CALVER, Thomas Edward


No.26347, Private, Thomas Edward CALVER
Aged 26


Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
formerly 16319, Kings Royal Rifle Corps
Died from Illness on 7th November 1918


Thomas Edward Calver was born in Ixworth on 29th December 1892 (1st qtr 1893 Thingoe 4a:788) son of Thomas and Eliza CALVER (née PAYNE). On 21st October 1902 Thomas, Arthur and Emma were admitted to Stanton School

1901 census...Aged 8, he was at Wyken Lodge, Bardwell with his father Thomas CALVER [37] farm labourer born Honington; his mother Eliza [37] born Ixworth; brothers Robert [16] and Sidney [13] both farm labourers born Ixworth, Harry [10] born Ixworth, Arthur [9] born Fakenham; sisters Florrie [11] born Ixworth, Emma [6] born Bardwell, Lily [4] born Honnington, Bessie [3] and Alice [1] both born Bardwell.

1911 census...Aged 18, farm labourer, he was boarding with Frederick and Eliza ROGERS at The Fen, Grimstone End, Pakenham. His parents were at Hungry Hall, Ixworth with his brothers Arthur and Percy; sisters Bessie, Alice, Winifred [8] born Stanton, niece Florence [4] born in Stanton. His mother had died in 1904 and in 1906 father married Anna TIPPLE [62] born Stanton.

On a pension card he is entered together with Albert STEGGLES with mother Margaret STEGGLES of 5 Noble Street, Great Horton, Bradford. CWGC have his father at Brewster's Farm, Ixworth. A puzzle yet to be solved



He attested on 4 November 1915 at Bradford, initially 16319, Kings Royal Rifle Corps, but moved to Machine Gun Corps. He gave his age as 22 years 311 days, an assistant shunter of 3 Lucy Street, Princethorpe, Warwick. He was 5 feet 6.5 inches tall, weighed 140 lbs, chest 35 to 37.5 inches.
He went to BEF via Folkestone-Boulogne on 17th July 1916, joined base depot at Camiers on 18th. He transferred from 5 Coy to 99th Coy on 14 August 1916. In June 1917 he had several trips to hospital in France
Army form 5080 has mother dead, father at Hill House, Pakenham, brothers Harry [35] Stanton Ixworth, Arthur [25] in London and Percy [18] in Pakenham; his sisters Emily [24], Lily [22] and Bessie [20] were all in London.

He was home on 14 days leave and was admitted to Bradford War Hospital on 2nd November and died there on 7th from influenza and pneumonia and died in Bradford War Hospital
His documents are badly burnt, this is all that is clear. His medal card could not be found on Ancestry but National Archives have it.



photo CWGC

Thomas Calver is buried in Bradford (Scholemoor) Cemetery screen wall 3:C:2085
and also commemorated at Pakenham.

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


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