Thomas Henry Sutton – Devonshire Regiment, 2nd Battalion
Serjeant Thomas Henry Sutton – Devonshire Regiment, 2nd Battalion
Early Life and Family Background
Thomas Henry Sutton was born in 1890 at Oystermouth, the son of Lewis
Sutton and Eliza Daniels, who were married in 1870 at the parish
church of Llandeilofawr, Carmarthenshire. At the time of their marriage, neither
parent could write, and both signed the register with their mark (X).Lewis Sutton and Eliza Daniels
marriage certificate
parish church of Llandeilofawr, Carmarthenshire
1891 Census
The 1891
Census records the Sutton family residing at Nottage, Newton. Lewis
Sutton, aged 44, was employed as a General Labourer, while
his wife Eliza, aged 41, worked as a Domestic Servant.
Their children were Sarah (18), also a Domestic Servant; Mary
(13); Emily (11); William (9); Ellen (7); Gladys
(4), all attending school, together with Florrie (3) and Thomas
H. (1).
1901 Census
By the time
of the 1901 Census, the family were still living at Nottage, Newton.
Lewis, now aged 54, remained employed as a General Labourer,
and Eliza, aged 50, managed the household. The children still
present were Helen (17), Gladys (14), Florrie (13), Thomas,
now recorded as “Henry” (11), and Katie (7).
1911 Census
At the time
of the 1911 Census, the household had reduced in size but remained at Nottage,
Newton. Lewis Sutton, aged 64, continued to work as a General
Labourer, and Eliza, aged 60, managed the home. Their
remaining children were Henry (21), employed as a Tin Worker (Tin
Rate), and Katie (14), who was attending school.
Military Service
Thomas Henry Sutton enlisted in 1914 and served with the Devonshire Regiment,
2nd Battalion, attaining the rank of Serjeant by June 1916.
Marriage
Thomas Henry Sutton married Evelyn Davies
marriage certificate
St. Paul's Church, Sketty, Swansea
In June
1916, Serjeant Thomas Henry Sutton married Evelyn Davies at St
Paul’s Church, Sketty. At the time of the marriage, Thomas’s address was
recorded as 32 Kimberley Road, Sketty, while Evelyn was living at 16
Cecil Street, Gorseinon.
Service in France and Death
By early
April 1917, the 2nd Battalion, Devonshire Regiment was
serving on the Western Front as part of 23rd Infantry Brigade, 8th
Division, in the Arras sector, preparing for the forthcoming Battle
of Arras. During this period the battalion was heavily engaged in
front-line holding duties, trench reliefs, wiring parties, and movement into
forward positions under cover of darkness, all while subjected to frequent German
artillery and trench mortar fire.
On 2nd
April 1917, during this phase of sustained bombardment and preparation for
the offensive, Serjeant Thomas Henry Sutton was killed. His death
occurred just days before the opening of the Battle of Arras on 9th
April 1917.
Commemoration and Later Record
As Serjeant
Sutton has no known grave, his name is commemorated on the Arras
Memorial, France, which records those who died in the Arras sector and
whose bodies were never recovered or identified.
1921 Census
Following
his death, his widow Evelyn Sutton returned to her family home at 16
Cecil Street, Gorseinon, where she is recorded in the 1921 Census.
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