Thomas Thornton
- Family History
- Military History
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Thomas Thornton was the son of John Thornton and Sarah Wood who married at Nottingham in 1887. Their children included: John Hargreave (b.1889), Annie (b.1891), Thomas (b.1892), Elsie (b.1896), and Nellie (b.1904). The Thornton family lived at: 26 Pinfold Street, Loughborough [C.1891]; 29 Brixton Road, Radford [C.1901]; 18 Garfield Road Radford [C.1911]. This was still the family home in 1919 [Nottingham electoral registers]. John Thornton, who initially was employed as an engine driller [C.1891] and latterly worked as a lace maker, died at Nottingham, aged 72 in 1938. His wife, Sarah, had predeceased him, dying at Nottingham in 1929, aged 63.
Having initially signed to serve as a territorial in the 7th Bn. Sherwood Foresters on 24 February 1910 and then moved to the 4th Bn. Sherwood Foresters on 19 October 1910 he was prompted to enlist as a regular soldier at Derby on 6 March 1911; on 18 March 1911 he was posted to the 2nd Bn. Sherwood Foresters; appointed as paid Lance Corporal on 17 February 1912; promoted to Corporal 1 June 1913; posted to India with 1st Bn. Sherwood Foresters on 11 December 1913; appointed Lance Sergeant 2 October 1914; arrived in France on 4 November 1914; appointed Sergeant on 9 February 1915; suffered a gun shot wound to the left forearm which caused a compound fracture on 11 March 1915 while involved in fighting at Neuve Chapelle, France; initially treated at a Red Cross Centre but was then sent back to England on 17 March 1915; he was in hospital for ten months as the fracture failed to heal; posted to the 3rd Bn. Sherwood Foresters on 9 January 1916; eventually discharged as no longer fit to serve on 10 June 1918 and awarded an Army pension on 50% disability.
After leaving the Army Thomas Thornton obtained employment at the Chilwell Shell Filling Factory. He was working there on 1 July 1918 when there was a massive explosion at the factory. Thomas Thornton was amongst those badly injured and was taken to the Nottingham General Hospital but died the following day. He was buried in the Church Cemetery, Nottingham.
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