Thomas James Gent
- Family History
- Military History
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Thomas was born in 1888 in Huthwaite and was the son of William and Helen Gent of New Street Huthwaite Mansfield Nottinghamshire. He married Mabel Scothern in March 1908 at Mansfield Registration District and they went on to have a daughter Mabel born 22nd February 1910 at Huthwaite. In 1911 they lived at 11 Mill Street Sutton in Ashfield Nottinghamshire Thomas James is shown as being 23 years of age and a coal miner living with his wife Mabel and their daughter Mabel 1 year old . Following Thomas's death his widow re married in June 1918 in Mansfield Registration district to William Allsop and they lived at 30 Short Street Sutton in Ashfield.
Thomas enlisted in Sutton in Ashfield in September 1914, he stated he had been born in Huthwaite, he originally served with service number 13795 with the Leicestershire Regiment. He went out to France and the Western Front in June 1915 and transferred to the Lincolnshire Regiment where he was promoted to Corporal. He was killed on the first day of the 'Battle of the Somme' with thousands of others , his body was never recovered or identified, he has no known grave, his name is commemorated on the Thiepval memorial on the Somme.
Notts Free Press – 4th. August, 1916. SUTTON SOLDIERS’ DEATH CORPORAL T.J. GENT News has been received of the death of corporal Thomas James Gent, of 17, Mill Street who was in the 2nd. Lincolnshire Regiment. Corporal Gent who formerly worked at the New Hucknall Colliery, enlisted in September, 1914, and left for the front in June, 1915. He was 28 years of age, and leaves a wife and one child. Mrs. Gent received news of the sad loss in the following letter from the deceased’s officer :- “This letter would have been written earlier if I had not been continually moved from place to place since the sad event happened. I do not know whether you have yet been informed that your husband was killed in action near------------on July 1st. if not I am very sorry to have to convey such sad news. The only consolation that I can offer is that he fell fighting bravely for his King and country. I have heard on all sides when we were discussing the battle how well he did. Company Sergeant Major Green, 2nd. Lincolns, British Expeditionary Force, would probably be able to find out more for you if you care to write to him. I will conclude by saying what a great grief it is to me personally. Ever since I took command of the Company I have noticed and highly valued his work as N.C.O.
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