Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Renshaw Rawding, a farm wagoner, born 1862 in Bracebridge, Lincs., and his wife Mary Annie Rawding (nee Jackson, married in the 4th quarter of 1889 in the Oakham, Rutland district), born 1867 in Langtoft, Lincs. Thomas William, a domestic gardener and was born in the 1st quarter of 1895 in Great Casterton, Rutland, his siblings were, Harry, a farm worker, born 1897 and Bertie Renshaw, a schoolboy, born in the 2nd quarter of 1898, the latter two siblings were both born in Burley, Rutland, Edith, a schoolgirl, born 1905 in Ashwell, Rutland and Elsie, born 1909 in Edmondthrope, Leics., in April 1911 the family home was at Edomondthorpe Lodge, Edmondthorpe, Leics. Thomas’ younger brother Bertie Renshaw fell in action.
On Friday July 16th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – EDMONDTHORPE YEOMAN’S SAD DEATH. We regret to learn that Trooper W. T. Rawding, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Rawding, has met with an untimely end. Deceased, who was 21 years of age, was in the 1st Lincolnshire Yeomanry, being stationed at Oakley Park, Suffolk. While under canvas at Refgrave, he learnt to swim a little, and on returning to Oakley Park tried to swim across the River Waveny, which at that spot must have been deeper and wider than he supposed. He got into difficulties, and his friend, Boulton, a feeble swimmer, did his best to save him. In fact, the would be rescuer would have lost his life but for a man named Elvin, a good swimmer, who at once jumped in with most of his clothes on, and rescued Boulton. Rawdings body was not recovered until some time later. The Officer, writing to the parents, speaks in the highest terms of him. “He was a splendid fellow, always ready and willing to cheerfully carry out with thoroughness any orders, however long the days work might be. He set a fine example to the other men, and I always felt that, in spite of the short acquaintance, I could thoroughly depend upon him.” The body was conveyed from Diss to Whissendine Station, and from thence to the church at Edmondthorpe, where the interment took place amidst tokens of the deepest respect. The coffin was covered with the Union Jack and some lovely wreaths. The bearers, four of his former comrades at home, were Messrs. Fred Meadows, Bert Hatfield, Walter Willingham and Joe Dawson. The funeral was of a military nature, nine of his young comrades being present. The first portion of the sad solemn rites was performed by the Rector, the Rev. L. N. Knox, and the last portion at the graveside by the Chaplain. For the musical portion in the church, Miss E. Barrett presided at the organ. The chief mourners were:- Mr. and Mrs Rawding (parents), Mr. Harry Rawding and Mrs. Jarvis (brother and sister), Mr. Bert Rawding (brother) and Miss M. Flintham (fiancé), of Metheringham. Mr. Jarvis (brother in law), Miss E. Barfield (cousin), Mrs. Robinson (aunt), Edith and Elsie Rawding (sisters), Mr. T. Barfield (cousin), Oakham, Mrs. Jarvis, Ashwell, Miss Kettle and Miss Pollard. The floral tributes were very lovely, including:- From the Officers, B Squadron 1st Lincolsnhire Yeomanry; R.S.M., 1st Lincolnshire Yeomanry; N.C.O.s and Men, Deaceased’s Troop, B Squadron; N.C.O.s and Men, B Squadron; His sorrowing Father and Mother: Brothers and Sisters: Martha: The Parishioners of Edmondthorpe: Mr. and Mrs. Meadows: Mr. and Mrs. Wright, Wymondham; and many others. At the close of the ceremony the “Last Post” was sounded by the bugler.