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1890 - 03/11/1917

Place of birth: Lewisham, Kent
Last known address in Bromley: Holloway Farm Bromley Hill

Military information

Regiment/Service: Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment
Battalion/Ship: 5th Bn
Rank: Captain
Number: Unknown

Family information

Parents: Daniel Herbert & Jessie Dutton
Parents' occupation: Farmer
Siblings: John Sheffield (d), Ella Florence

Census information

1891
Address: Holloway Farm, Bromley Hill, Lewisham
1901
Address: Holloway Farm, Southend, Lewisham
1911
Address: Holloway Farm, Bromley Hill
Occupation: Working on farm

Extra details

Thomas was the eldest of Daniel and Jessie's three children. He was baptised at St Mary's Lewisham on 29th October 1890. Holloway Farm was farmed by the Dutton family from at least 1871 first by Thomas's grandfather Benjamin then his father Daniel.

Daniel was educated at Bromley High School and then Cliftonville College, Margate. From an early age Thomas was always interested in rifle shooting. He was a member of the Lewisham Rifle Club, and of the Bromley Town Miniature Rifle Club, being also vice-captain of the Lee Rifle Club. He took part in many open rifle meetings all over the country, winning numerous trophies and medals including the Duke of Westminster's, the Daily Express and Coates Challenge Cups. He also shot for the English team several times in international matches.

When war broke out, although he was a member of the Bromley Volunteer Training Corps, Thomas was unable to enlist immediately as his father Daniel was in the West Kent Yeomanry and had been mobilised with his regiment, leaving Thomas in charge of the farm. However, due to ill health, Daniel was gazetted out. Thomas enlisted in 1915 and was gazetted Second Lieutenant on 15th December 1915. He went to Egypt at the end of June 1916 and was second in command of his company in the fighting around Gaza in April 1917. At the time of his death he was Acting Captain.