Name
Thomas George Searle (MC, MSM)
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
20/09/1917
26
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Second Lieutenant
Bedfordshire Regiment
1st/2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Military Cross, Military Service Medal
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Panel 48 to 50 and 162A.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour, St Michael and All Angels Church Memorial, Watford, St James' Church Memorial, Watford Fields
Pre War
Son of Elizabeth Mary (nee COSTER) SEARLE of Watford, and William John SEARLE.
His parents married 21 November 1883 at Christ Church, Brondesbury, Middx. William died 1923 in Watford aged 63, and was buried 31 May in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Elizabeth died 1936 in Watford aged 76, and was buried 19 August, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
Thomas was born 30 November 1891 in Watford, and baptised 17 February 1892 at St Mary’s, Watford. He attended first the National Infants’ School, Watford; then Beechen Grove Board School, Watford, from 28 February 1898 to 29 November 1905.
He has an entry in the National Probate Calendar.
On the 1901 Census, aged 9 he lived in Watford, with his parents and six siblings. On the 1911 Census, a Lance-Corporal in the Army aged 19, he still lived in Watford, with his parents and four siblings.
Wartime Service
He enlisted 17 January 1910 in Watford for 7 years with the Colours 5 years in the Reserves: a gardener aged 18, 5’5″ tall, C of E, next of kin his mother of Watford; Private 9515 1st Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment.
He served at Home 17 January 1910 to 26 December 1914, during which time he was appointed Lance-Corporal 10 March 1911, promoted Corporal 20 August 1912, appointed Lance-Sergeant 8 August 1914, posted to the 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, and promoted Acting Sergeant 6 September 1914.
He served with the B.E.F. from 27 December 1914, during which time he was appointed Acting Quarter-Master Sergeant 20 September 1915, and attached to the 21st Infantry Brigade Headquarters.
He was promoted Sergeant 1 February 1916, and rejoined the 2nd Battalion 21 July 1916.
He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal 10 November 1916, and was commissioned in the Field as Second Lieutenant with the 2nd Battalion 9 March 1917.
He was awarded the Military Cross 16 August 1917, and was entitled to the Victory, British War and 1914-15 Star medals, his qualifying date being 27 December 1914.
He was part of a failed trench raid at Hollebeke which was heavily fired on, the wire was uncut making advance impossible; he was wounded and missing, presumed killed in action.
Additional Information
There are articles about Thomas in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 19 June 1915, 31 March 1917, 18 August 1917, and 7 December 1918; plus an In Memoriam in the issue dated 27 September 1919. Also articles in the St Michael’s Parish Magazine iss
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
