No.527933, Pioneer, Thomas MORRELL
Aged 21
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Thomas Morrell was born in Tottenham (Edmonton Q1-1896 3A:3649), son of John and Rose Eleanor MORRELL(née CHAPPLE).
1901 census...Aged 5, he was at 66 Russell Road,Tottenham with his father John MORRELL [40] horsekeeper born Ware, Herts; his mother Rose [27] born Ware. 1911 census...Aged 15, He was at The Montford Arms, Horseheath, working at home, with his parents (father a publican) and brother Cecil Charles [under 3 months] born Horseheath |
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He enlisted in Cambridge on 16th November 1915 ,# 4428, 3rd/1st Cambridgeshire Regiment. He was from The Montford Arms, Horseheath, giving his age as 19 years
10 months, 5 feet 3 inches (160cm)tall, chest 32" to 34.5" (81.3 to 87.6 cm). Father John Morrell.
The Army then seemed to play "pass the parcel" with him, on 9th Decemeber 1916 he left Folkestone for Boulogne and found himself in the 2nd Entrenching Battlion, then on 26th April was transferred to the 1st/4th Suffolk Regiment joining "A" Coy on 8th May, before being moved on to Transport Troops Depot on 21st May and to the Royal Engineers as Pioneer on 1st June 1917, by now with a new number of 5278933. Now in the 13th Railway Transport Section, he was admitted to hospital in Rouen on 5th July with scabies but returned to duty on 10th. Wounded by shrapnel in right elbow he was admitted to No.10 C.C.S. at Remy Siding (adjacent to the current CWGC Cemetery at Lijssenthoek) and died there of his wounds on 26th September 1917. One document refers to his pay book which showed him as 326748 4th Suffolk, 2nd/1st Cambs and from 1/6/17 527933 Royal Engineers. His personal belongings, sent to his father at Narcissi Villa, 52 Springfield Road, Tottenham, were :- Photos, pipe, 2 religious books, watch and cap badge. On the "Living Relatives" form on 6th Nov. 1919 there were his parents and brother Cecil Charles [8 yrs 10 months] at 52 Springfield Rd. Tottenham.
photo: Rodney Gibson click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
