Bromley War Memorial

Parents: George Thomas & Annie Butler (nee East)
Siblings: East- William, Florence, Butler - George Samuel, Albert Edward, Alexie (Elsie?), Dorothy (d), May (d), Bryant - Maggie, Lily
Relatives on War Memorial: BRYANT, S.S., BUTLER, G.

Census information

1901
Address: 23 Walpole Road
1911
Address: 76 Victoria Road
Occupation: Carman

Extra details

William, Florence and Thomas Frederick were born to Annie Elizabeth East before she married George Thomas Butler in 1891. George Samuel was their first child of five. By 1901 Annie is living with Arthur Bryant, they had twins Maggie and Lily.

Thomas attended Raglan Road School before taking a job as a carman with the Coal Co-operative Society.

He enlisted as a Gunner (48926) in the Royal Garrison Artillery on 26th October 1914 but was discharged as "not being likely to become an efficient soldier" on 4th November due to defective vision from corneal opacity. He was described as 5ft 8ins tall, weight 162lbs, fresh complexion, blue eyes and dark brown hair. He had scars on his back from boils.

In February 1915 Thomas enlisted in the Royal West Kent Regiment and after training went to the Front in June. On 8th October 1915, despite severe bombardment by the Germans, the 6th Battalion attempted to re-take the trenches captured by the Germans but were unsuccessful. This attack resulted in 12 men killed, 39 missing and 53 wounded, Thomas was one of the men killed when he received a direct hit to his head, dying instantly.

His brother William was so badly wounded that he was permanently physically disabled. Arthur Bryant's son Sidney also died.

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