Thomas Teece, Age 19

Private, 12866, 5th Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry.

K.S.L.I Regiment Cap Badge.

Thomas came from Dawley and was residing at 5 Stone Row with his parents and brother at the outbreak of war.

His father also Thomas served with the Royal Army Medical Corp during the war and his younger brother Samuel enlisted into the 1/4th KSLI. Thomas was serving with his battalion in the Ypres salient when on the 23/24th September the battalion was moved forward to trenches at Railway Wood in preparation of an attack on the German positions.

The German front was bombarded on the 24th September at 3.50 am until 4.20 am and on the next morning (the 25th) at the same time, 3.50 am, the British artillery opened up again on the German front lines only this time the 5th KSLI went “over the Top” at 4.20 am with ’A’ & ’D’ companies with half of ’B’ company leading the assault, The other half of ’B’ company along with ’C’ company were in support. The 5th KSLI managed to take their objectives, but the battalions on either side of them were pushed back after the Germans had counter attacked with fresh troops, this caused the KSLI’s position to become untenable and at 8.15 am the battalion retired back to their old front line trenches.

Thomas was killed during this action on the 25th September 1915 and his name is on the Menin Gate Panels 47 - 49 as his body was never found.

His name on the Menin Gate

WWI Medal Rolls Index Card

Commonwealth War Graves
Commemorated Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial

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Victory Medal	British War Medal	1914-15 Star Medal