Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Joseph Radford, born 1854 in Derby and his wife Betsy Ann Radford (nee Foster, formerly Randle, married on the 19th November 1876 in the Parish Church, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire), born 9th July1851 in Paulerspury, Northamptonshire. Thomas was born in the 2nd quarter of 1879 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, he had a half blood sibling, Mary Ann Randle, a schoolgirl, born 1870 in Lowe, Warwickshire, and his siblings were Ellen, born 1878 and Alfred, born 1881, the latter two siblings were both born in Melton Mowbray, in April 1881 the family home was at Timber Hill, Melton Mowbray. In April 1891 Thomas was residing in the family home at 11, Ann Street, Melton Mowbray, together with his father, an iron labourer, his mother and siblings, Mary, a domestic servant, Ellen, Alfred, Ben, born 1882, Charles, born 1884 and Arthur, born 1889, the latter three siblings were all born in Melton Mowbray. On the 24th December 1898, Thomas married Sarah Siddall in the Parish Church, Melton Mowbray. In March 1901 Thomas was employed as a railway labourer and was residing in the family home at 8, Ann Street, Melton Mowbray, together with his wife Sarah, born 1879 in Chesterfield, Derbyshire and their daughter, Annie, born 8th January 1901 in Melton Mowbray. In April 1911 Thomas was employed as a foundry labourer and was residing in the family home at 75, Norman Street, Melton Mowbray, together with his wife and children, Annie, a schoolgirl, Frederick William, a schoolboy, born 24th March 1903 and Elsie, born 14th October 1905, the latter two children were both born in Melton Mowbray. Thomas’s mother was previously married on the 9th February 1870 in Coventry, Warwickshire to John Randle with whom they had a daughter, Mary Ann, Thomas’s half blood sibling.
Thomas attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (For the Duration of the War.) on the 13th July 1915 in Melton Mowbray. He gave his home address as 5, Norman Street, Melton Mowbray, his age as 36 years and 117 days and his trade or calling as general labourer. He confirmed that he was married and also that he had served previously with the Leicestershire Territorial’s. He gave his wife, Sarah Radford of 5, Norman Street, Melton Mowbray, as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 6½ inches in height, and he had a chest measurement of between 34 and 35½ inches. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 21936 on the 13/7/15. Posted to the 10th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 31/7/15. Posted to Barnard Castle on the 21/8/15. Posted to Rugeley Camp on the 2/11/15. Embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 22/12/15. Posted to the 6th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 22/12/15. Joined the 37th Infantry Brigade Deport at Etaples on the 22/12/15. Posted to the 4th Entrenching Battalion, in the field on the 23/1/16. Joined the 6th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, in the field on the 1/2/16. Admitted to the 32nd Casualty Clearing Station suffering from myalgia, in the field on the 5/4/17. Transferred to 21st D.R.S on the 5/4/17. Admitted to 2nd Canadian General Hospital in Le Treport on the 8/4/17. Transferred to 12th Infantry Brigade Deport at Calais on the 6/5/17. Rejoined 6th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, in the field on the 21/5/17. Thomas was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals. Thomas’s surviving service documents are in a very poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the Army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
The War Diary records: 28 Mar-18 - Same positions, some casualties through shelling. During the day orders came through that we should probably withdraw to HEILLY and that the 110th Brigade Company (300 strong) would join the 110th Brigade Battalion and all become one part under Major J. C. BURDETT. About 10.00 pm withdrew to HEILLY. Under orders from 3rd Australian Division.
On Friday April 26th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – LOSSES IN THE BIG BATTLES. – HEAVY MELTON CASUALTIES. – LOCAL SOLDIERS KILLED. – Official reports which have come to hand during the past week show that heavy casualties have been sustained amongst the Melton lads during the recent great German offensives. Quite a number of local soldiers have lost their lives, and the utmost sympathy will be extended to the bereaved relatives and friends. It is obviously impossible for us to ascertain all the local casualties which have been notified, and we shall esteem it a favour if our readers will acquaint us as early as possible after receiving information concerning the fate of their relatives at the front. Many rumours have been widely circulated which, upon inquiry, have proved unfounded, but quite a number of wives and parents are experiencing considerable anxiety because they have not heard from their husbands and sons for several weeks.
Official news reached Mrs. Radford, 75, Norman-st., Melton Mowbray, towards the end of last week that her husband, Pte. Thomas Radford, Leicester’s, had been killed in action. Capt. W. Hawkins, of the Infantry Records Office, Lichfield, writing as follows: “April 17th, 1918. Madam, It is my painful duty to inform you that a report has this day been received from the War Office notifying the death of No. 21936 Pte. T. Radford, Leicestershire Regt., killed in the field on the 28th March, 1918, and I am to express to you the sympathy and regret of the Army Council at your loss. The cause of death was killed in action.” A letter received by Mrs. Cragg, Thorpe Arnold, from her husband, Pte. J. J. Cragg, of the Leicester’s, stated that Pte. Radford was killed instantly by a piece of shell which went through his head. Deceased was 39 years of age, and leaves a widow and three children. Prior to enlistment in July 1915, he was employed at Holwell Works and went out to the front the following December. He only returned to France six weeks last Friday, after being home on leave. His three brothers are all on service abroad.
On Friday May 10th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – OFFICIAL CASUALTY LISTS. – In a lengthy official list of Leicestershire Regiment casualties published on Wednesday were the following:- Killed: Radford, 21936 T. (Melton Mowbray).