Thomas Francis Joseph Upton
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Thomas Francis Joseph was the son of Archer Mowbray and Charlotte Leybourne Upton, and the grandson of Mrs James Upton of Thurgarton Priory who donated the Thurgarton memorial. Thomas's father, Archer Mowbray, was born in 1869 (A/M/J St George Hanover Square, mother's maiden name Metcalfe), the son of James Richard and Constance Upton. His father was a solicitor. His mother Charlotte Mary Laybourne was the daughter of Susan A Leybourne and was born in Somerset in about 1869. It is probable that they were married in Genoa, Italy, in the period 1891-1895; their son Thomas Frederick James was born n 1895 (J/A/S Barton Regis Gloucestershire). It is likely that Thomas was their only child.In 1901 Archer (31) a solicitor, and Charlotte (32) were living at 6 Milton Park, Hornsey, Edmonton, Middlesex, with their son Thomas (5). Also in the household was Charlotte's widowed mother-in-law, Susan A Laybourne, who was 'living on own means'. Archer and Charlotte employed one female general servant.According to the Electoral Register for Middlesex, the family was still living at the same address the following year.Charlotte and Frederick have not yet been traced on the 1911 Census, but Archer, a solicitor, was a visitor at the Colwall Park Hotel, Colwall, near Malvern, Herefordshire. The 1914 Electoral Register for Middlesex gave Archer's address as Hanover Court, Hanover Square W. (London). According to the CWGC record, which was compiled after his son's death in 1918, he and Charlotte were living at Thurgarton Priory. However, by 1931 Archer was listed on the Electoral Register for Bath, Somerset and in 1939 at the time of the England & Wales Register recorded living at 32/33/34 Pulteney Street, Bath, and described as a retired solicitor. Thomas' mother, Charlotte, has not yet been traced after 1901 apart from the address of Thurgarton Priory on the CWGC record.Thomas married Kathleen L Sexton in 1918 (J/A/S St Martin London) just months before his death three days before the Armistice. The probate record gave his address as the Savoy Hotel, Strand, Middlesex while the later CWGC record gives his widow's address as 41, Charing Cross Mansions. London. Kathleen never remarried and died in 1956 (A/M/J Islington). The Probate record gave her address as 83 Brecknock Road, London N7.
Thomas joined the battalion in Salonika in 1916 but was serving in France by 1918.A postcard Thomas sent from Malta on 9 December 1916 to Mrs Upton at Thurgarton Priory (probably his grandmother) has been transcribed and posted on a website. The image is a view of Fort St. Angelo and the Dockyard Creek at the Grand Harbour, Valetta, and the message read ‘Arrived safely so far. Love. Thomas. Happy Xmas’ (www.thurgartonhistory.co.uk)Thomas died or was killed on 8 November 1918 and was buried in Semousies Churchyard, Nord, France (grave ref: west of church).
Personal inscription CWGC headstone: 'Ce n'est pas vous qui m'avez choisi c'est moi qui vous aii choisi' ('Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you', St John 15.16, Authorized Version)Probate: Upton Thomas Francis Joseph of Savoy Hotel Strand Middlesx captain King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry died 8 November 1918 in France. Probate London 10 September [1919] to Kathleen Louise Upton widow George Jefford Fowler solicitor and Charles Gilbert Cullis professor of economic mineralogy. Effects £6905 56s. 5d.Probate: Upton Kathleen Louise of 83 Brecknock-road London N7 widow died 17 June 1956 Probate London 18 July to Marguerite Williams single woman. Effects £1455 11s. 2d.Thomas's cousin, Thomas Richard Guy Usborne (k/a Guy), the son of his aunt, Edith Constance nee Upton and Edward Frances Usborne, joined the Royal Navy. Guy served latterly in HMCMB No. 792 and was killed on 18 August 1919 when his ship took part in the attack on the Red Fleet at Kronstadt Naval Base (Portsmouth Naval Memorial). Guy is also commemorated on the Thurgarton memorial; his parents were living at the Priory at the time of the 1911 Census.
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