Saturday, September 06, 2014

94309 Dvr Thomas Jesse Woodhams, Royal Field Artillery

Thomas J Woodhams appears on the 1901 census of England and Wales as a thirteen year old living with his family at Twyford Lodge Cottage, Maresfield, Sussex. The family comprised Thomas Woodhams (head), a widower aged 38 and working from home as a gamekeeper. With him were his four children: Kate Woodhams (aged 15), Thomas (attending school), Jesse Woodhams (aged ten) and Frederick Woodhams (aged three). Thomas senior and the two oldest children had been born in Tunbridge Wells. Jesse was born at Chelwood Common, Sussex and Frederick at Twyford, Sussex.

Chailey Parish Magazine first mentions Thomas J Woodhams in August 1917 noting: Woodhams, Pte T J, RFA. This information is repeated up to and including the final published roll call in July 1919.

A search of the National Archives’ medal index cards suggest that he may be 94309 Driver Thomas Woodhams who subsequently served as a driver with the Labour Corps (number 425546), although this line of research needs to be investigated more thoroughly. Thomas’s two brothers: Jesse Woodhams and Frederick Woodhams also served their King and Country during the First World War.

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