Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Tom Alderman a blacksmith, born 1857 in Stathern, Leicestershire and his wife Fanny Alderman (nee Cooke, married in the 1st quarter of 1877 in the Nottingham district) born 1855 in Long Clawson, Leicestershire. Tom Joseph was born in the 1st quarter of 1893 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire and was baptised on the 18th November 1894 in the parish church, Melton Mowbray, his siblings were Florence Annie, born 1877, Mary Ellen, born 9th July 1879, Emily Elizabeth, a dressmaker, born 1885 and Frederick, born 23rd September 1888, all his siblings were born in Melton Mowbray, also residing in the family home was Tom’s Nephew, Sydney Thomas. Haines, born 1901 in Melton Mowbray, in March 1901 the family home was at 6, Queen Street, Melton Mowbray. In April 1911 Tom was employed as an assistant grocer and was residing in the family home at 6, Queen Street, Melton Mowbray, together with his father, a shoeing smith and his mother. Tom was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
On Friday October 18th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – MELTON SOLDIER KILLED. News has reached Mrs. Alderman, Queen-street, Melton Mowbray, that her son, Pte. Tom J. Alderman, Tank Corps, had been killed in action. On Friday morning she received the following letter from his commanding officer: “6th October, 1918. Dear Mrs. Alderman. – It is with great sorrow that I write to tell you of the death of your son, who was killed in action on the 3rd of this month. He was driving a tank at the time, and the tank received two direct hits from shells in quick succession, the first of which killed him. The tank was set fire to, and the officer in charge and several of the crew were wounded. Sergt. Smith, who was in the tank, succeeded in rescuing your son from the tank, and the next morning he took a party up and buried him. His grave lies in the N.E. corner of --- village. We all feel his loss very much, as he was always such a cheery man, and his crew was one of the happiest in the Company; also he was one of the best drivers amongst us. I know I am expressing the feeling of all the Company, and particularly No. 1 Section, in telling you how deeply we feel for you in your bereavement and how we share your grief with you. Sergt. Smith, who was very friendly with your son, has just gone to England on duty, and he told me he would endeavour to visit you, but if his duty does not allow him time to do so you might like to know his address where to write, so I send it. I shall be glad to be of any assistance to you if I can. With deep sympathy, Yours truly, A. Calder, Captain.” This was followed on Saturday morning by another letter from the Sergt. referred to, as under: “7th October, 1918. Dear Mrs. Alderman. It is with deep regret that I am writing to inform you of the death of your son and my comrade, Pte. T. J. Alderman, in action on the morning of the 3rd inst. It is but slight consolation for you to know that he did not suffer, being killed instantaneously, a shell striking the side of
the tank. Really, dear Mrs. Alderman, I cannot express in words how sorry I am to be the one to send you this sad news, but knowing how anxious you will be, and the possible delay in hearing from the War Office, I thought it best to write. Tom was a member of my crew for some considerable time. He was a splendid fellow, and liked by everyone in the Company. I am expecting to be in “Blighty” in the course of a few days, and give my address in case you want to write to me. The other survivors of my crew and I buried him the following day. Once again expressing my sorrow, I remain, Dear Mrs. Alderman Yours sincerely, Arthur William Smith, Sergt.” Deceased who was 25 years of age on the 12th December last, joined up in October, 1916, and went to France in July, 1917. He first enlisted in the Motor Transport, and was transferred to the Tank Corps. For several years he was in the employ of the Melton Mowbray Co-operative Society, and during the latter part of the time managed the Nottingham-street branch, his unfailing courtesy to the customers causing him to be much liked. He also assisted his mother during his spare time with her books and in the management of her shoeing business. His brother Fred was mobilised in 1914 with the Leicestershire Yeomanry, of which he had been a member for some years, and is now Staff Sergt in the Shoeing Smith Section of the A.S.C. He is at present at home on leave. His other brother Edward, was in Canada at the outbreak of hostilities and came over with the Canadians, now being a shoeing smith at the base.
And in the same issue under the heading: - “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – DEATHS. ALDERMAN. – Killed in action whilst driving a Tank, Oct 3rd, 1918, Driver Tom Alderman, the dearly beloved son of the late T. Alderman and of Mrs. Alderman, Melton Mowbray, aged 25 years.
And in the same issue under the heading: - “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – THANKS. Mrs. T. Alderman and family wish to thank all kind friends for letters and expressions of sympathy in their bereavement.