with the 2nd Suffolks on the 5th November 1914. His Suffolk Serial number looks like 3/9564, although its heavily faded. At his medical at Bury St Edmunds on the 30th August 1914 he was recorded as 31 years and 2 months old, 5 feet 11.5 inches tall, weighed 163lbs, and had a fair complexion with Green eyes and light brown hair. There were no distinguishing marks.
His marriage to Alice Maud Davis, spinster, has been recorded, but the section relating to where and when has been ripped. The couple have two children recorded.
Thomas Llewellyn born 24th May 1909 at Lowestoft. Baptised Lowestoft 17th June-99(?)
(Thomas’ birth was originally recorded as 1899 but that was amended)
Robert Henry born 5th May 1912 at Lowestoft. Baptised Lowestoft 15th June 1912.
He was wounded in action on the 18th September 1915, receiving a Gun Shot Wound to his Left Hand and ??? – (the next entries of his service record have been subject to water damage, probably from the fire-fighting). He was admitted first to 52 Field Ambulance, then 7(?) Field Ambulance and the 50th Casualty Clearing Station. He was in the UK from the 21st October 1915 to the 25th October 1915 before returning to France. The next entries in the location column are difficult to make out, best guess would be that he rejoined the Battalion but was then attached to another unit, possibly a Tunnelling Company. In a note dated 13th February 1916 he rejoined the 2nd Suffolks.
In a note dated 30th April he was attached to the 250th Tunnelling Company R.E. effective 23rd April 1916. He was subsequently transferred to the Royal Engineers, although this was backdated to the 9th April 1916. His formal transfer request gives his civilian occupation as “Excavator”.
He was “re-mustered”as a Tunneller on the 23rd June 1916 downgraded to Tunnellers Mate on the 22nd September 1916, (“for laziness”), and then Tunneller again on the 7th December 1916. He received his mortal wounds, recorded as Gun Shot Wounds to the Back and a Compound fracture of the left femur on the 22nd September 1917. He died at No.7 Canadian General Hospital on the 4th October 1917.
His personal effects were to be sent to Mrs Alice M. Claxton, of Exhibition Stores, 87 High Street, Lowestoft according to a memo dated 26th March 1918.
A pension was awarded to Harrys’ widow and two children.
At the end of the War the Government decided to pay a War Gratuity to all men who had seen active service. In the case of Thomas this involved sending Army Form W.5080 to the last known next of kin, asking for details of surviving relatives following the current priority list for inheritance.
Alice Maud, his widow, completed the form in March 1920. The form has suffered considerably from water damage and fading. She was still living at 87 High Street, Lowestoft. The couple had three children who were still alive – Robert Henry, (born May 1912), Thomas Llewellyn, (born May 1909) and Elsie May, (born September 1889). Obviously that last date at first glance does not make sense.
Thomas’ father was Robert Crane Claxton. He and his wife Elizabeth live at 37 Crown Street, Lowestoft.
The section for Harrys’ brothers is just about readable. They were Albert William, (?), aged 44, of 139 Gipsy Road, Norwich and William (?) Henry (?), aged 28, of 19 Yale Road, New Barsford(?). I think there are 5 sisters but other than the age of the oldest being 42, the rest is indecipherable.
The 1918 Probate Calendar records that Thomas Kilwick Claxton, of 87 High Street, Lowestoft, Sapper 156345 of the 250th Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers, died at Etaples in France on the 4th October 1917. Administration of his estate was awarded at the Ipswich Court on the 27th March 1918 to a widow, Alice Maud Claxton. His effects were valued at £65 19d 1d.
probatesearch.service.gov.uk/Calendar?surname=Claxton&...
From the Norwich Mercury Births, Deaths and Marriages column, Saturday, October 20, 1917.
DIED OF WOUNDS
CLAXTON – In loving memory of Sapper T.K.Claxton, R.E. Thomas Claxton, the dearly beloved husband of Maud Claxton, Exhibition Stores, Lowestoft, who died of wounds, October 4th 1917.
“ He (????) beside his comrades,
In hallowed graves unknown,
But his name is written in letters of love,
In the hearts he left at home.”
From his sorrowing Wife and Children, Father and Mother, Sisters and Brothers.
1883 – Birth
The birth of a Thomas Kilwick Claxton was recorded in the July to September quarter, (Q3), of 1883 in the Mutford District of Suffolk.
1891 Censuses of England & Wales and Scotland
I could not initially find Thomas on this census, but having found in 1901 and 1911 it proved possible to track him – the Genealogy site I use has mistranscribed him and his family as having the surname “Clayton”.
Parents are Robert, (aged 43, a Coal Dealer, born Lowestoft) and Elizabeth, (aged 39, born Lowestoft). Children living with them at this time are:-
Robert…..aged 15...born Lowestoft…Post Errand Boy
Ellen…….aged 13..born Lowestoft
Elizabeth..aged 11..born Lowestoft
Gertrude…aged 10..born Lowestoft
Thomas….aged 7…born Lowestoft
May……..aged 5....born Lowestoft
Maud……aged 2…born Lowestoft
The most likely match for his future wife is a 10 year old Alice M Davis, born Lowestoft, who was recorded living at 37 Seago Street, Lowestoft. This was the household of her parents Henry, (45, a Mariner, born Kessingland, Suffolk) and Emma, (45, born Halesworth, Suffolk). As well as Alice the couple have 4 other children living with them
Alice is probably also on the 1881 census. Aged 8 months she was living, along with her twin sister Ethel as 45 Raglan Street West, Lowestoft. The adult in the household is her married mother Emma, (aged 35, born Halesworth). Emma give her relationship to the head of the household as Wife and her occupation looks like Sailors Wife, although this has been scored through probably by the census enumerator – this has been done for two other entries by women on the same page where they have made similar statements in the occupation column.
1901 Censuses of England & Wales and Scotland
The 17 year old Thomas Claxton, born Lowestoft and a Coal Dealer, was recorded living at 121 Wollaston Road, Lowestoft. This was the household of his parents, Robert, (aged 53, Coal Dealer, born Lowestoft) and Elizabeth, (aged 49, born Lowestoft). As well as Thomas their other children living with them are:-
Robert……aged 25……born Lowestoft….Groom
Gertrude…aged 20…….born Lowestoft
Thomas…..aged 17……born Lowestoft
May………aged 15……born Lowestoft
Maud……..aged 12……born Lowestoft
William…..aged 8……..born Lowestoft
The 20 year old Alice Maud Davis, single and a Dressmaker working at home, was still recorded living with her parents Henry, (55, Mariner employed by J J Colman) and Emma, (55), at 37 Seago Street, Lowestoft. Henry and Emma have four other unmarried children living with them and a grand-daughter, “Elsea” Davis, aged 19 months and born Lowestoft.
1908 – Marriage
The marriage of a Thomas Kilwick Claxton to an Alice Maud Davis was recorded in the Mutford District of Suffolk in the July to September quarter, (Q3), of 1908.
24th May 1909 – birth of son Thomas Llewellyn
(Source – Army Service records)
The birth of a Thomas Llewellyn Claxton was recorded in the Mutford District in the April to June quarter, (Q2), of 1909.
1911 Census of England and Wales
The 27 year old Thomas Kilwick Claxton, a married Seaman in the Coal Trade(?), was recorded as the head of the household at 22 Avondale Road, Lowestoft. He lives there with his wife Alice Maud, (aged 30, born Lowestoft). The couple state they have been married 2 years and have had just the one child, but two are recorded living with them. The eldest is Elsie Mary Claxton, aged 11 and born Lowestoft. The youngest is Thomas Llewellyn Claxton, aged 1 and born Lowestoft.
His widowed mother Elizabeth, (59), was recorded as the head of the household at 121 Wollaston Road, Lowestoft. She states she was married 36 years and has had 8 children, all then still alive. Still single and living with her are Gertrude, (30, Fishing Net Mender), Maud, (22, Tailoress), and William, (18, Printer).
Post August 1911 it had become compulsory when registering the birth of a child with the Civil Authorities in England and Wales to also record the mothers maiden name. A check of the General Registrars Office Index of Births for England and Wales produces just the one likely additional child – a Robert H Claxton, mothers maiden name Davis, whose birth was registered in the Mutford District in the April to June quarter, (Q2), of 1912. This would tie in with the Robert Henry who was born 5th May 1912 according to his fathers service records.
On the day
We know from his Service record that he received his mortal wounds, recorded as Gun Shot Wounds to the Back and a Compound fracture of the left femur on the 22nd September 1917.
250th Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers was formed in Rouen in October 1915. They dug the deep-level mines at Petit Bois, Peckham and Spanbroekmolen under the Messines Ridge and successfully detonated their mines at 3.10am on the 7th of June 1917.
www.plugstreet-archaeology.com/250TunnellingCoyRE.php
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/250th_Tunnelling_Company
www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/the-corp...
After the blowing of the tunnels under the Messines Ridge, the offensive and defensive tunnelling war practically came to an end. While there was still work to do in terms of building deep-dug-outs, the book Armageddon’s Walls: British Pill Boxes 1914-1918 makes reference to the 250th Tunnelling Company being utilised in the building of these from pre-fabricated sections in late 1917 \ early 1918.
books.google.co.uk/books?id=jmttBQAAQBAJ&pg=SL1-PA29&...
(Mildy photoshopped to try and remove the worst of the damage to the source image).