Selected Biography

Garwood, Thomas George – Born: St Pancras, London on 16.3.1887.[1]  Parents: James Garwood (Horse Keeper, later Coachman) and Mary Jane [née Vincent], long-term residents of Long Melford.  Home: 12 Roberts Mews, St Pancras, London (1891), The Green, Long Melford (1901), The Elms, High Street, Solihull, Warwickshire [1916], 68 Olton Road, Solihull (1939), 51 Elizabeth Grove, Shirley, Solihull [1975].  Occupation: Grocery and Provisions Assistant (1939).  Married: Rose Kathleen Hines in 1913.  Service Record: Thomas was conscripted on 16.6.1916 as Pte.19703 with 3^rd [Reserve] Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, transferring to 1^st Battalion, Warwicks and posted to France from 23.12.1916 to 9.9.1917.  On 9.1.1917 he was transferred in the field as Pte.203335 to 2/5^th Warwicks as part of 182^nd Brigade, 61^st [2^nd South Midland] Division.  It was while he was serving in this unit in the Somme sector on 1.9.1917, that he was wounded in his right buttock.  This probably occurred when two platoons made an unsuccessful dawn raid against enemy positions on a feature known as Hill 35.  The severity of the injury is not recorded; however, he was returned to England shortly after.  He appears to have remained with the Warwicks until 18.4.1918 when he was transferred as Gnr.80168 to 32^nd Reserve Company, 6^th Reserve Battalion, Machine Gun Corps, receiving his discharge in February 1919.[2]  Died: Solihull, Warwickshire on 12.4.1975.[3]

Notes – [1] Date of birth from the Baptism Register 1.5.1887, St James Church, St Pancras, London.  [2] For details of 2/5^th Warwick’s movements see War Diary [WO 95/3056/1].  See also his Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363], Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372].  [3] Date of death from the National Probate Calendar.