Commemorated: | |||
| 1. Grave: | Vieille-Chapelle New Military Cemetery | IX.E.18 Lacouture | |
| 2. Book: | The (1921) Masonic Roll of Honour 1914-1918 | Pg.126 | |
| 3. Memorial: | The (1940) Scroll - WW1 Roll of Honour | 10B GQS | |
Awards & Titles: | |||
Family :
Son of Peter and Sarah Jane Howarth, born in Stafford 14th September 1883 and baptised on 1st October at Christ Church, Stafford. In 1911, living with Family at the Leek Coffee Tavern, Leek, Stafford. One step daughter Dorothy Boddington (b.1898) and Fanny (b.1911).Service Life:
Campaigns:
- The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.
| Unit / Ship / Est.: 1/The King's (Liverpool Regiment) |
1st Battalion August 1914 : in Aldershot. Part of 6th Brigade, 2nd Division. Landed at Le Havre 13 August 1914 |
| Action : The Battle of Neuve Chapelle and subsidiary actions |
Following a winter in the trenches the BEF was prepared to take the offensive against the Germans. The location was Neuve Chapelle, a small village in the front line below Aubers Ridge near Lille. Aubers Ridge was a low but significant hill and the intention at Neuve Chappell was to punch through the German front line, occupy the ridge and exploit with cavalry. It was a battle fought by two Corps of the BEF, the Indian Corps and IV Corps both largely consisting of regular battalions. It was to be preceded by the most violent artillery barrage of the war to date. Unfortunately in what was to be the start of the 'learning curve' for the BEF the artillery barrage, whilst violent, failed in some parts ? a failure that was to be costly and which delayed the assault and allowed the Germans to recover. Whilst the men were exceptionally brave they became bogged down as German machine guns and artillery stopped the momentum of the assault and by the end of the first day (10th March 1915) they were digging in. The following day the assault was repeated with fresh battalions but with no success. By the 12th March the Germans had recovered their poise, had brought in reserves and were ready to counter attack.
Neuve Chapelle (10-12 March 1915) was the first planned offensive battle by the BEF in France and achieved limited tactical success but not the expected breakthrough. It highlighted the problem of delay in execution that allowed the defending Germans to regroup, often consequent on small incidents and errors. Having stabilised the situation following the German sweep into France and the counter attack that eventually established static trench warfare on the western front, there was significant pressure on Britain to take a share of the burden from the French (who had without question had born the brunt of the fighting). Although the battle was effectively over by 12th March, the official battle nomenclature included actions in other sectors up to 22 April 1915 including the significant actions at St Eloi and at Hill 60 (Ypres).
Detail :
Attested at Liverpool, and embarked for France 28th November 1914, being killed in action 10th March 1915. Buried in grave reference IX. E. 18. in Vieille-Chapelle New Military Cemetery, France.
See also: Macclesfield Reflects.
Masonic :
| Type | Lodge Name and No. | Province/District : |
|---|---|---|
| Mother : | Sutherland Lodge of Unity No. 460 E.C. | Staffordshire |
Initiated | Passed | Raised |
25th March 1909 | 25th March 1909 | 29th April 1909 |
The contribution record for Thomas shows that he was initiated and passed on the same date, which cannot be correct. Thomas also resigned c.1910, with no annotation about war service.
Source :
The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- The (UK) National Archives
- Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
- ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry
Additional Source:
- Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
- Researcher : Bruce Littley