Cpl
Thomas William Belton
Information about birth
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Year of birth: 1892 |
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Place of birth: Barwell, Leicestershire, England, United Kingdom |
General information
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Profession: Gardener |
Army information
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Country: England, United Kingdom |
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Force: British Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Corporal |
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Service number: 16134 |
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Enlistment place: Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England, United Kingdom |
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Units: — King's Shropshire Light Infantry, 5th Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 22/08/1917 |
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Place of death: Glencorse Wood, Zonnebeke, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 25 |
Memorial
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Tyne Cot Memorial Panel: 112 |
Distinctions and medals 3
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1914-15 Star Medal |
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British War Medal Medal — 07/09/1920 |
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Victory Medal Medal — 07/09/1920 |
Points of interest 2
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Corporal Thomas William Belton, a 25-year-old gardener born in Barwell, Leicestershire was killed in action on 22nd August 1917. He served with the 5th Bn. King’s Shropshire Light Infantry (42nd Brigade, 14th Division), during the Battle of Passchendaele.
The 5th Bn. King’s Shropshire Light Infantry were involved in an attack on 22nd August in the area around Glencorse Wood. The attack was a joint offensive with the 43rd Brigade. The attack began at Zero hour (7 A.M) from Jargon Trench into Glencorse Wood with the objective of capturing the Green Line, a line of German positions that ran through Glencorse Wood.
The 5th Bn. came up against heavy opposition from German machine guns, especially on the right flank where all of the officers became casualties. Notwithstanding the persistent resistance, all objectives were captured. By 12.48 P.M a connection had been made with the 43rd Brigade, but a quarter of the 5th Bn. were now casualties. There were 20 soldiers reported killed and a further 12 were reported missing.
Corporal Thomas William Belton, 25, possibly fell during the attack on Glencorse Wood, leaving behind his young wife, Maggie. Thomas’ remains were never identified and he is remembered on the Tyne Cot memorial to the missing.
The 5th Bn. King’s Shropshire Light Infantry were involved in an attack on 22nd August in the area around Glencorse Wood. The attack was a joint offensive with the 43rd Brigade. The attack began at Zero hour (7 A.M) from Jargon Trench into Glencorse Wood with the objective of capturing the Green Line, a line of German positions that ran through Glencorse Wood.
The 5th Bn. came up against heavy opposition from German machine guns, especially on the right flank where all of the officers became casualties. Notwithstanding the persistent resistance, all objectives were captured. By 12.48 P.M a connection had been made with the 43rd Brigade, but a quarter of the 5th Bn. were now casualties. There were 20 soldiers reported killed and a further 12 were reported missing.
Corporal Thomas William Belton, 25, possibly fell during the attack on Glencorse Wood, leaving behind his young wife, Maggie. Thomas’ remains were never identified and he is remembered on the Tyne Cot memorial to the missing.
Sources 4
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Ancestry https://www.ancestry.com/ Further reference |
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CWGC https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/844674/belton,-thomas-william/ Sources used |
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The Long, Long Trail https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/ Sources used |
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War Diary King's Shropshire Light Infantry, 5th Bn. http://www.nmarchive.com/ Further reference |