Name
Andrew Thomas Irons
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
13/04/1917
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
82762
Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
110th Coy.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ARRAS MEMORIAL
Bay 10.
France
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Harpenden Town Memorial, Church of St Nicholas Memorial, Harpenden
Pre War
Andrew Thomas was born in Harpenden in 1881 to John William Irons, a baker, and Mary Hannah (nee Farr). The family were living at Church Green on the 1891 census. Andrew was the youngest son of five brothers and there were four sisters.
On the 1901 Census the family were at the High Street, Harpenden and Andrew was a postman. Andrew married in Northampton on 11 Feb 1906 to Lily Tame and they had a daughter Ena Lily. By the 1911 Census Andrew and family were living at Waters Terrace, East Common, Harpenden.
Wartime Service
Andrew attested on 7 Dec 1915 and was placed on Special Reserve with the "C" Company 8th Battalion, London Regiment (Post Office Rifles). He gave his address as Park Lodge, Leyton Road, Harpenden.
He was mobilised on 24 Oct 1916 and transferred to Machine Gun Corps on 19 Dec 1916. He went France via Folkestone on 13 Feb 1917 after spells in Base Depots at Camiers and Etaples joined 110 Company MGC on 10 Mar 1917.
Andrew was killed in action during the battle of Arras and is remembered on the Arras Memorial.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £3 and arrears of £2 15s 2d was paid to his widow. Also receive pension of 18s 9d per week.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild, Mary Skinner, Harpenden & District Local History Society (www.harpenden-history.org.uk)
