Thomas Brickley, Age 37

Sargeant, 6599, 1^st Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry.

K.S.L.I Regiment Cap Badge.

Thomas was born in 1880, at Dawley Bank; he was the son of John Brickley 1854 - 1925 of Lawley, and Mary Ann Brickley nee Dunning.

Thomas had seen previous service with the army doing 8 years with the colours including 6 years in India. He was a Moulder by occupation having worked for the Coalbrookdale Company. But a few years before his call up in 1917 he had worked as a postmaster at Titley Post Office in Herefordshire where he had settled with his wife Emma (The daughter of Mr C. Barker of Aqueduct) whom he had married in 1913 and they had two daughters, and also adopted a son. Before moving to Titley and whilst he was a resident of Lawley Bank he had held various offices in connection with the New Connexion Chapel and school.

Thomas was recalled to serve in the Army as a sergeant, and was killed 7^th July 1917 at Loos, Nord, France, during a strong enemy raid on the British Trenches after a severe bombardment lasting 15 minutes, 60 enemy troops tried to enter 'D' companies trenches, the raid was repulsed with rapid rifle fire and the use of two Lewis machine guns.

In a letter received by his widow from a Lieutenant Addy he stated that "Before the attack the enemy bombardment had caused a number of casualties, your husband being one. He was badly wounded and brought under cover with his wounds being dressed immediately, but from the beginning we could see that they were fatal and he passed away twenty minutes later without regaining consciousness”.

His only natural son was born following his death, and Emma was left a widow, with 4 small children. Emma returned to Titley Herefordshire and worked as a Postmistress to support her family. In later years the family moved to Birmingham. Their adopted son went to Birmingham University, and their youngest son also, named Thomas was a baker.

Thomas's widow Emma with her father and 3 of their children.

Thomas Brickley

Thomas lies buried at the Philosophe British cemetery
at Mazingarbe near Loo's in grave I.S.55

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Victory Medal	British War Medal	1914 Star Medal