Thomas Merrills
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
John Merrills and Sarah Crookes married in Worksop in 1893. They lived in the village of Hardwick in the Cumber Estate, near Worksop and John worked as a general agricultural labourer. They had 9 children who were all born at Hardwick, Minnie 1883, Thomas 1894 Hardwick, Ernest 1896, Fanny 1898, Mary 1901, George 1903, William 1906, Leslie 1908 and Annie 1910. In 1911, the family were living at the Old School House, Hardwick with the exception of Thomas, their second child, as he was working as a gardener’s apprentice at the Clumber Park estate.
Lance Corpl. T. Merrills Worksop Guardian 10 May 1918 Mr. and Mrs. John Merrills, of School House, Hardwick, are informed by Lieut. W.E.Brown, S.F., that their eldest son, Lance Corpl. Thomas Merrills, Sherwood Foresters, was killed in action on April 24th. The letter which was received a few days ago, reads as follows:;- “It is with deepest sympathy and regret that I write to inform you of the death of your son, Lance Corpl. Merrills, of the Company under my command. The poor lad had been ordered to make a counter attack on Villers Brettonneux, and our Corps was leading the way to make the position. They came under very heavy machine gun fire. Your son was wounded early in the action, and was proceeding to the rear when he was shot through the head and killed instantly……Your son was a good soldier, and one of whom I could depend. Please accept the deepest sympathy of the Whole Company and that of myself, in your great loss.” Lance Corpl. Merrills enlisted about two years ago. He took part in quelling the Irish Rebellion, and since embarking for France in 1917, he has seen much service. He was home on a well earned leave six weeks ago. His younger brother Pte. Ernest Merrills, Sherwood Foresters, is a wounded prisoner of war in Germany. A postcard was received from him by his parents on April 23rd. The date when it was written is not given, but it was stamped at London on the 23rd . He says he is getting on quite well, and is in the best of health. “I wrote a letter to you to say that I was wounded and a prisoner, but I don’t know whether you will get it or not. Don’t worry, I am happy enough. Remember me to all at Hardwick and Clumber.” His deceased brother, shortly before being killed, had written to his parents informing them that Ernest had been taken prisoner. He appears to have seen the Germans overwhelm them, though he was fortunate enough in escaping. In pre war times, both lads were employed at the Clumber Gardens, and were very well known and respected. Much sympathy is expressed with Mr. and Mrs. Merrills and family in their trouble.
CWGC - Son of John and Sarah Merrills, of Old School House, Clumber Park, Worksop Buried at Pozieres Memorial, France. Research by Colin Dannatt
