Born in Pendlebury, Lancashire in 1893. His parents were Thomas Mather (25/06/1861-1947) and

Elizabeth Rushton (10/02/1864-1940). They were married in 1884.

Thomas had 2 brothers, William Henry (06/06/1883-1973) and Harold (1889- 28/09/1917). He also had 4 sisters,

Florence (1886-1911), Bertha (07/03/1896-09/03/1983), Elizabeth (1897-1916) and Bella (1900- 1903).

In the 1901 census, the family were recorded as living at 22 Rake Lane, Clifton, Lancashire. Thomas snr. was employed

as a coal miner.

By the time of the 1911 census, the family moved moved and were now living at 23 Sefton Place, Pendlebury. Thomas snr

had also changed jobs and was now manager of the Co-Operative Society. Thomas was also now working and was employed

by his father as an office clerk at the Co-Operative Society. 

Thomas enlisted into the Border Regiment in Manchester on 14/11/1914. His medical at the time of his enlistment is as follows;

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Apparent age - 21 years 1 month

Trade or Occupation - Clerk

Height 5ft 6 inches,  Weight 125lbs 

Chest Measurement  - Girth when fully expanded 37 inches

                                 Range of expansion 2 inches

Pulse Rate - 76.

He joined the regiment at the Carlisle regimental depot on 17/11/1914 until the 26/11/1914 before being moved to

Lulworth Camp in Dorset on27/11/1914 to start his basic training. On 05/07/1915  he was charged with having a dirty rifle

and awarded 7 days confined to barracks. 

Once his basic training was completed he was posted to the training regiment, 10th Battalion on 14/07/1915.

With his training completed, he was posted to 7th Battalion on 03/09/1915 and sent off to France the same day.

Thomas was killed in action on 14/12/1915.   

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He was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the 1914-1918 British War and Allied Victory medals. 

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Manchester Evening News – Thursday 23 December 1915

Roll of Honour

Mather – Private T Mather, 7th Batt. Border Regiment, killed in France. From his Father, Mother, Family and Sister-in-law.

He died for us.

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Four days before Thomas was killed, his brother Harold enlisted in the Royal Field Garrison Artillery, as Gunner 84891. He was 

placed in the army reserve, before being mobilized on 22/05/1916. Harold was posted to the 155th Siege Battery Royal

Garrison Artillery on 21/07/1916.

He was sent to France on 29/08/1916 from Southampton arriving next day in Le Havre.

Harold was granted leave back to the UK on 03/11/1916 until 12/11/1916.

On 28/01/1917 he was attached to the 2nd Army Signalling School until 20/02/1917 when he returned to his unit.

The 11/03/1917 saw him attached to the 2nd Army Officers School for Commission, where he remained until 05/04/1917

before returning to his unit. Harold never received his commission and was killed in action on 28/09/1917.

He is buried in Lindenhoek Chalet Military Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium, Plot I.H. 1(jt). 

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Manchester Evening News – Friday 05 October 1917

Latest Casualties

Swinton & Pendlebury

Gunner Harold Mather R.G.A., 41 Townsend Road, Pendlebury, killed on September 28, was employed as a clerk by the C.W.S., Manchester.   

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