Thomas ECCLES Private 34887, Durham Light Infantry & Private 13330, East Yorkshire Regiment & Army Service Corps. Died 27 th August 1918. Thomas Eccles was born in 1897, the family living at Stockton-on-Tees. His father, William, was employed as a puddler in the iron and steel industry. By the time of the 1911 Census the family was living in Consett in County Durham, where there was a large iron and steel complex. Thomas was 15 years of age at this time, but did not appear to be in employment. There is, however, no record of where the family later lived in Howden-le- Wear, despite Thomas's enlistment papers showing that he was resident there. There is evidence that he was serving with the Durham Light Infantry, and this is how he is recorded on the Howden-le-Wear War Memorial. Further research showed that he was a private in the East Yorkshire Regiment, and his records also identify him as having been in the 7 th Service Battalion of the Army Service Corps. He arrived in France on the 9 th September 1915, aged just 19. He would undoubtedly have been present at a number of major battles, but the military records are not available to identify in detail his postings or the front line action he saw. However, in view of the fact that he died on the 27 th August 1918, it is likely that he lost his life during the allied assault on Albert or Bapaume. Thomas Eccles was buried in Fler Cemetery.

Remembering Our Fallen

Howden-le-Wear History Society

A column of the Army Service Corps travelling through a French village. Image courtesy of www.1914-1918 .net