Pte
Thomas Notman
Information about birth
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Year of birth: 1884 |
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Place of birth: Carlisle, Cumberland, England, United Kingdom |
General information
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Last known residence: 3 Lamplugh Street, Carlisle, Cumberland, England, United Kingdom |
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Profession: Carter |
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: 21777 |
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Enlistment date: 26/05/1915 |
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Enlistment place: Carlisle, Cumberland, England, United Kingdom |
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Units: — Border Regiment, 6th Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 04/10/1917 |
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Place of death: Pheasant Farm, Poelcapelle, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 33 |
Cemetery
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Poelcapelle British Cemetery Plot: XLV. Row: D Grave: 16 |
Distinctions and medals 3
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1914-15 Star Medal |
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 4
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Last known residence | ||
| #3 | Enlistment place | ||
| #4 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Thomas Notman was the son of Irving and Elizabeth Notman. He was born around 1884 in Carlisle, Cumberland, UK. He continued to live at his birthplace and initially worked as a metal worker. Later, Thomas went to work as a carter. He enlisted in the British Army and joined the 6th Battalion Border Regiment (33rd Brigade, 11th Division).
Thomas was killed on 4 October 1917 during the Battle of Broodseinde, part of the Battle of Passchendaele. During that attack, the battalion served as reserve troops for the 7th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment and 9th Battalion Sherwood Foresters. Two companies from 6th Battalion Border Regiment initially dug in between Steenbeek and the Langemarck-Winnipeg Road. Two other companies of the battalion were in the vicinity of Varna Farm. The aim of the attack was first to take the line between Ferdan Farm and Terrier Farm and then also the line between String Houses, Brewery and Meunier House. At 6am, the 7th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment and 9th Battalion Sherwood Foresters attacked. Around 7am, the 6th Battalion Border Regiment advanced. Two companies dug in some 150 yards beyond Pheasant Farm, while two other companies of the battalion dug in behind Pheasant Farm. However, those positions were heavily shelled, causing a lot of casualties. The balajon was eventually ordered to advance by the 7th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment and 9th Battalion Sherwood Foresters and take the line String Houses, Brewery and Meunier House. However, before that action started, it became clear that the 4th Division, which was on the left of the 11th Division, had fallen back some 500 yards, so the 6th Battalion Border Regiment's action was called off.
The 6th Battalion Border Regiment would eventually lose 174 men in the month of October: 37 died, 136 were wounded and 1 went missing. Among those 37 killed was 33-year-old Thomas Notman. His body was recovered near Pheasant Farm. He was buried at Poelcapelle British Cemetery (plot XL, row D, grave 16).
Thomas was killed on 4 October 1917 during the Battle of Broodseinde, part of the Battle of Passchendaele. During that attack, the battalion served as reserve troops for the 7th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment and 9th Battalion Sherwood Foresters. Two companies from 6th Battalion Border Regiment initially dug in between Steenbeek and the Langemarck-Winnipeg Road. Two other companies of the battalion were in the vicinity of Varna Farm. The aim of the attack was first to take the line between Ferdan Farm and Terrier Farm and then also the line between String Houses, Brewery and Meunier House. At 6am, the 7th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment and 9th Battalion Sherwood Foresters attacked. Around 7am, the 6th Battalion Border Regiment advanced. Two companies dug in some 150 yards beyond Pheasant Farm, while two other companies of the battalion dug in behind Pheasant Farm. However, those positions were heavily shelled, causing a lot of casualties. The balajon was eventually ordered to advance by the 7th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment and 9th Battalion Sherwood Foresters and take the line String Houses, Brewery and Meunier House. However, before that action started, it became clear that the 4th Division, which was on the left of the 11th Division, had fallen back some 500 yards, so the 6th Battalion Border Regiment's action was called off.
The 6th Battalion Border Regiment would eventually lose 174 men in the month of October: 37 died, 136 were wounded and 1 went missing. Among those 37 killed was 33-year-old Thomas Notman. His body was recovered near Pheasant Farm. He was buried at Poelcapelle British Cemetery (plot XL, row D, grave 16).
Sources 10
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6 Battalion Border Regiment, (The National Archives, KEW (TNA), WO 95/1817/1). https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk Sources used |
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British Army World War I Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920 (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), WO 372). https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used |
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British Army World War I Service Medal and Awards Rolls, 1914-1920 (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), WBO 329). https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used |
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Census Returns of England and Wales, 1891 (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), RG12). https://nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used |
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Census Returns of England and Wales, 1901 (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), RG13). https://nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used |
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Census Returns of England and Wales, 1911 (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), RG14). https://nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used |
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McCarthy, Chris. Passchendaele: The Day by Day Account (Londen: Arms & Armour Press, 1995), 114-115. Sources used |
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Soldiers Effects Records (National Army Museum, Chelsea (NAM) 1901-60; NAM Accesion Number: 1991-02-333). https://wwwnam.ac.uk/ Sources used |
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War Office: Soldier's Documents (The National Archives, Kew (TNA) WO363). https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used |
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Wylly, H.C. The Border Regiment in the Great War (Aldershot: Gale & Polden, 1924), 151-153. 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/491927 |
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Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=66955722-3d83-4354-a6ed-2f6153bf680f |
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Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/3289131 |