Thomas James Nattrass (1879-1917)
Tow Law man served with DLI and commemorated on Arras Memorial
Thomas was born in late 1879 in Tow Law, the eldest child of Thomas (a coal miner) and Elizabeth Nattrass. In 1881 the family were living at Wards End Cottage, Wolsingham but by 1891 had moved to Almond Carr, Tow Law. In 1901 Thomas was working as a ploughman for the Hand family at Hough Farm, Esh. On 1 April 1907 at St Cuthbert’s, Satley he married Sarah Turner. They had a son, Frederick, born 17 November 1909. In 1911 Thomas, now a coke filler at a colliery, and family were living at 2 High Street, Tow Law. He was attested in Consett on 3 December 1915 as private, 5392 in 9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. At this stage he is described as a roadman. He was killed in action on 3 May 1917 and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.
Civil Parish: Tow Law
Birth date: 1879
Death date: 03-May-1917
Armed force/civilian: Army
Residence: Wards End Cottage, Wolsingham (1881 census)
Almond Carr, Tow Law (1891 census)
Hough Farm, Esh (1901 census)
2 High Street, Tow Law (1911 census)
Religion: Church of England
Employment: Ploughman (1901 census)
Coke filler at colliery (1911 census)
Roadman (1915 Army Service Record)
Family: Father: Thomas Nattrass, born 1852, coal miner
Mother: Elizabeth Nattrass, born 1855
Brothers: William (b. 1881(Died as child)), John (b. 1884), Frederick (b. 1886), Robert (b. 1892), William (b. 1893), Joseph (b. 1896)
Sisters: Mary Jane (b. 1882), Alice (b. 1888), Eliza (b. 1890)
Wife: Sarah Turner (b. 1880)
Son: Frederick (b. 1909)
Military service:
Attested Consett 03-Dec-1915
private 5392 9th Battalion DLI
15 Battalion, 201296 (CWGC)
Killed 03-May-1917
Medal(s): British War Medal
Victory Medal
Memorial(s): Arras Memorial
Tow Law War Memorial
Gender: Male
Contributed by Harold P, Durham