Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Thomas Norton Rouse, a domestic groom, born 1855 in Market Overton, Rutland, and his wife Mary Ann Rouse (nee Thorold, married 1875), born 1856 in Whitwell, Rutland. Tom Arthur was born in 1890 in Market Overton, Rutland, his siblings were, Fanny, a dressmaker’s apprentice, born 1876, Lizzie, a schoolgirl, born 1878, Frederick, a schoolboy, born 1879, John Henry, a schoolboy, born 1881 and Alfred, a schoolboy, born 1882, the latter five siblings were all born in Whitwell, Rutland, Eveleen, a schoolgirl, born 1884 and Rose Agnes, born 1887, the latter two siblings were both born in Exton, Rutland, and Edith, born 1888 in Market Overton, Rutland, in April 1891 the family home was at Ashwell Road, Market Overton, Rutland. In March 1901 Tom was residing in the family home at The Rectory, Market Overton, Rutland together with his parents and siblings, Agnes, Edith, Hilda, born 1892, Edward, born 1893, Martin Herbert, born 1894, Daisy, born 1897 and Rupert, born 1900, the latter five siblings were all born in Market Overton, Rutland. In April 1911 Tom was employed as a wagoner and was residing as a boarder at Birkett’s Lodge, Tickencote, Rutland. Before the war he had been a gardener, being four years in service at The Quarry, Lincoln. Enlisting on the outbreak of war from Colonel Johnson’s, Farnack Hall, Derbyshire, he went on foreign service about the 3rd July 1915, proceeding to the Dardanelles, taking part in the Suvla Bay landing, where he was reported “missing, believed killed.” His brother Martin Herbert also fell. On Friday March 19th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – MARKET OVERTON’S ROLL CALL. – The following men from Market Overton are serving their King and country: - Major Wingfield, D.S.O. (Coldstream Guards), Lieut. J. Parson, M.D. (R.A.M.C.), R. Salusbury (Sussex Yeomanry), Lancelot C. W. Salusbury (Mounted Rifles, in South Africa), Hy. T. W. Salusbury (South African Defence Force), Corpl. G. Pridden (R.E.), Pte. M. Rouse (2nd Life Guards), John Kettle and Harry Kettle (in the Navy), Pte. A. Darby (Suffolk Regiment), Tom Rouse (Sherwood Foresters), Edgar Parker ( City of London Royal Fusiliers), E. Atkins, A. Jeffs, G. Clow, E. Rouse, W. Freeman, A. Preston, F. Kettle and J. H. Goodman (9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment), C. Whittle (A.S.C.), Pte. W. Presgrave (Leicestershire Yeomanry), Pte. H. Orgill (Rutland Territorial’s), Gunner W. Freestone (R.F.A.), Driver’s T. Barrett, A. J. Woodbine and G. H. Newbolt (A.S.C.), Pte. W. Errington (Coldstream Guards). The above now number twenty eight – as good a record, according to percentage of population, as any village in the county.