VOSE, THOMAS

Photograph with kind permission from the Uttoxeter Advertiser

He attended Alleyne’s Grammar School and his name appears on their war memorial.

The Uttoxeter Advertiser published an obituary on 19^th December 1917^[1b] and described Tom as “a young man of fine physique, standing six feet in height, very popular amongst his friends, and generally esteemed for his many admirable qualities”.

According to this obituary^[1b], Tom Vose was a well-known figure in the district.

Before joining the army he was on the staff of the Leighton Ironworks^[1b], (the forerunner of the modern JCB company), where his father had held a responsible position for a number of years^[1b].

Tom’s obituary in the Uttoxeter Advertiser gives^[1b] a glimpse into how he spent his spare time:

  “In the world of sport he became very popular. He was a keen golfer and all forms of athletics appealed to him.    For some time he was also secretary of the successful sports held in conjunction with the Oldfields Cricket Club”.

In the winter months football was his favourite pastime, and few enjoyed a game better. He was a valuable supporter of the old St. Mary’s Football Club.

For many years a member of the Oldfields Cricket Club, he was at one time captain of the Second Eleven, and during his Army career he organised several sports programmes for the men, himself taking a prominent part, especially in cricket, one of his best efforts in this direction being a score of 90 not out in a regimental match in Yorkshire against first class bowling.

The feathered world also knew him as a breeder of prize-winning Wyandottes; notably the Silver variety.”

Tom joined the forces in early 1915^[1b] and went into the Staffordshire Yeomanry^[2] as an enlisted man. He was in training with them for some months and was then offered a commission^[1b].

By November 1915 he was serving as a lance-corporal and had already been staioned at Milford, Loughborough and Lodden^[2]. Some time after this, he was offered a commission^[1b].

Upon accepting his commission he went through the cadets’ course and, as the Uttoxeter Advertiser reported^[1b], passed his examinations with great success.

In January 1916 he was serving at Hornsea and acknowledged a Christmas parcel that had been sent by the Uttoxeter townsfolk^[2].

He was posted to the West Yorkshire Regiment as Second-Lieutenant^[1b], and within a few hours of reaching France was with his unit in the front-line trenches^[1b]. Shortly afterwards, he went through the early stages of the battle of the Somme^[1b].

After a number of months’ service in France he was invalided home suffering from shell-shock^[1b]]. The Uttoxeter Advertiser described the subsequent events in the following words^[1b]:

  “after a period in hospital and light-duties at home [i.e. in England] he underwent a special course of training in bayonet fighting and physical training, his splendid physique and sporting proclivities suggesting this as a characteristic form of service which the deceased officer could give to the Army. Here again he passed his examination with honours, and was posted to the Aldershot command with a rank of Lieutenant, for a month or so being responsible for the control of this branch of the training of a battalion.”

At the end of November 1916 the Uttoxeter Advertiser reported him to be in hospital in Manchester suffering from dysentery^[1a].

Tom died in December 1917, only two or three weeks after he returned to the front from being home on leave^[1b]. This meant that his death came as a painful shock to his parents and many friends^[1b].

His obituary^[1b] stated that “with all classes his death has ccasioned keen regret, and the sympathy of all will go out to his parent in their sad loss”.

The Uttoxeter Advertiser’s roll of honour says that he died at Favreuil – Bullecourt on 12^th December 1917. The CWGC gives the date as 13^th December 1917.