Name
Thomas William John Baldock
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
25/09/1916
30
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
20830
East Surrey Regiment
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 6 B and 6 C.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the High Wych memorials
Pre War
Thomas was born at High Wych in late 1886, probably at the Hand and Crown public house. He was definitely living there in the census return of 1891 where his father George was recorded as the publican there.
Later, Thomas’ family moved away and from 1901 onwards was recorded as living in Potter Street, Harlow.
Wartime Service
Thomas was a ‘Kitchener’ volunteer, enlisting in 1914 at Warley near Brentwood. He was to serve in the 1st Battalion East Surrey Regiment. This was a ‘regular’ unit to which Thomas would have been posted as a replacement. They had the nickname of the ‘Young Buffs’.
On 25 September 1916 as a part of the wider Somme offensive, Thomas’ unit was involved in the Battle of Morval. The 1st East Surrey began their advance at 1235, and by 1800 had consolidated a position on a spur of land East and North of the village. The attack was a relative success, but one of the casualties was Thomas. He was killed in action and has no known grave.
Thomas Baldock is named on the Thiepval Memorial and the Latton Memorial Cross, Harlow. He was aged 29.
Acknowledgments
Douglas Coe, Jonty Wild
