Name
Thomas Geary
1898
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
16/09/1916
18
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
PS/2608
Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment)
1st Bn.
"A" Coy.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BOURNE END (ST. JOHN) CHURCHYARD, NORTHCHURCH
679
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
None
UK & Other Memorials
Berkhamsted Town Memorial, Memorial, St Michael & All Saints Church, Sunnyside, Berkhamsted, Not on Hemel Hempstead memorials, Not on the Bourne End memorial
Pre War
Thomas Geary was born in 1898 in Berkhamsted, Herts, the son of John and Annie Geary and one of ten children.
On the 1901 and 1911 Censuses, the family were living at 28 George Street, where his father was working as a Carter/Horse keeper on a Farm.
He was a member of 1st Berkhamsted Troop Boy Scouts.
He gave his address on enlistment as 55 George Street, Berkhamsted and his trade as Shoeing & General Smith.
Wartime Service
Thomas enlisted on 4 August 1915 at Mill Hill, Middlesex, claiming to be 19 years and 1 month, and served in the 1st Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. He was posted to Woldingham, Surrey on 5 August 1916, presumably for training, and then to the Western Front on 16 July 1916.
He was wounded in action and returned to England on 21 August 1916 to Birkenhead Hospital where he died on 16 September 1916 from his wounds, aged 18, and is buried in St John's Churchyard, Bourne End, nr Bovingdon, Herts.
Additional Information
His mother received a pension of 4 shillings a week. His father received a war gratuity of £4 and pay owing of £3 13 11d. Messrs F & J Matthews Ltd received £2 0s 11d as part settlement of funeral costs.
N.B. on CWGC website his parents address is given as 50 George Street, Berkhamsted but on service records their address is shown as 55 George Street which is the address Thomas gave on enlistment.
He is also commemorated on the family grave, St John Churchyard, Bourne End, Herts.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Jonty Wild, dacorumheritage.org.uk, www.roll-of-honour.com
