Thomas Alderson (1897-1918)
From New Brancepeth. Killed in action with 15 DLI four days before the Armistice.
Thomas Alderson was born in Durham City in 1897, the son of a coal miner. In December 1915, he was living with his parents in New Brancepeth and working underground as a putter in a local colliery. On 10 December 1915, Thomas was attested (enrolled) in the Army, but, as he had an important job, he initially joined the Army Reserve and was not mobilised (called-up for service) until April 1918.
After training with the 4th Battalion DLI, 95036 Private Alderson was posted to France on 22 October 1918 and joined ‘D’ Company of the 15th (Service) Battalion DLI a few days later.
Thomas Alderson was killed in action on 7 November 1918 during the 15th Battalion’s attack at Limont Fontaine. This was the battalion’s last battle of the Great War.
Originally, most of 15 DLI’s casualties of this attack were buried near where they fell. Later they were reburied at Dourlers in an extension of the village cemetery.
For further information;
Commonwealth War Graves Commission: https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/581267/alderson,-thomas/
North East War Memorials Project: http://www.newmp.org.uk/detail.php?contentId=8173#listlink
Death date: 7-Nov-1918
Armed force/civilian: Army
Residence: 1911 Census & Attestation Form: 30 Jubilee Street, New Brancepeth, County Durham.
Employment: Putter.
Family: Parents; Thomas & Jane Alderson.
Military service:
95036 Private Thomas Alderson, 15th (Service) Battalion DLI.
Attested, aged 18 years & 10 months, on 10 December 1915 and posted to the Army Reserve. Mobilised 24 April 1918 and posted to 4 DLI.
After training posted to France on 22 October 1918 and joined 15 DLI.
Killed in action with 'D' Company 15 DLI on 7 November 1918.
Medal(s): British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Memorial(s): Buried: Dourlers Communal Cemetery Extension, France.
Memorial, New Brancepeth.
Gender: Male
Contributed by Durham County Record Office
