Name
Edward James Thatcher
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
198707
Royal Field Artillery
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Biography
Edward Thatcher was born in the summer of 1898 at Abbots Langley. He was one of four children (three sons and one daughter) born to Frank and Eliza Burton. Edward’s two brothers, Charles and Frank also served in the Great War. At the time of the 1901 Census the family lived at 8 Adrian Road. Frank worked as a House Painter and Paper Hanger. The family remained at this address and were recorded there in the 1911 Census.
The Abbots Langley Parish Magazine Roll of Honour first recorded Edward in September 1916 serving with the Army Veterinary Corps (AVC). The National Roll of the Great War noted that he had joined in August 1916, and did not mention his service with the AVC. It continued to record that Edward was sent to the Western Front in October 1917, and was subsequently transferred to the Italian Front in December of the same year. He saw much action and fought in many engagements. In March 1918 he proceeded to Egypt and served through the advance in Palestine and Syria. He was wounded in the Riots in Cairo in March 1919 against the British occupation of Egypt and the Sudan. Shops were looted and trams were attacked in Cairo and the crowd demonstrated before the British residency and barracks. The military were called out and eventually restored order. Some demonstrators were killed and many injured, and over 400 were arrested. Edward returned to England and was demobilised in October 1919.
Edward was listed in the Absent Voter Records of Autumn 1918, Spring 1919 and Autumn 1919, and was shown serving with the 68th Brigade RFA. He gave his address at 8 Adrian Road, Abbots Langley.
Edward Thatcher survived the War, as did his brothers Charles and Frank.
Additional Information
Formerly Army Veterinary Corps.
Acknowledgments
Roger Yapp - www.backtothefront.org
