INCE, Thomas



No.1877, Private, Thomas INCE
Aged 18


1st/5th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment
Killed in Action on Saturday, 21st August 1915


Thomas Ince was born in Wixoe (Risbridge Q3-1897 4A:775), son of William and Sarah Ann INCE (née HICKFORD).

1901 census...Aged 3, he was at High Field Hall Farm, Tilbury Juxta Clare with his father William INCE [39] farm labourer born Stoke by Clare; his mother Sarah [36] born Ashen; brothers William [7], George [5] both born Stoke by Clare, and Alfred [1] born Tilbury; sister Elizabeth HICKFORD [12] born Ashen and Julia INCE [10] born Stoke by Clare.

1911 census...Aged 18, he was at Pannels Ash, Ashen with his widowed grandmother Eleanor HICKFORD [67] born Ashen and his uncle Harold [19] cowman born Ashen. His parents were still at High Fields Hall with his sister Julia; brothers Willie, George and Alfred and now Walter [9], Charles [7] and Frederick [5] all three born in Tilbury Juxta Clare.

The pension card has his mother at The Street, Ashen.


Thomas enlisted in Clare, from his number, sometime in 1913, so presumably lied about his age. He must have joined the same time as Walter Swallow since they have consecutive Army numbers

According to Lt Col Murphy's "History of the Suffolk Regiment" the battalion were in local reserve trenches from 18th to 27th August, harassed by rifle fire and shrapnel. At least they were saved from continual movement and were able to bathe, having been previously rationed to half a pint of water per day for all purposes which had obviously ruled out washing.

According to CWGC records, of the 53 of the 5th battalion killed that day, Thomas is the only one with an identified grave. He had been in Gallipoli only 10 days.



photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission



Thomas Ince is buried in Azmak Cemetery, Suvla, Turkey, grave 1:B:19

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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