Pte
Thomas Cyril Madelin
Information about birth
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Year of birth: 1891 |
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Place of birth: Rugby, Warwickshire, England, United Kingdom |
General information
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Profession: Railway Clerk |
Army information
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Country: England, United Kingdom |
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Force: British Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Private |
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Service number: 18682 |
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Enlistment date: 1914 |
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Enlistment place: Market Harborough, Leicestershire, England, United Kingdom |
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Units: — Northamptonshire Regiment, 2nd Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 16/08/1917 |
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Place of death: Westhoek, Zonnebeke, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 26 |
Memorial
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Tyne Cot Memorial Panel: 104 |
Distinctions and medals 3
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1914-15 Star Medal — 04/02/1920 |
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British War Medal Medal — 14/04/1920 |
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Victory Medal Medal — 14/04/1920 |
Points of interest 3
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Enlistment place | ||
| #3 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Private Thomas Cyril Madelin served in the Northamptonshire Regiment, 2nd Battalion, part of the 24th Brigade of the 8th Division. On August 16, the 2nd Battalion took part in the Battle of Langemarck, a phase of the Thirth Battle of Ypres.
As part of the 24th Brigade, they were held back as divisional reserve during the attack. Their objective was to follow behind the advancing 23th and 25th Brigades and to defend the Westhoek Ridge. The 2nd Battalion was at the disposal of the 25th Brigade. During the night of August 15 and August 16 the 2nd Northamptonshire took position on Bellewaerde Ridge. After the 23th and 25th Brigades reached their objectives, “C” and “D” companies of the 2nd Northamptonshire were called in to battle. They took up positions at Jaffa Trench in Westhoek. In the afternoon, when “C” and “D” companies were getting ready to move forward, they were hit by a heavy barrage. Because of this, they had to advance. They fought their way through with the bayonet, together with the remnants of the 25th Brigade. The rest of the 2nd Battalion took over the former position of “C” and “D” companies. In the evening , the 2nd took the line west of the hamlet of Westhoek. After a few weak German counterattacks, the front remained calm until relief in the night of August 19 and August 20.
Private Thomas Cyril Madelin was killed in action on the 16th of August 1917. He probably fell during the advance from Jaffa Trench. According to a post card sent to the relatives of private Madelin, he was buried by troops of the Durham Light Infantry on August 17 in the area that was taken over by the Northamptonshire Regiment 2nd Battalion, just east of Westhoek. Unfortunately, his grave got lost due to further fighting. His name is on the Tyne Cot Memorial.
As part of the 24th Brigade, they were held back as divisional reserve during the attack. Their objective was to follow behind the advancing 23th and 25th Brigades and to defend the Westhoek Ridge. The 2nd Battalion was at the disposal of the 25th Brigade. During the night of August 15 and August 16 the 2nd Northamptonshire took position on Bellewaerde Ridge. After the 23th and 25th Brigades reached their objectives, “C” and “D” companies of the 2nd Northamptonshire were called in to battle. They took up positions at Jaffa Trench in Westhoek. In the afternoon, when “C” and “D” companies were getting ready to move forward, they were hit by a heavy barrage. Because of this, they had to advance. They fought their way through with the bayonet, together with the remnants of the 25th Brigade. The rest of the 2nd Battalion took over the former position of “C” and “D” companies. In the evening , the 2nd took the line west of the hamlet of Westhoek. After a few weak German counterattacks, the front remained calm until relief in the night of August 19 and August 20.
Private Thomas Cyril Madelin was killed in action on the 16th of August 1917. He probably fell during the advance from Jaffa Trench. According to a post card sent to the relatives of private Madelin, he was buried by troops of the Durham Light Infantry on August 17 in the area that was taken over by the Northamptonshire Regiment 2nd Battalion, just east of Westhoek. Unfortunately, his grave got lost due to further fighting. His name is on the Tyne Cot Memorial.
Sources 3
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24 Infantry Brigade: 2 Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment. (The National Archives, KEW (TNA), WO 95/1722/3). https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14303 Further reference |
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McCarthy C., The Third Ypres Passchendaele. The Day-by-Day Account, (London, Arms & Armour Press, 1995), pg. 46-49. Sources used |
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Regimental History Committee, The Northamptonshire Regiment, 1914-1918, (Aldershot, Gale & Polden, s.d. 1932), pg. 221-224. Sources used |
More information 3
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/1634202 |
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Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=0e2bfb8d-754f-4c84-8d2d-d7b08adccf2e |
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Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/2875340 |