Selected Biography

Wickham, Thomas Albert – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 26.11.1879.[1]  Parents: John Cuthbert Wickham (Draper and Grocer) and Alice [née Brand].  Home: The Green, Long Melford (1881), Westgate Terrace, Westgate Street, Long Melford (1891), 28-36 Tacket Street, Ipswich, Suffolk (1901), High Street, Long Melford (1911), Hall Street, Long Melford (1939), Myrtle Cottage, Dickleburgh, Diss, Norfolk [1961].  Occupation: Drapers Assistant (1901 and 1911), Grocery Manager working for his father [1917], Grocer and Draper [1937] and (1939).  Married: Kate Mary Chappell in 1910.  Service Record: At the Melford Military Service Tribunal in July 1916 Thomas’s father applied for his exemption, which was granted on the condition his situation remained unchanged.  At the West Suffolk Appeal Tribunal at Bury St Edmunds in January, the military representative successfully petitioned for his certificate to be revised, which at the next Melford Tribunal was modified to allow for two months grace.[2]  Thomas was conscripted on 15.5.1917 as Pte.643492 with the Army Ordnance Corps, transferring on 6.8.1918 to 599^th Agricultural Company, Labour Corps engaged in cycle fitting and agricultural work in England.[3]  Died: Norwich, Norfolk on 29.4.1961.[4]

Notes – [1] Baptism Register 3.10.1880, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford. [2] For the Tribunal’s rulings see Suffolk and Essex Free Press 26.7.1916, 10.1.1917 and 28.2.1917. [3] Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363]. [4] National Probate Calendar.