Thomas Foxton Boddy
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Thomas Foxton was the son of Frederick and Ellen Boddy (née Foxton). His father Frederick was born in Kirby Wiske, Thirsk, Yorkshire North Riding, in about 1862, the son of Peter and Ann Boddy (baptismal record 'Body'). In 1871 Frederick was living in Kirby Wiske with his widowed mother who was a cow keeper. Ten years later in 1881 he was living in Grimston, Yorkshire, with William Thompson, a farm bailiff, and working as an indoor farm servant. By 1891 he was a farmer living and working with a married older brother, Peter, also a famer, at Great Habton, Malton, Yorkshire. His mother Ellen Foxton was born in Pickering, North Riding, on 1 May 1871. Frederick and Ellen were married in 1892 (A/M/J Pickering) and had eight children: Harry b. 1892 (reg. Malton) and Thomas Foxton b. Scalm Yorkshire 1894 bap. Wislow 18 November 1894, then six children who were born in Sutton cum Lound: Edith b. 1896; Jane Ann b. 1899; Emily b. 1901; Herbert b. 1903, Ernest b. 1905; Maud b. 1908 and Alfred b. 1910 (births recorded in East Retford registration district). Frederick and Ellen had moved to Nottinghamshire by December 1896 when their eldest daughter Edith was born in Sutton cum Lound, and in 1901 they were living on Mattersea Road, Sutton cum Lound. Frederick was employed as a farm foreman at Sutton Manor. He and Ellen had four children: Harry (8), Thomas (6), Edith (4) and Jane (2). Also in the home on the night of the census were Frederick's nephew, Herbert Boddy (15 b. Clayworth Notts), a carter on a farm, and a boarder, William Brown (19 b. Kirby Wiske), a waggoner on a farm. By 1911 the family was living at Manor Cottages, Sutton cum Lound. Frederick was now employed as a shepherd. Six of the eight children were in the home on the night of the census: Edith a domestic servant, Jane, Emiiy (10), Herbert (8), Ernest (6), Maud (3) and Alfred (11m). Harry was a horseman on a farm and living at Blaco Hill, Mattersey, Nottinghamshire, in the home of John Whelton, a waggoner on a farm, and his wife. Thomas was a farm servant and also living in Mattersey at Wild Goose Cottage, the home of James Gleadall, a farm bailiff, and his wife Maria. Frederick and Ellen were still living in Sutton cum Lound at the time of Thomas' death in 1916. Frederick died in 1920 and by 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled his widow Ellen was living at Bingley's Cottages, South Leverton, with her two unmarried sons, Herbert and Ernest, who were both builders' labourers. Ellen died in 1948 (J/F/M Worksop).
11th Bn Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment), formerly 10th Battalion. Thomas served in France from 29 July 1915. He was wounded at Ypres in December 1915 and was in hospital until the following May before returning to his battalion. He died on 4 July 1916 of wounds received in action and was buried at Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-L’Abbe (grave ref. I. D. 24). Thomas qualified for the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. CWGC - History of Heilly Station Cemetery (extract): 'The 36th Casualty Clearing Station was at Heilly from April 1916. It was joined in May by the 38th, and in July by the 2/2nd London, but these hospitals had all moved on by early June 1917 ... The cemetery was begun in May 1916 and was used by the three medical units until April 1917. The last burial was made in May 1919 ... The burials in this cemetery were carried out under extreme pressure and many of the graves are either too close together to be marked individually, or they contain multiple burials. Some headstones carry as many as three sets of casualty details, and in these cases, regimental badges have had to be omitted. Instead, these badges, 117 in all, have been carved on a cloister wall on the north side of the cemetery' (www.cwgc.org) As can be seen by the photograph, Thomas' grave is an individual burial.
Retford & Worksop Herald & North Notts Advertiser, 8 August 1916: ‘Died of Wounds. In the official casualty lists under the heading, ‘Died of wounds’, appears the name of Pte T Boddy, Sherwood Foresters, Retford.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Retford Times 11 Aug 1916 - 'Pte Thomas Boddy' 'Another Sutton soldier has made the great sacrifice. On July 30th Mr Fred Boddy received information from Lichfield that his son, Pte Thomas Boddy, Sherwood Foresters, died of wounds in hospital in France on July 4. The gallant soldier, who was only 21 years old, was the second son of Mr and Mrs Fred Boddy of Sutton. He joined His Majesty’s Forces soon after war broke out and after training at several stations was drafted out to France. He was wounded at Ypres and was in hospital at Boulogne from 15 December 1915 until May this year. He then went into the firing line again and was wounded in the great advance. His father has been farm foreman for Mr Adlington, Sutton Manor, for many years and his eldest brother, Harry, has been in Canada for three years. There are two younger brothers and four sisters and much sympathy is felt with the family in their sad bereavement. Pte Boddy had lived at Sutton from infancy and was educated at Sutton cum Lound Church of England School. He was a young fellow of genial disposition and had many friends. He was fond of sport, particularly football. He joined the 10th Batt. Sherwood Foresters but after being wounded last December was drafted to another battalion on his recovery.' Registers of Soldiers Effects: his mother Ellen was his sole legatee. Retford & Worksop Herald & North Notts Advertiser, 6 May 1924: ’Wedding. A wedding of local interest was solemnised by the Rev. R Peppercorn, Ranskill (in the absence of the Vicar), at the Parish Church on Wednesday last. The contracting parties were Mr H [Harry] Boddy, Sutton, and Miss F Tune, Mattersey. The bridesmaids were Miss M [Maud] Boddy and Miss M Stamp. The bride, who was given away by her father, was charmingly dressed in royal blue satin. Mr G Tune acted as best man. After the ceremony a reception was held at the bride’s home, Blaco Hill. The happy couple were the recipients of many useful presents.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Original research by Colin Dannatt
