Name
Thomas Cartwright
22 Sep 1891
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
19/11/1916
25
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
147356
Canadian Infantry
78th Bn., Manitoba Regiment
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
VIMY MEMORIAL
France
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour, Tring Town Memorial, St Peter & St Paul Church Roll of Honour, Tring
Pre War
Thomas Cartwright was born on 23 Sep 1891 in Tring (baptised 10 Dec 1891)to John Cartwright. labourer, and Susan, a straw plaiter , (nee Dover). His parents married 13 September 1884 at Sts Peter and Paul, Tring, Herts. John died 1908 in the Hemel Hempstead, Herts, district aged 51, and was buried 19 December in Tring Cemetery.
On the 1891 Census his parents together with Elizabeth (born 1886), and Charles (born 1889) were living at Albion Place , Tring and also had lodgers Emily, and her daughters Eliza (born 1879) and Kate (born 1887) living with the family.
On the 1901 Census still living at Albion Place the family consisted of parents, Charles (errand boy), Thomas, Kate (born 1898) and Arthur (born 1901).
On the 1911 Census the family had moved to 27 Henry Street, Tring and consisted of Susan, Thomas, (a coachman on a farm), Joseph (born 1895, domestic gardener), Kate, Arthur, Lily (born 1903) and Frederick (born 1905).
Thomas sailed from Liverpool to St John’s, Nova Scotia, Canada, 15 December 1911 on the Canadian Pacific Line Empress of Britain, a seaman(?) aged 21.
Susan with Thomas’ siblings emigrated 26 April 1912 aboard the Allen Line Virginian from Liverpool to Quebec, Canada; and she possibly died 15 May 1939 in St B [!], Manitoba.
Wartime Service
Thomas attested as a volunteer in Winnipeg, Manitoba on 2 Jul 1915 giving his next of kin as his mother Susan of 354, Union Ave, Elmwood, Manitoba, He gave his occupation as warehouseman and that he was an active member of the Militia (100th Winnipeg Grenadiers). He posted to A Company, 78th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Winnipeg Grenadiers) and after training, embarked on SS Empress of Britain from Halifax on 20 May1916 arriving in Liverpool on 30 May being quartered at Bramshott,, Hants. On 12 Aug 1916 Thomas went to France with the Battalion as part of 12 Canadian Brigade, 4 Canadian Division and was deployed to the Battles of the Somme taking part in the battles of Le Transloy, (1 -18 Oct 1916), Ancre Heights, (1 – 11 Nov 1916) and Ancre 13 - 18 Nov 1916) . In this last actin Thomas was reported killed in action on 19 Nov 1916. His remains were not recovered and he is remembered on the Canadian Memorial at Vimy Ridge.
Additional Information
There is an article about Thomas in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 8 June 1918; plus an article in the Winnipeg Evening Tribune undated.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild, Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
