Private Thomas Henry Wall

260645, 7th Battalion West. and Cumb. Yeomanry, Border Regiment

Born 24th May 1893 Glenridding.  Died 17th April 1918 Aged 24 in Glasgow.

Son of Henry & Ann Tuer Wall, of Scarfoot & Place Fell Cottage, Patterdale

Thomas Henry Wall was born on the 24th May 1893 in Glenridding, and baptised at the Methodist Chapel there in June. His father Henry was a miner at Greenside, having started there in 1891, following in the footsteps of his father (also Henry) who had moved from Rookhope in Durham with many other families (including the Readshaws) to work at Greenside. Thomas attended Patterdale School and was a choir boy at Patterdale Church. His father died in 1902 aged just 38, and by 1911 Thomas’ mother and younger brother John were living in Place Fell Cottage. We’re not sure what Thomas did before the war but we know he was a member of the Oddfellows Lodge and as a member of the Westmorland and Cumberland Yeomanry he would have enlisted soon after war broke out.

He served with the Yeomanry which then became the 7th Battalion of the Border Regiment. He was severely wounded in the March 1918 German Spring Offensive. He was transferred to No.4 Military Hospital, Stobhill, Glasgow but tragically as he was returning from France he contracted a severe cold, and double pneumonia ensued.  His mother Ann was notified and made the journey to Glasgow to be at his bedside. He died on Wednesday 17th April 1918 aged 24. He was buried with full military honours in Patterdale Churchyard on the 20th April. His gravestone can still be seen not far from that of his father Henry and grandparents Henry and Susannah.

Thomas is commemorated on the Patterdale War memorial and the Glenridding Village Hall Roll of Honour.  Thomas’ mother Ann continued to live in Patterdale until her death in July 1950 aged 80 (while living at 1 Oakbank). We know his younger brother John lived with his mother at Scarfoot at least until 1939. His younger sister Cecily married Thomas Pears from Crookabeck on 26th Jan 1919, and continued to live in Patterdale until her death in May 1951 whilst living at Rooking Cottages. We are unsure what became of  his younger sister Charlotte. His elder sister Clara married Thomas Thompson, and died at just 33 in 1923. Thomas also served with distinction in the First World War in the Border Regiment, and was injured, being awarded the Silver War Badge. Tragically their only son Henry Wall Thompson, died in the Second World War. He was buried next to his Uncle in St Patrick’s Church, presumably watched by poor Ann, who had lost both her son and grandson to the Wars. If you know anything about them please let us know.

Thomas’s Funeral reported in the Cumberland & Westmorland Herald  27th April 1918

Thomas’s Father and Grandparents’ Gravestone in Patterdale

Thomas’s Gravestone in Patterdale

Thomas’s Mother’s grave in Patterdale Churchyard

Thomas’s Medal Index Card above and below his entry in the Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects showing he left his pay and pension to his brother, sisters and his mother.