Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Thomas Silverwood, born in the April quarter of 1865 in Wigston, Leicestershire (son of Alfred Silverwood, 1842-1913 and Maria Johnson, 1842-1886) and his wife Julia Wignall Silverwood (nee Wignall, married on the 27th May 1890 in All Saint’s Church, Wigston Magna, Leicestershire), born on the 13th August 1868 in Wigston Magna and baptised on the 1st November 1868 in All Saint’s Church, Wigston Magna (daughter of Alfred Wignall, 1846-1918 and Naomi Whyatt, 1845-1916). Thomas Johnson was born in the April quarter of 1893 in Wigston.
Thomas’s father died in the April quarter of 1893 in Wigston Magna, aged 28 years.
In March 1901 Thomas was residing at 43, Bulls Head Street, Wigston Magna, this being the family home of his maternal grandfather, Alfred Wignal (Wignall), a hosiery factory manager, born in the October quarter of 1846 in Wigston Magna (son of Benjamin Wignall, 1806-1876 and Sarah Ann Forryan, 1806-1858) and his wife Naomi Wignall (nee Whyatt, married on the 20th August 1866 in All Saint’s Church, Wigston Magna), born in the January quarter of 1845 in Wigston Magna and baptised on the 6th September 1846 in All Saint’s Church, Wigston Magna (daughter of John Whyatt, 1814-1900 and Sarah Carter, 1814-1882) and their daughter Edith Elizabeth Wignall, a griswold stocking knitter, born on the 26th January 1874 in Wigston Magna and baptised on the 1st March 1874 in All Saint’s Church, Wigston Magna, Thomas’s widowed mother, a griswold stocking knitter and his brother Alexander Alfred, born on the 6th January 1892 in Wigston Magna and baptised on the 28th February 1892 in Wigston Magna were also residing in the family home.
Thomas’s mother married Willie Mattock on the 7th October 1901 in All Saint’s Church, Wigston Magna. Willie was born on the 7th May 1877 in Wigston Magna (son of William Mattock, 1830-1881 and Annie Chamberlain, 1842-1894)
In April 1911 Thomas was employed as a laundry parcels worker and was residing at 43, Bulls Head Street, Wigston Magna, the family home of his maternal grandfather, a tripe dresser, his wife and daughter Edith, a hosiery trade machinist, also residing in the family home was his brother Alexander, a general labourer.
Thomas enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 8th December 1915 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 24884. He gave his age as 22 years 240 days. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as hosiery winder. He gave his present address as 43, Bulls Head Street, Wigston Magna, Leicestershire.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Leicester on the 8th December 1915 and recorded his birthplace as Wigston, Leicestershire, declared age as 22 years 240 days, trade or occupation as hosiery winder, that he was 5-feet 9½ inches in height, weighed 144 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 34 and 36 inches, his physical development was described as good, his vision was described as R.E.-V=Good. L.E.-V=Good. Enlisted at Leicester on the 8th December 1915. Joined on enlistment Leicestershire Regt. Regimental No. 24884. Transferred to 2/5th Bn. Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regt. Regimental No. 10492.
He gave his religion as Wesleyan.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 22 years 240 days, height 5-feet 9½ inches and chest measurement of between 34 and 36 inches. The following distinctive marks were noted, [none recorded].
He gave his next of kin as his grandfather, Alfred Wignall, 43, Bulls Head Street, Wigston Magna.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Casualty Form – Active Service (B.103). Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Attested. In Leicester. 8/12/15.
To Army Reserve. 9/12/15.
Mobilised. 28/1/16.
Posted. To Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 28/1/16.
Transferred. To 2/5th (Territorial Force) Bn. Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regt. Pte. 7/2/16.
Allotted. Regimental service number 10492.
Embarked. From Folkestone with 2/5th Bn. Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regt. Pte. 25/2/17.
Disembarked. Belgium 26/2/17.
Trained and qualified as a Lewis Gunner.
Under the Army Council Instruction (A.C.I. 2414/1916), published on the 23rd December 1916, that promulgated a new numbering system for all Territorial Force units, Thomas was allotted the regimental service number 202062.
Admitted. To 2/1st South Midland Field Ambulance, sick. In the Field. 16/4/17.
Admitted. To 38th Casualty Clearing Station, suspected dysentery. In the Field. 20/4/17.
Admitted. To 14th Stationary Hospital, enteritis. Wimereux. 20/4/17.
Transferred. To 7th Convalescent Depot, Boulogne. 1/5/17.
Transferred. To 14th Infantry Brigade Depot. Calais. 19/5/17.
Transferred. To 2/5th Bn. Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regt. In the Field. 10/6/17.
Rejoined. 2/5th Bn. Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regt. for duty. In the Field. 13/6/17.
Wounded and missing in action. In the Field. 26/9/17.
Officially accepted as having died on or since. 26/9/17.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 8/12/15 – 25/2/17. 1 year 80 days.
France. 26/2/17 – 26/9/17. 213 days.
Total Service. 1 year 293 days.
He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
The War Diary records: 26 Sep-17 – ZERO DAY.
2.10 am. Companies reported in position ready for attack.
3.50 am. Commencement of bombardment of 2 hours duration previous to ZERO HOUR (Enemy Barrage retaliation on his Barrage Lines).
5.50 am. ZERO HOUR. For report on operations see description attached.
10.15 am. Battalion Headquarters move from CAPRICORN KEEP to GALLIPOLI.
6.00 pm. Commencement of Retrograde Movement (see description attached).
2/5th Battalion The Sherwood Foresters.
SECRET
Report on Operations 26th September 1917.
[1] GENERAL: On the morning of 26th instant, the Battalion under my Command attacked the enemy’s position, in conjunction with the troops of 178th Infantry Brigade, and in accordance with the orders received from the Brigadier General, 178th Infantry Brigade.
The role allotted to the Battalion was to support 2/8th Sherwood Foresters until their second objective had been reached and then to pass through them and capture and consolidate the line of the enclosure D.14.b.4.4 – D.14.d.7.7. OTTO FARM was then to be captured and held, and a line of posts was to be established on this general line.
[2] DISPOSITIONS: My dispositions were regulated by verbal instructions received from Brigadier General Commanding 178th Infantry Brigade, which entailed keeping one Company as a reserve in its forming up place and sending only two platoons forward to OTTO FARM.
I had previously determined that it would require two Companies to attack and hold OTTO FARM, but my plans had to be modified in accordance with the above.
“B” Company therefore was ordered to attack the enclosure D.14.b.4.4 and “C” Company to reach this line and when the barrage lifted off OTTO to attack it and hold it with two platoons, leaving the third to hold the line to “B” Company’s right.
“D” Company detailed one platoon to mop up for “B” and “C” Companies and the remainder were detailed as an immediate support to the two attacking Companies.
“A” Company was retained as a general reserve about AISNE FARM.
[3] APPRECIATION: As OTTO FARM was to be held, I considered it important to ensure that the 177th Infantry Brigade on my right were fully cognisant of the fact and were prepared to establish a line of posts to protect its right flank.
On the afternoon of the 25th instant, I therefore sent my Adjutant to the 2/5th Lincolnshire Regiment to explain my plan and to impress the above point on them. He did not consider that the arrangements they had already made were sufficient for our support and informed 178th Infantry Brigade Headquarters of the fact. The two Brigades concerned then succeeded in co-ordinating a scheme which would ensure satisfactory mutual support between the two Battalions.
[4] ASSEMBLY LINES: Assembly positions were marked out in accordance with Brigade instructions, the front line of deployment being our line of emplacements D.13.c.2.6 and my left being on the road.
The depth of the Battalion was about 300 yards. “D” Company formed up behind “B” Company on left and “A” Company behind “C” Company on right.
At 4.00 am in reply to our preliminary bombardment, the enemy put down a heavy barrage and “D” and “A” Company suffered considerable casualties.
[5] THE ASSAULT: At 5.20 am the assault commenced and a general advance begun. From the outset the Battalion experienced great difficulties in maintaining direction. The WIELTJE – GRAVENSTAFEL Road was very difficult to determine and compasses proved unreliable.
The Battalion, however, succeeded in passing through 2/6th Sherwood Foresters to time and continued the attack. Very little opposition was encountered by my two attacking Companies but the greatest difficulty was still experienced in keeping organization and direction.
The thick fog and the dust and smoke giving the attackers all the difficulties of a night advance. The enclosure was captured by “B” Company, and Captain Littleboy, Commanding “C” Company collected his men preparatory to assaulting OTTO FARM. As the two platoons detailed for this purpose appeared too weak, captain Littleboy collected all of the men of his Company available.
[6] CAPTURE OF OTTO FARM: The Company advanced and got as close to the barrage as possible when it lifted the assault was delivered. A certain amount of opposition was encountered, but the place was bombed and most of the garrison ran out. Many were killed and about 40 prisoners were taken.
Touch was made with 177th Infantry Brigade on right.
[7] POSITION AFTER THE ASSAULT: At 10.00 am my situation was shown on attached Map A. Captain Swan and the remains of “B” Company were holding the enclosure and had pushed out a line of posts connecting it with OTTO FARM, and OTTO FARM was held by about 15 men of “C” Company. The remainder of these two Companies were either casualties or had lost their way and were not available for reserves. The whole of “B” Company had suffered very heavy and casualties from shell fire and all their officers had been wounded (N.B. this Company at the end of the day only numbered 28). Of these that were left, some had joined Captain Swan in the enclosure and others, Captain Littleboy in OTTO FARM. I therefore deemed it necessary to move forward to DEEP TRENCH D.14.d.1.9. This they had to do through a heavy barrage and as they had sustained heavy casualties before ZERO their fighting efficiency on arrival was very small.
[8] WITHDRAWAL FROM OTTO FARM: Meanwhile Captain Littleboy had personally been to see an officer of the 2/5th Lincolnshire Regiment on his right and had arranged with him for the protection of his right flank.
Shortly after this the enemy opened fire on the troops on his right, and they appeared to suffer heavily. They then withdrew about 500 yards leaving his right flank uncovered.
A defensive flank was then formed with a Lewis Gun and Captain Littleboy again when to the Battalion on his right and asked an officer why they had retired. He pointed out that OTTO FARM was beyond their objective and he did not propose to hold that forward line. Early in the afternoon a small local counter-attack on OTTO FARM was repulsed by rifle fire from the farm. About 5 o’clock the enemy opened a heavy barrage along the front, and particularly against the 177th Brigade on the right and the counter-attack was seen developing from North East DOCHY FARM. The retrograde movement of our troops in various parts could then be seen in progress and Captain Littleboy in OTTO FARM could see the enemy to his right rear threatening “B” Company in the enclosure and the line further to the left.
With the objective of preventing the apparent rolling up of the line the troops from OTTO FARM were withdrawn by him and the line of “B” Company was prolonged and covered to the right.
Just before it was dark, many of the troops who had retired returned, and the line was firmly established on the line of the enclosure.
[9] SUBSEQUENT PROCEEDINGS: Little could be done in the way of re-organization during the night 26/27th as the situation was for a long time very obscure and it was considered more important for the troops of the Battalion, all of which were in the front line, to maintain the positions they were in. Further German counter-attacks were expected (N.B. the strength of the Battalion holding this line at present was 171). During the night stragglers were collected and a reserve of about 30 men was made near GALLIPOLI to which Battalion Headquarters had moved. About 4.00 am on the morning of the 27th, as soon as it was practical to do so, this reserve was ordered forward to about DEEP TRENCH, but as they were starting a very heavy hostile barrage was put down and their move was postponed until daylight, when it was cancelled. On the night of the 28/29th the Battalion was relieved by the 2/6th Sherwood Foresters and was reformed about GALLIPOLI where it remained in support of the 2/6th.
[10] GENERAL: All ranks displayed at all time an offensive and soldier like spirit and the men responded to every call made upon them. A number lost their way during the attack, but in practically every case I am satisfied they joined up as soon as possible.
During the retirement during the evening of the 26th some joined in, but the greater portion of them only retired on to the supporting troops two or three hundred yards in rear and soon came forward to rejoin their comrades.
15 of them reached WIELTJE and were returned on the following morning and a few were collected by me in the neighbourhood of GALLIPOLI.
I am in possession of the names of most of those who went past Battalion Headquarters and enquiry is being held into their conduct.
[11] HONOURS AND AWARDS: The names of those particularly deserving of award are being forwarded under separate cover.
[12] POINTS FOR CONSIDERATION: In accordance with 178th Infantry Brigade 688 G of the 1st October, I beg to bring forward the following points: -
[1] It was very difficult to find the final objective and to keep direction as stated in the above report.
[2] The Barrage was very suitable and troops could get within 50 yards of it. They however, continually got mixed up in it.
[3] Formations were suitable. It was found very hard to keep these formations owing to fog and smoke. They are however considered most suitable.
[4] The dress and equipment was satisfactory in every way excepting that bombs should be carried in the side pockets.
[5] Owing to the confusion during the first night, little could be done for the comfort of the assaulting troops.
[6] This was not satisfactory. Tapes should be put out at least the night before, and the Commanding Officer and Company Commanders given a chance of inspecting them. It would also be very useful if a map could be supplied showing 4 exact lines of enemy’s barrage. It requires watching carefully for at least three days previous to the attack. This can only be done satisfactorily by people living in the line.
[7] For the front-line shell holes improved to shoot out of appear to be the best. No casualties were incurred by the Battalion after the termination of the fighting in the front line composed of shell holes, although it was heavily bombarded several times.
[8] If machine guns are allotted to Battalions, they must join them in time to march to the position of assembly.
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