Thomas Henry Woolley
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Thomas Henry was born in 1898 the son of Thomas a labourer and Elizabeth Woolley née Boultby who were both born in 1878 at Nottingham.They were married at St Paul's Church Nottingham on 19th December 1894 and had 11 children all born at Nottingham - Jane Elizabeth b.1895, Thomas Henry b.1898, Eliza b.1899, Mary Ann b.1901, Albert John b.1904, Samuel b.1906, Charles b.1907, Ernest b.1909, John Robert b.1911, Edith b.1913, Henry b.1914. In 1911 the family lived at Bromley Street Nottingham. Thomas senior was a bricklayer's labourer and Elizabeth a blouse clipper.
Thomas Henry Woolley enlisted at Nottingham on 10th June 1914 stating he was 18 but, born in 1898, he was actually 16. He was a fitter. His next of Kin was his mother Elizabeth 12 Nile Street Nottingham. He joined the 4th Special Reserve Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby) Regiment. He went out to France on 27th December 1914 and served with the 2nd Battalion, Sherwood Foresters.
His father Thomas (senior) also served in the Great War in the 2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters. He was killed in action on 16th September 1916 and is buried in Serre Road Cemetery No 2 Beaumont Hamel. See record on this Roll of Honour.
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 11 June 1915: ‘Woolley. Killed in action May 13th, Thomas Woolley, 2nd Sherwood Foresters, dearly beloved son of Thomas and Elizabeth Woolley, 12, Nile-street, aged 17. He gave his life for his country. He died a noble death.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
'In Memoriam' notices, 13th May 1916, Nottingham Evening Post :-
WOOLLEY. – In loving memory of Private Thomas Henry Woolley, Sherwood Foresters, killed in action, May 13th, 1915. He is gone, but not forgotten, and as dawns another year in our lonely hours of thinking thoughts of him are always near. – Sorrowing mother, brothers, and sisters, and father (in France).
“WOOLLEY. – In loving memory of our dear brother, Thomas Henry Woolley, Sherwood Foresters, killed in action May 13th, 1915. There's never a morn nor night returns but what we think of thee. – From sister and brother Lizzie and Harry.”
Above courtesy Jim Grundy facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
Also ‘In Memoriam’ notices, 14 May 1917 and 13 May 1918, from mother, brothers and sisters, and from brother and sister, Harry and Lizzie.
Thomas Henry Woolley
Photograph published 10th June 1915, Nottingham Evening Post. Courtesy Jim Grundy facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
Thomas Henry Woolley
CWGC headstone marking his grave, Le Touquet Railway Crossing Cemetery (courtesy David Alton)