204567 Private Thomas Appleyard
1/5th(T.F.)Battalion
York and Lancaster Regiment
8th March 1918
Born in Kippax, Leeds, Yorkshire in 1892. He was baptised on 21/08/1892.
His parents were Benjamin Appleyard(1850-1929) and Louisa Colley(1859-03/10/1924). They married on 12/02/1881.
Thomas had a brother, William Arthur(26/07/1894-1947) and 2 sisters, Mary Hannah(03/10/1886-1964) and Alice(1889-13/02/1961).
In the 1901 census, the family were recorded as living on Robinson Lane,Kippax,Leeds. Benjamin was employed as a coal miner(hewer).
The 1911 census, showed the family were still living at the same address,but Benjamin was now working as a lime quarryman above ground and Thomas was employed as a colliery labourer above ground.
He enlisted in Kippax Leeds on 11/12/1915 and placed in the army reserve on 12/12/1915.
He wasn't mobilized until 20/03/1917, joining the 3/4th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment in Pontefract.
Details from his medical performed on the same day are as follows;
Height 5ft 6 1/2 inches, Weight 160 lbs, Chest measurement minimum 38 inches,range of expansion 2 1/2 inches.
On 06/07/1917 he was charged with returning late from leave by 25 hours on 03/07/1917. His punishment was being confined to barracks for 4 days.
He embarked for France via Folkestone on the 17/07/1917,disembarking in Boulogne on the same day. He was then marched into Etaples the next day ,where he was posted to 2/5th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment.
On 18/08/1917 he was deprived of 7 days pay for being absent from a medical inspection at 10am on 04/08/1917 until found on camp at 2pm.
On 12/08/1917 he joined his battalion in the field.
Thomas was posted to 1/5th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment on 05/02/1918.
He was killed in action on 08/03/1918.
His personal items, 2 mirrors, testament, purse,watch,trinket,wallet,photos,papers,letters and cards were returned to his father on 06/06/1918.
He was awarded the 1914-1918 British War and Allied Victory medals.
A pension of 15/- a week was awarded to his mother Louisa from 24/09/1918.
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