Thomas Manuell

Thomas attested and took his medical on 11th December 1915 at Retford, he gave his age as 28 years and 11 months , his occupation as that of gardener , his religion as Church of England and his next of kin as his father Joseph of East Markham. On 12th December he was posted to the reserves. On 29th March 1916 he was mobilised and posted to the 7th battalion West Riding Regiment and underwent his training . On 3rd October he embarked at Folkstone for the short trip to Boulogne where he arrived on 4th October and from there went to the 34th Infantry base at Etaples. On 16th October he was posted to the 10th battalion of the West Riding regiment. He was killed in action on 20th September 1917. he has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Tyne Cot memorial.

Private Thomas Manuel Retford Times 9th September 1917 Memorial Service On Sunday afternoon at East Markham Church, the Vicar held a memorial service in honour of three Markham lads who have fallen in France - Pte Thomas Manuel West Riding Regiment, Sapper G C Hempsall. R.E and Pte S Coppen, Notts and Derbys. The name of Major Norton Harper a close friend of the Vicar , was included in the service, which was attended by a large number of relatives, friends and parishioners. The hymns " Brief life is here our portion " " Now the labourer's task is o'er" and Nearer my God to Thee" were sung , and the Vicar in his address , spoke of the noble and fearless way the boys had responded to the nations call from this parish. Those whom they honoured that day had been added to the list of fallen heroes, having made the supreme sacrifice for their country's sake. At the close of the service the " Dead march " in "Saul" was played by the organist.