Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Charles Henry Belton a domestic gardener, born 5th February 1863 in Goadby, Leicestershire and his wife Elizabeth Belton (nee Jacques, married in the 2nd quarter of 1886 in the Market Bosworth, Leicestershire district), born 1st November 1859 in Walsall, Staffordshire. Thomas William was born in the 2nd quarter of 1892 in Barwell, Leicestershire, his siblings were Annie Maud, born 18th June 1888 in Peckleton, Leicestershire, Charles Richard, born 29th March 1894 and Fanny, born 9th July 1896 the latter two siblings were both born in Barwell, in March 1901 the family home was at 77, High Street, Barwell. In April 1911 Thomas was absent from the family home at 77, High Street, Barwell, residing there was his father, a domestic gardener, his mother and siblings, Annie, an elementary school teacher, Charles, a general helper, Fanny, a domestic servant and Ada Kathleen, a schoolgirl, born 21st June 1903 in Barwell, Thomas was employed as a gardener and was residing as a boarder at Rolleston, Billesdon, Leicestershire. On the 16th January 1916, Thomas married Maggie Ruddick in the Parish Church, Barwell, Leicestershire, Maggie was born on the 11th February 1890 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire. Thomas’s widow married Albert U. Adcock in the 4th quarter of 1923 in the Atcham, Shropshire district, they resided at 240, Belgrave Gate, Leicester.
Thomas first entered the theatre of war on the 24th July 1915 in France, he formerly served with the 6th Battalion prior to being transferred to the 5th Battalion, he was awarded the 1915 Star, British War and Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 22 Aug-17 – IN THE LINE (E. of YPRES). The Battalion executed an attack on the objectives (J.14.b.20.40 to J.8.c.60.25 - HOOGE MAP & SHEET 28 N.W.) allotted to it. Operation Order concerning this are attached to end of this diary. The following is a copy of a report on the operations, as rendered to 42nd Infantry Brigade. “Report on the action of August 22nd 1917, carried out by the 5th Battalion KING’S SHROPSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY, to the EAST of YPRES. The objective to be reached and held extended from the RIGHT of the trenches held by the KING’S ROYAL RIFLE CORPS on the LEFT, who were to remain stationary, to a point level with the “L” FARM on our RIGHT where we were to connect with the LEFT Battalion of the 43rd Infantry Brigade, who were also advancing (600 yards). Prior to the attack, I disposed of my Battalion as follows. 2 Companies (“B” on the RIGHT), (“A” on the LEFT), under Captain O. S. BENBOW – ROWE MC were situated in JARGON TRENCH, with strong outposts to their front in GLENCORSE WOOD. One Company (“D” Company) under Captain E. G. R. LLOYD was situated as a support in JARGON SWITCH, one Company (“C” Company) under 2nd Lieutenant H. W. D. EVANS was situated as Battalion Reserve in IGNORANCE TRENCH. ZERO Hour was given as 7.00am (SEVEN A.M.) and the advance was to take place then simultaneously with the 43rd Infantry Brigade on our RIGHT. Prior to ZERO I issued the following orders. “A” and “B” Companies were to withdraw all outposts into JARGON TRENCH from GLENCORSE WOOD before daybreak, there was to be no movement in any of the Companies before ZERO HOUR. At ZERO, “A” and “B” Companies were to advance in two lines maintaining connection as they advanced with the 43rd Brigade, “D” Company were to advance from JARGON SWITCH to JARGON TRENCH, but were on no account to advance beyond that line. “C” Company were to advance from IGNORANCE to the trenches in the vicinity of Battalion Headquarters holding the high ground at the bend in the MENIN ROAD. This scheme carried out the principles of Defence in Depth and provided for three successive lines with which the enemy would have to cope. In addition the whole of Battalion Headquarters were told off into sections for Defence should they be called on.
Actions at ZERO and afterwards:
Immediately on ZERO going, ”A” and “B” Companies advanced in small section columns through the wood and quickly obtained their objective throughout the line with the exceptions of the RIGHT flank, which was refused in order to obtain connection with the 43rd Brigade whose progress was held up by Machine Gun fire from “L” FARM. Within 5 minutes of the advance, all the officers of the RIGHT Company became casualties and only one junior officer remained with the LEFT Company. Considerable opposition was encountered during the advance, especially by Machine Gun fire. “D” and “C” Companies carried out their instructions for action on ZERO, and on my being informed of the officer casualties in “A” and “B” Companies, I ordered Captain LLOYD forward from “D” Company to take charge of the two assault Companies, (this occurred at 8.25am). Captain LLOYD found on arrival that “B” Company had withdrawn from the advanced position, and owing to lack of leaders, the line had lost connection in several places, he at once re-organised the line and again advanced “B” Company, effectually establishing communication with “A” Company, though touch with the 43rd Brigade, which had been lost, was not regained. About this time, the enemy was observed in the SUNKEN ROAD occupying dug-outs, and we attacked them by means of Rifle Grenades, the result of this procedure could not be ascertained. At 10.20am I personally directed 2nd Lieutenant H. D. EVANS, Commanding “C” Company to send 2nd Lieutenant COOKE to the assistance of Captain LLOYD in view of the officer casualties in “A” Company, and later wired my Officer Commanding Details for all officers at the camp to be sent up to me immediately. At 12.20pm I wrote to the Officer Commanding “C” Company OXFORDSHIRE & BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY asking him to hold the Company of his, that was at my disposal, in the trench on the NORTH side of the MENIN ROAD, and to report to me at my Headquarters. I did this because I realised that at least a fourth of my Battalion had by this time become casualties, and wished to be prepared adequately for any counter-attack which might follow. At 12.48pm I received information from Captain LLOYD that connection had been established with the 43rd Brigade and this was maintained until the relief of my Battalion. On the morning of the 23rd instant at about 4.30am, a heavy counter-attack was launched against the 43rd Brigade, and it was only on my extreme RIGHT that our Lewis Gunners were able to participate in repelling it, and considerable execution was done by them in the enemies ranks, firing half right. We continued to hold the ground gained on the Battalion front until relieved by the 5th Battalion OXFORDSHIRE & BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY on the night of 23/24th instant.
(Signed) H. M. Smith, Lieutenant Colonel
“Commanding 5th K.S.L.I.
Casualties:
KILLED, 2nd Lieutenant C. P. COOKE and 19 Other ranks.
WOUNDED:
Captain O. S. BENBOW – ROWE MC.
Lieutenant H. ATKINSON.
2nd Lieutenant M. CUTLER.
2nd Lieutenant M. S. PORTER and 107 Other ranks.
Missing:
12 Other ranks.