Thomas Sydney Sleath
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Thomas Sydney Sleath was born in 1894 at Eastwood and was the second son of William a watchmaker and dealer and Adelaide Sleath née Stoppard of 20 Nottingham Road Eastwood. His father William Kapp Sleath was born in 1868 at Greasley and his mother Elizabeth Adelaide Stoppard was also born in 1868 at Greasley, they were married in 1891, their marriage was recorded in the Basford Registration District, they went on to have 6 children, sadly one was to die in infancy their surviving children were William Archibald b1893, Thomas Sydney b1894, Walter Stoppard b1896, Arthur Kenneth b1901 and Cyril Robert b1910, all the children were born at Eastwood. In the 1911 census the family are living at 20 Nottingham Road, Eastwood and are shown as William 43 yrs a watchmaker, dealer he is living with his wife Adelaide 43 yrs and their children, William 18 yrs a watchmakers assistant, Thomas 17 yrs a watchmakers assistant, Walter 15 yrs no occupation listed, Arthur 10 yrs a scholar and Robert 1 year, also living with them is Lilly Clerk 15 yrs a general domestic servant.
Corporal Thomas Sidney Sleath enlisted at Nottingham on 7th September 1914, he gave his age as 20 yrs and 271 days, his address was 20 Nottingham Road, Eastwood and he was a jeweller . He was posted to the King's Royal Rifle Corps and joined them at their barracks in Winchester on 10th September 1914. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on 10th October 1914 and to Corporal on 22nd January 1915. He embarked for France on 30th July 1915 He was killed by shrapnel whilst wiring at the front line on 28th May 1916. He was buried by five men from Eastwood (see letters). at Berles-Au-Bois Churchyard Extension , Pas de Calais, France.
According to The Eastwood & Kimberley Advertiser (9/9/1916) his army nickname was 'The Sunshine Corporal' because of his pleasant disposition..
