Add New Content


Please log in or register to add new content.

Login

Report Inaccuracies


Thomas Harbron (1887-1949)


Darlington man became a Captain the the Canadian Army Medical Corps


Darlington-born Emmanuel (Manny) Habron was an engineer by trade, but according to his headstone was a “notable trainer of athletes”, including Arthur Wharton, the first black footballer. He married local girl Annie Davidson in autumn 1879 and they had three daughters, followed by four sons. Thomas, born on 4th November 1887 at Napier Street, Darlington, was the second. Annie died in 1897 and is buried in Darlington West Cemetery. Manny married 24 year old Catherine Hannah Sowerby in 1900 and they moved to 43 East Raby Street, Darlington with Elizabeth, Emmanuel, errand boy Tom then aged 13, and youngsters Robert and Mark. Two years later, Tom had a stepbrother with the birth of John George. By 1911 they were living at 8 Freemans Terrace, Darlington and only Tom, Mark and John George were still living with their parents. The following year, Tom sailed for Canada, having for eight years been a member of the local Volunteer Force and Territorials.

Arriving in Canada, Tom settled in Toronto, finding work as a carpenter and joining the local militia, the 13th Cavalry Field Ambulance. He returned to England, visiting relatives in June 1914, staying for two months. In August 1915 Tom became Regimental Sergeant Major at the Toronto Recruiting Office, having transferred from the Field Ambulance Service and by December was back with the Army Medical Corps (AMC) at the Military College Hospital where he was promoted to Lieutenant and Quartermaster (QM). In January 1918, he was promoted to Captain and QM and in November of that year transferred to AMC Training Depot no. 2.

On 10th June 1919, Tom officially enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force at Givens Street Barracks in Toronto, retaining his rank of Captain and still being based at the Training depot. He remained there until demobilisation in July 1920.

By census day in 1921, Tom was working as a manufacturer’s agent and lodging with the Pember family in Tranby Avenue, Toronto and on 7th September he married 33 year old Sara Lillian Peace in Toronto. They had two daughters both born in 1926, Janet Grace in April and Sheila Elizabeth in November.

Thomas died on 13th October 1949 and is buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto with his wife and children.

Civil Parish: Darlington

Birth date: 4-Nov-1887

Death date: 13-Oct-1949

Armed force/civilian: Army

Residence: 1 Napier Street, Darlington (birthplace)
43 East Raby Street, Darlington (1901 census)
8 Freemans Terrace, Darlington (1911 census)
9 Bernard Avenue, Toronto (enlistment papers)
20 Tranby Avenue, Toronto (1921 Canadian census)

Employment: errand boy (1901 census)
Joiner (1911 census)
Carpenter (ship’s manifest)
Building Contractor (enlistment papers)
Manufacturer’s agent (1921 Canadian census)

Family: Parents: Emmanuel Harbron, Annie Davidson, Catherine Hannah Sowerby (step-mother)
Siblings: Elizabeth, Annie, Jane, Emmanuel, Robert, Mark, John George (step-brother)
Wife: Sara Lillian Peace
Children: Janet Grace, Sheila Elizabeth

Military service:

Territorials and Volunteer Force (England)
13th Cavalry Field Ambulance (pre-war militia)
Captain
Canadian Army Medical Corps

Gender: Male

Contributed by Jean Longstaff, Durham

Comments on this story


Comment

Mark Harbron was my grandfather. He was in the DLI during the Great War. I would love to find out more about the Harbrons

Contributed by

French9

Report abuse

Hello, I am Tom Harbron's grandson (I am named after him)
I just wanted to add that Tom in fact had 4 children, John (deceased) , Janet (deceased), Florence Peace (my mother now in her 90th year) and Lillian (in her 87th year). Sheila was John's wife.
I just wanted to say thank you as I have learned more about my grandfather from this web page than I have from family stories. Very enlightening.

Contributed by

Tom Kristjanson

Report abuse

Show More