Name
Thomas Neale
1 September 1891
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
09/10/1917
26
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
15478
Bedfordshire Regiment
1st Bn.
'B' Coy.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Panel 48 to 50 and 162A.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Aspenden Village Memorial
Pre War
Thomas Neale was born in Aspenden, Hertfordshire on 1 September 1891, the son of William Thomas and Ellen Neale, and one of 14 children.
He was educated at St Mary's School, Tower Hamlets, from 6 January 1896 and the family were then living at 24 White Lion Street. By the 1901 Census they had moved to 8 Market Hill, Shadwell, London where his father was working as a horsekeeper/groom.
His parents were recorded on the 1911 living at 126 Blythe Road, West Kensington, London but Thomas was not living with them.
(They later returned to Aspenden and lived at 4, Malting Cottages, Aspenden, Buntingford, Herts)
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Royston, Herts and joined the Bedfordshire Regiment, serving with the 1st Battalion, B Company, in France from 27 April 1915.
Thomas was killed in action on 9 October 1917 during the Battle for Poelcapelle (3rd Battle of Ypres). He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.
Additional Information
His father received a war gratuity of £14 and pay owing of £11 0s 9d. He also received a pension initially of 3s 6 a week, later rising to 5 shillings a week.
Photo livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/3212920
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Jonty Wild
