Thomas Wakefield
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Thomas Wakefield was born in 1859 at Sheffield, he was the son of Joseph a wire drawer and Catherine Wakefield.
His father was born in 1822 in Birmingham and his mother in 1826 at Douro, France.
Thomas married Elizabeth Parker (born 5th February 1871) at Nottingham) in 1893 in Nottingham and they had seven children, six surviving infancy - Olive b.1895 Derbyshire, Leonard b.1896 Derby, Joseph b.1900 Billingham, Lancashire. Edward b.1904 Balderton, Bernard b.1906 Balderton and Joyce b.1910 Newark.
In the 1911 census the family lived at 33 Balderton Gate, Newark. Thomas 52 yrs is a collecting agent, he is living with his wife Elizabeth 40 yrs and their children, Leonard 15 yrs no occupation listed, Joseph 11 yrs, Edward, 7 yrs, Bernard 5 yrs, Joyce 1 year old.
Commencing 16th July 1919 his widow was awarded a pension of 34 shillings and 7 pence a week.
Colour Sergeant Thomas Wakefield enlisted at Newark, he served with the Depot, battalion, Sherwood Foresters Regiment. He died on 7th Janaury 1916 of throat cancer , he is buried in Newark Cemetery.
His son Leonard Thomas Wakefield also served in the army during the Great War. He enlisted at Newark and served as Corporal with the 15th Battalion Sherwood Foresters. He was killed in action on 19th August 1917 and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. He is also commemorated on his father's CWGC headstone in Newark Cemetery Grave Reference: E C C 189
Photo Peter Gillings
Thomas Wakefield's CWGC headstone in Newark Cemetery