Thomas Henry Bacon
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Thomas Henry was the son of George Henry and Mary Ann Bacon (née Coulby, also Colby or Colbey). His father George Henry was born in 1861 at Doncaster, the son of Thomas, a railway labourer, and Sarah Bacon, both of whom were born in North Collingham. The family was living in Doncaster in 1861 but the couple's two daughters, including the youngest who was aged one year, had been born in North Collingham. They had returned to North Collingham by 1871 when they were living in Laughlands Yard, Low Street. His mother Mary Ann was the daughter of Ann Colbey (sic) who was also born in North Colingham and at the time of the 1871 Census was living on Low Street with her three children, of whom Mary, aged 4, was the eldest. George Henry and Mary Ann were married in 1890 and had at least six children: Thomas Henry birth registered 1892 (J/F/M), John William b. 1894, Florence Jane b. 1898 and Sarah Ann b. 1899 who were born in Newark, George b. Ordsell 1901 and Arthur b. Collingham 1905. In 1901, George, a railway platelayer, and Mary were living on Ordsall Common, East Retford, with their four children Thomas, John, Florence and Sarah. Their third son, George, was born in Ordsall later that year. George Henry died in 1904 (reg. J/A/S Newark). The sixth child, Arthur, was born the following year in North Collingham. The widowed Mary Ann was still living in Collingham in 1911 along with her six children, Thomas, a baker and confectioner, John a baker's apprentice, Florence, Sarah, George and Arthur. Mary Ann died in North Collingham in March 1939. Her four youngest children survived her.
2nd Bn Lincolnshire Regiment Thomas Henry Bacon enlisted on 9th September 1914 at Leeds. He was aged 22 years, 166 days (1 March 1892), 5' 3" tall and weighed 119 lbs. He gave his occupation as porter and named his mother Mary Ann Bacon of Low Street, North Collingham, as his next of kin. Thomas was posted to the Lincolnshire Regiment and joined at the depot in Lincoln on 11 September 1914. He was posted to the 2nd battalion on 24 April 1915 and embarked for BEF France the same day. He was promoted lance corporal on 23 June 1917. Thomas was awarded the Military Medal on 9 July 1917, three weeks before he was reported missing in action on 31 July 1917; he was later presumed to have been killed on that date. Thomas has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial (Panel 21). Awarded the Military Medal. Qualified for the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
His brother John William Bacon enlisted on 8th September 1914 at Derby. He was aged 20 yrs and 71 days, occupation railway porter. He gave his next of kin as his mother Mary of Low Street, Collingham. John was posted to the Kings Royal Rifle Corps and landed in France on 22nd July 1915 where he served with the 11th Bn. He was killed in action on 3rd September 1916 and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France. (See Record on this Roll of Honour) Newark Advertiser, 5 September 1917: ‘Collingham Lad Missing. A letter has been received from the War Office, stating that Lance-Corpl. Thos Bacon, the eldest son of Mrs Bacon and the late Mr GH Bacon, Collingham, of the 2nd Lincolns, has been missing from the end of July. He joined the regular army for long term service soon after war broke out, being previously a ship’s cook. He had been out at the front for about 2½ years. Both he and his brother Jack, since killed in action, enlisted on the same day joining the same regiment as their father, the King’s Royal Rifles. By a sad coincidence, the news of Thomas being missing comes almost on the anniversary of the death of his brother Jack which took place on September 3rd, 1916, and much sympathy is felt with the family in the anxious time through which they are passing.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) This report was also published in the Newark Herald, 8 September 1917 Newark Advertiser, 8 March 1939: ‘News from the Villages. Collingham. Death of Mrs Bacon. On Friday morning the death occurred of Mrs Mary Anne (sic) Bacon, in her 73rd year. She is survived by two sons and two daughters. She lost two sons in France in the Great War. The funeral took place yesterday afternoon.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
