Thomas Spouge
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
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Thomas Spouge was born in 1898 at Leicester and was the son of William Henry a grease refiner in the glue and soap manufacturer and Eliza Ann Sponge née Northgate of 45 Byron Street, Daybrook. His father William Henry was born in 1853 at Nottingham, he died in 1916 aged 63 yrs, his mother Eliza Ann Northgate was born in 1860 at Arnold she died in 1919 aged 59 yrs, they were married in 1880 their marriage was recorded in the Basford registration district, they had the following children, Mabel Elizabeth b1884 Nottingham, William Henry b1887 Radford, Florence Anne b1894 Radford and Thomas b1898. In 1911 census the family lived at 45 Byron Street Daybrook Nottingham and were shown as William Henry Spouge 58 yrs a grease refiner, he is living with his wife Eliza Ann 51 yrs and their children, William Henry 24 yrs a soap maker, Florence Anne 17 yrs a hosiery seamer and Thomas 13 yrs an errand boy.
Private Thomas Spouge served as Thomas Sponge , in August 1916, he enlisted into the Royal Field Artillery but in December he was transferred to the 18th battalion Lancashire Fusiliers being aged 19 years at this time. He was sent to the Western Front in January 1917, and was twice recognised for his bravery, coolness and efficiency. In one of the bombing expeditions for which he had volunteered, the platoon were all blown to pieces with the exception of himself. He was asked if he could lead another company to the objective and he again volunteered, this time his platoon were successful and completed their bombing work. On the 22nd October 1917, they were in the Ypres Salient to the north east of the town on the plateau which leads up towards the Passchendaele Ridge. The battalion were being relieved and were in the process of coming out of the line when a sniper unhappily found a target for his rifle and Thomas was shot through the temple. It was his last day in the trenches prior to a well earned leave in which he was due to visit his home at Daybrook. Sadly, it was his friend Private Cawthorne (who lived on Edwin Street) and who had served with Thomas for some time, who called to see his parents at Byron Street to tell them of the sacrifice Thomas had made. His name is commemorated on the Tyne Cot memorial, Belgium.
Id confirmed by Soldiers' Died Register (mother's name)
