Thomas Sandbatch

Private T Sandbatch Worksop Guardian 30 April 1915 Pte Thomas Sandbatch, of 39 Aldred Street, Worksop, only son of Mrs Mary Wilson, was killed in action at Neuve Chapelle between March 11th and 13th. The news is all the more distressing, as Thomas was his mother’s only support. He was attached to the 1st Batt. Of the Sherwood Foresters, joining Kitcheners Army on September 2nd, and proceeding to France on January 29th. Previous to the outbreak of war he was employed on the screens at Manton Pit. A single man, he was 31 years of age, and was of a quiet disposition. Seven days before he was killed, Pte Sandbatch wrote a cheery letter home, acknowledging the receipt of a gift of chocolate, which he had received just previous to going into the trenches. Private Sandbach Worksop Guardian 4 June 1915 With regard to the late Pte Sandbach of Aldred Street, Worksop, who was the first Territorial to be killed in action, we regret to learn that some unkind rumours have been in circulation as to why he was not allowed to return home before he went to the front. In justice to the late soldiers’ memory, we have made strict enquiries into the matter, and are informed by the military authorities that the reason why Pte Sandbach did not return home was because no leave was to be granted to members of his platoon until the end of January. “Your son“ writes the captain of Sandbach’s Company, in a letter to his mother, “ Went away with the draft on January 27th. I am exceedingly sorry you did not see him before he went. We all thought very highly of him, which is the reason he went out so soon. Please accept my sincerest sympathy in your great loss.” This letter should effectively silence those people who have traduced the dead man’s memory.

CWG additional information:- Son of Mrs. Mary Wilson, of 39, Aldred St., Worksop, Notts. Remembered on the Le Touret Memorial. Research by Colin Dannatt