Thomas Allington
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Thomas was the son of Thomas Allington and his wife Fanny nee Shawcroft. His father was born in West Bromwich, Staffordshire, in about 1872, the son of William and Angeline Allington. The family was living in Bulwell in 1891 when Thomas was 19 years old. His mother was born on Green Hill Lane, Derby, on 24 June 1875. Thomas and Fanny were married in 1894 (A/M/J Basford) and had four children: Thomas birth registered 1895 (J/F/M Basford), Ernest b. 17 October 1896 (O/N/D Basford), Archie b. 25 March 1899 (J/F/M Basford) and Elsie b. 9 January 1902 (J/F/M Nottingham). All the children were born in Bulwell. In 1901 Thomas (28), a coal miner, and Fanny (25) were living at 3 Chatham Terrace/Street, Bulwell with their three children, Thomas (6), Ernest (4) and Archie (2). Also in the household was Thomas' sister, Angela Allington (20, b. Birchmoor Warwick), a blouse machinist. By 1911 the family had moved to 12 York Cottages, Bulwell. In the home on the night of the census was Thomas (38) who was still working as a miner, Fanny (35), Thomas (16) a pit pony driver, Ernest (14) an errand boy, and Archie (12) and Elsie (9) who were still at school. His father Thomas, a stallman at Bulwell Colliery (Babbington Coal Company), suffered a serious accident at the colliery on 1 July 1915: 'Drawing timber in waste with a hammer when prop came out and stone fell striking him'. Thomas died of his injuries four days later on 5 July; he was 43 years old. Thomas died of wounds on 23 August 1916, just over a year after his father's death. Thomas was engaged to Lizzie at the time of his death. His mother Fanny died in 1940 (Sep Nottingham) aged 66. Of Thomas' siblings: Ernest also served in the war, probably initially in the Leicester Regiment (48403 Private) and then the Suffolk Regiment (1st Camb. R), 42965 Private, qualifying for the British War Medal and Victory Medal. In August 1918 he was serving in France. Ernest married Edith Worley (b. 1897) in 1920 (A/M/J Nottingham). At the time of the national register in 1939 they were probably still living in Bulwell; Ernest was working as a coal miner hewer and Edith was a housewife. Living at home was their unmarried daughter Lilian Allington (b. 3 August 1922, d. 1967 Dec Nottingham aged 45) who was a machinist. Ernest died on 22 July 1955, his address was then 5 Ragdale Road, Bulwell. Edith survived him, dying in 1975 (Sep Basford) age 77. Archie married Grace Elizabeth Tomlinson (b. 5 December 1898) in 1922 (A/M/J Nottingham). In 1939 at the time of the national register they were still in Nottingham. Archie was working as a colliery hewer while Grace was a housewife. Their unmarried son, Thomas (b. 23 October 1922), a colliery haulage worker underground, was living at home. Archie died in 1962 (Dec Nottingham) aged 63. Grace died on 20 March 1973 aged 74. Elsie married William Fletcher Brown (b. 11 May 1901) in 1924 (O/N/D Nottingham). At the time of the national register in 1939 they were living at 101 Cator Lane, Chilwell. William was a maintenance joiner and Elsie was a housewife. Also in the household was their son Robert B (b. 24 November 1935, d. 1999 Sep Lincoln) and Elsie's mother, Fanny Allington. Elsie died on 11 July 1963 aged 61; the family home was still at 101 Cator Lane. Her husband survived her.
Sgt. Thomas Allington, “A” Battery, 152nd Brigade Royal Field Artillery, died of wounds on 23rd August 1916. He is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery (grave reference 9.F.12). He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
CWGC: personal inscription on headstone, ‘Silent sorrow everlasting love mother sister & brothers.’ Inscription on headstone, Northern Cemetery, Bulwell, Nottingham: 'In loving memory of Thomas the beloved husband of Fanny Millington who died July 5th 1915 aged 43 years. When the day breaks. Also to the glorious memory of Sergt. Major Thomas Millington son of the above who lies ‘somewhere in France’. Died of wounds Aug, 23rd 1916, aged 21 years. A good son. A true soldier. Also the above Fanny Millington who died July 30th 1940 aged 66 years. Reunited.' Nottingham Evening Post, 10 March 1916: ‘Men of Nottingham Battery write home. From a batch of khaki postcards sent by recipients of parcels despatched as the sequel to the recent Jumble sale, we quote some interesting observations. Al the men are in the 152nd RFA which was raised in Nottingham … Sgt. T Allington adds:- ‘Please accept my very best thanks for cigarettes received yesterday, March 5th. I assure you they were greatly appreciated by the gun detachment.’’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Thomas' legatees were his mother Fanny (who received a payment for herself and Elsie, who would still have been a dependent child), and his brothers Ernest and Archie. 'In memoriam' notice published 23rd August 1917 in the Nottingham Evening Post : - “ALLINGTON. – In loving memory of Sgt. Thomas Allington, who died August 23rd, 1916, from wounds received in action. To forget him is vain endeavour, loving memories cling for ever. – His loving fiancée Lizzie.” Above is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 23 August 1918: ‘Allington. In loving memory of Sergt. Major Thomas Allington who died of wounds August 23rd 1818. He passed away in early life, always kind and true, a credit to those he left behind and loved by all he knew. From his loving mother, sister, brothers (Ernest in France) Aunt Hannah.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 23 August 1918: ‘Allington. In loving memory of Thomas Alington who died July 5th 1915, by accident received in pit. Too dearly loved to be forgotten. Loving wife, daughter, and sons, sister Hannah.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Probate: Allington Ernest of 5 Ragdale-road Bulwell Nottingham died 22 July 1955 at 121 Highbury-road Nottingham Probate Nottingham 22 August to Edith Allington widow. Effects £2202 10s. 6d. Probate: Brown Elsie of 101 Cator Lane Chilwell Nottinghamshire (wife of William Fletcher Brown) died 11 July 1963 at the General Hospital Nottingham Administration Nottingham 30 September to the said William Fletcher Brown joiner. Effects £907 1s. 6d.
