Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Alfred James Holyoake, a framework knitter, born in the July quarter of 1855 in Kibworth, Leicestershire and baptised as Alfred James Holyoak on the 12th November 1855 in Christ Church, Smeeton Westerby (son on James Holyoak, 1834-1898 and Maria Bromley, 1832-1885) and his wife Ann Griffith Holyoak (nee Brampton, married 2nd July 1878 in the Church of SS. Peter & Paul, Kettering, Northamptonshire), born in the July quarter of 1857 in Rothwell, Northamptonshire (daughter of George Brampton, 1815 and Ann Andrew, 1815). Thomas Alfred, was born on the 25th January 1890 in Smeeton Westerby, Leicestershire and baptised on the 23rd September 1900 in Christ Church, Smeeton Westerby, his siblings were, Alice Elizabeth, a servant, born in the April quarter of 1879 and baptised on the 29th June 1879 in Christ Church, Smeeton Westerby, Ruby, a schoolgirl, born on the 13th March 1881 and baptised on the 26th May 1881 in Christ Church, Smeeton Westerby, Phoebe, a schoolgirl, born on the 15th March 1883 and baptised on the 17th June 1883 in Christ Church, Smeeton Westerby, Catharine, a schoolgirl, born on the 4th June 1885 and baptised on the 29th June 1885 in Christ Church, Smeeton Westerby, Robert Brampton, born on the 4th March 1888 and baptised on the 1st April 1888 in Christ Church, Smeeton Westerby and George Brampton, born on the 1st April 1891 and baptised on the 23rd September 1900 in Christ Church, Smeeton Westerby, all his siblings were born in Smeeton Westerby, in April 1891 the family home was at Cobleys Lane, Smeeton Westerby.
In March 1901 Thomas was residing in the family home at Pit Hill, Smeeton Westerby, together with his father, a farm labourer, his mother, a hosiery trade mender, and siblings, Ruby, a hosiery trade runner on, Phoebe, a hosiery trade runner on, Catharine, a hosiery trade runner on, Robert, a labourer, George, John William Logan, born on the 26th March 1893 and baptised on the 23rd September 1900 in Christ Church, Smeeton Westerby, Fred, born on the 13th October 1895 and baptised on the 23rd September 1900 in Christ Church, Smeeton Westerby and Dick, born on the 30th May 1899 and baptised on the 23rd September 1900 in Christ Church, Smeeton Westerby, the latter three siblings were all born in Smeeton Westerby.
Thomas’s father died aged 47 years in December 1902, and was interred on the 20th December in Smeeton Westerby Churchyard.
In April 1911 Thomas was employed as a hosiery trade footer and was residing in the family home at White Street, Kibworth Beauchamp, Leicestershire, together with his widowed mother and siblings, Kate, a hosiery trade seamer, George, a hosiery trade winder, John, a hosiery trade runner on, Fred, a hosiery trade runner on and Dick, a schoolboy.
FAMILY NOTES: Thomas’ sister Alice, died aged 17 years in March 1897 and was interred on the 29th March in Smeeton Westerby, Churchyard.
Thomas’ army service enlistment documents do not survive, therefore the currently available information pertaining to his military service has been obtained from the following sources: - 1921 HMSO Publication, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914 - 1919, WW1 Service Medal and Award Rolls, Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Registers.
Enlisted/Attested in Leicester. Date not known.
Joined. At Leicester. Date not known.
Posted. To Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. Date not known.
Allotted the Regimental Service number 22460.
Posted. To Leicestershire Regt. Pte. Battalion and date not known.
Transferred. To 1/4th Bn. Devonshire Regt. Pte. Date not known.
Allotted the Regimental Service number 4408.
Transferred. To 1st Bn. Devonshire Regt. Pte. Date not known.
Allotted the Regimental Service number 30659.
First entered the theatre of war in France after the 31st December 1915.
Wounded in action. In the Field. Date not known.
Admitted. To No.2 Australian General Hospital. Boulogne. Date not known.
Died in No.2 Australian General Hospital. Boulogne. 30/4/17.
Buried in Wimereux Communal Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.
Awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
In the event of his death, Thomas nominated his mother Ann G., brother Dick, sister-in-law Mrs. R. Holyoak, brother John William Logan and brother Frederick as his legatees.
On Friday May 25th 1917, The Midland Mail, established as “Market Harborough Mail.” published the following article on page 5 under the heading. – LOCAL WAR ITEMS. – Market Harborough and District. – Mrs. Fred Holyoak (widow), of White-street, has been officially notified that her son, Pte. Thomas Holyoak, of the Devons, died in hospital at Boulogne on April 30th, following wounds sustained whilst in action. He was a Kibworth Town footballer, and one of the team that won the shield. He was 27 years of age. Mrs. Holyoak has three sons in France.
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