Thomas Henry Cullen
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Thomas was born 23rd December 1897 at Austerfield, the second son of William Thomas and Adela Frost Cullen (née Hill). His father William Thomas was born in Bawtry in 1871 (A/M/J Doncaster), the son of Richard Cullen. His mother Adela Frost was born in Haxey, Lincolnshire, in 1862 (O/N/D Gainsborough, the daughter of John and Hannah Hill, and baptised at Haxey parish church on 10 January 1864. William and Adela were married at Haxey parish church on 26 March 1894 and had four children, one of whom died in infancy. Their three surviving children were: William Thomas b. Bawtry 26 January 1895; Thomas Henry b. Austerfield 23 December 1898 (reg. J/F/M Doncaster) bap. Austerfield St Helena 23 January 1898 and Adela Hill b. Austerfield 6 May 1900 bap. St Helena 14 May 1900. In 1901 William, a farmer, and his wife were living on Main Street, Austerfield, with their three children William (6), Thomas (3) and Adela (under 1 year) and Adela's widowed mother, Hannah Hill (79) who was living on her own means. Also in the household were two sixteen-year old farm servants, Harry Bennett and William Whittaker, and Helen Watts (24) a general domestic servant. The family was still living in Austerfield in 1911. William snr. was assisted on the farm by his eldest son while Thomas and Adela were both at school. Hannah Hill was also in the home along with one farm servant, Arthur Spittalhouse (16) and the domestic servant, Helen Watts, who had been with the family for over ten years. Thomas' mother, Adela, died in 1911, buried Austerfield 7 June. His father William died on 5 December 1931. The probate record gives his address as Church Farm, Finningley, Nottinghamshire; administration (with Will) was awarded to his son, William Herbert, a farmer. William Herbert was living on Station Road, Bawtry, in 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled. His occupation given as agricultural worker. Also in the home was Catherine Taylor (b. 30 January 1867) a widow, who was engaged on 'unpaid domestic duties'. William died on 28 February 1877; the probate record gives his address as 85 Station Road, Bawtry. Adela Hill married John Gray (b. 15 October 1883) in 1937 (J/F/M Kirlaugh Yorkshire). In 1939 they were living in York. John was a publishers' agent and wholesale news distributor (director) and Adela's occupation was given as unpaid domestic duties and secretary. Also in the household was Lilian Brown (b. 1909, unm. later Spiers) whose occupation was domestic duties and Herbert Rhodes (b. 1873, widowed) and a joiner and builder. Adela died on 23 November 1980 at Acomb, York.
Thomas joined the Royal Navy on 13th July 1915 as an Ordinary Seaman on a 'Hostilities Only' engagement. He came under Victory I while training, then served in HMS Hecla before being drafted to HMS Ardent (Lt Cdr Marsden) an Ancaster Class destroyer in the 4th Destroyer Flotilla (HMS Tipperary - Captain CJ Wintour). HMS Ardent was sunk at the Battle of Jutland. The Flotilla leader, HMS Tipperary, was sunk at about 11pm on the 31st, with command transferring to HMS Broke (Cdr Allen). Broke was heavily shelled by three German warships and, out of control, collided with HMS Sparrowhawk which, unable to manoeuvre, was itself cut through the stern by HMS Contest. Broke and Contest although badly damaged survived, but Sparrowhark was abandoned and sunk by her crew the following day. Command of the Flotilla fell to HMS Achetes (Cdr Hutchinson). Just after midnight the Flotilla was again engaged by German battleships and cruisers losing Porpoise severely damaged and Fortune sunk. The Flotilla, which had been so further reduced, was scattered. Ardent, separated, was again attacked by German battleships and in very little time was sunk at 12.15am on 1 June. 78 crew (4 officers and 74 ratings) died with only two survivors, one of whom was Lt Cdr Marsden. Thomas Henry's body was not recovered for burial and he is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial. HMS Ardent's wreck site is designated as a protected place under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986.
Although the village of Austerfield is in South Yorkshire it is in the diocese of Southwell and Nottingham and now part of the benifice of Bawtry St Nicholas. WMA 28062: Bawtry St Nicholas - Thomas Henry Cullen Royal Navy 31 May 1916 A B Thomas Henry Cullen Retford Times 16 June 1916 'The above is a reproduction of a photograph of A B Thomas Henry Cullen, the youngest son of Mr William Thomas Cullen of Austerfield, a member of the Doncaster Rural District Council. The deceased whose death was notified to his parents on Wednesday last, was a bright and cheery youth over whose head, barely 19 summers had passed. He joined the Navy about 12 months ago and went to Portsmouth for the necessary training. He made such rapid progress that he was passed out to Whale Island for gunnery in six weeks instead of remaining the usual time – 3 months. He was sent on to the Diadem, then transferred to the Hecler [Hecla] at Scaba Hoe [Scapa Floe]. His next move was to the Ardent; a torpedo destroyer, on which ship he remained for six months. Amongst the many gallant sailors who earned imperishable renown in that glorious but terrible battle of May 31st 1916 was the subject of this brief notice. He loved his ship and his work and had a brilliant and short career. With his shipmates he was highly respected and greatly beloved for his unfailing good nature and cheerfulness. Previous to joining the Navy he was employed for two years as a clerk in the Doncaster goods office under the supervision of Mr A G Beverley, Goods Agent, GNER, who, as well as his office mates were sorry to lose him though proud of him volunteering in the early stages of the war. His loss is a terrible blow to the family, there being only one consolation to the stricken hearts, and that is the knowledge that he died one of the noblest deaths that a man could wish for – fighting for his King and the freedom of his country and the vindication of that country’s honour. Of him, as of many hundreds of heroic souls it may be said:-‘ Now his arisen spirit, from earthly care set free, In the Great Beyond rejoices, In perfect liberty’. He only rejoined his ship on May 10th after 10 days leave of absence. Amongst his last acts was persuading his sister to apply for clerk’s duty on the railway to liberate some man for military service. This she did, and in doing so is doing “her bit” for her country.'
