Thomas William Cudworth
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Thomas William Cudworth was baptised on 22nd July 1891 at St Mary's, Ilkeston, he was the son of William a coal miner hewer and Eliza Ann Cudowrth née Morley of 18 Sandy Lane, Mansfield. William was born in 1870 at Hucknall under Huthwaite, Eliza Ann Morley was born in 1872 at Burton Joyce, they were married in 1891 and went on to have 12 children, sadly 3 died in infancy or early childhood. In 1911 the family were living at 18 Sandy Lane, Mansfield, William is 41 yrs and a coal miner hewer, he is living with his wife Eliza Ann 39 yrs and their children , including Thomas 19 yrs a coal miner loader and Samuel 15 yrs a coal miner pony driver. Thomas William married Ann Eliza Kirk (born 25th March 1884) on 26th February 1913 their daughter, Irene was born in 1913. They lived at 113 New Gladstone Street, Mansfield.
Enlisted, with his younger brother, Samuel, at the onset of the war. On 16/09/1914 they transferred to the RMLI, embarking for Gallipoli on 17/11/1914. They landed on 28/02/1915 and was killed, gunshot wound to the head, on 30/05/1915. Samuel died less than 3 weeks later of typhoid fever.
Mansfield Chronicle Advertiser. 08/07/1915: Photograph printed. Also letters from Mrs Squires to the boy's mother. Tom and Sam were billeted with Mrs Squire when they were doing their training. 'Please do not grieve too much over the loss of your dear boys, Sam and Tom. Tom did a glorious work before he was called away. With another old soldier, he climbed to the top of a precipice and hauled men up. Frank, his chum, said would have had the Victoria Cross if he had been spared. You must not forget they both died doing their duty. Tell Winnie and Tom's wife, not to grieve, for they are gone to a better land. Try and bear up under your heavy burden.' Cudworth was one of 'Kitchener's Marines' who were transferred from the Sherwood Foresters to the RMLI. Des Turner notes '600 RMLI transfers came from 2 regiments - 200 from the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (KOYLI) and 400 from the Sherwood Foresters. They were predominantly ex-miners and labourers, fit men wanted for their ability to dig trenches and tunnels. The 200 KOYLI recruits were transferred to Plymouth Division RMLI and were given service numbers PLY/1(S) to PLY200(S). This was also the case for the Sherwood Foresters 200 who were dispatched to Portsmouth where already 30 men were recruited and so they became PO/31(S) to PO/230(S). 200 remaining Foresters went to Chatham and were numbered CH/1 to CH/200(S).'
