Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William James Botterill a shoe riveter, born 1867 in Leicester and his wife Harriett a shoe fitter, born 1872 in Anstey, Leics. Thomas James Harry was born in 1892 in Anstey, Leics., his siblings were Ethel B., born 1895, Arthur A., born 1896, Charles Stanley, born 1898 and Constance S., born 1900, all his siblings were born in Anstey, Leics., in March 1901 the family home was at Bradgate Road, Anstey, Leics. In April 1911 Thomas was employed as a shoe riveter and was residing in the family home at Highfield Street, Anstey, Leics., together with his parents and siblings, Ethel, Arthur, Charles, Constance, Alfred H., born 1906 and William J., born 1911, the latter two siblings were both born in Anstey, Leics. He had a brother Charles Stanley who also served, but survived.