Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Tom Goodman Granger, a shoe trade finisher, born on the 1st April 1863 in Oadby, Leicestershire (son of Thomas Granger, 1828-1911 and Ann Goodman, 1828-1915) and his wife Mary Ann Granger (nee Tite, married on the 2nd August 1880 in St. Andrew’s Church, Leicester), born in the October quarter of 1866 in Primethorpe, Broughton Astley, Leicestershire and baptised on the 10th March 1861 in St. Mary’s Church, Broughton Astley (daughter of Samuel Tite, 1830 and Mary Dale, 1835). Tom was born on the 21st November 1889 in Oadby, his siblings were, Walter, a schoolboy, born 13th March 1881, Annie Dale G., a schoolgirl, born on the 25th March 1884, George, a schoolboy, born on the 9th February 1886, Lizzie, born on the 21st February 1888 and Harriett, born on the 13th January 1891, all his siblings were born in Oadby, in April 1891 the family home was at Main Road, Oadby. In March 1901 Tom was a schoolboy and was residing in the family home at Ward’s Yard, London Road, Oadby, together with his father a bricklayer’s labourer, his mother and siblings, Edmund, a schoolboy, born on the 6th April 1893 and Doris Irene, born 28th March 1899, the latter two siblings were both born in Oadby. In April 1911 Tom was absent from the family home at Ward’s End, London Road, Oadby, residing there was his father, a bricklayer’s labourer, his mother and siblings, George, a clerk, William, a grocer’s errand boy, Doris, a schoolgirl, Leslie Harold, a schoolboy, born on the 24th September 1901 and John Leonard, born on the 17th November 1902, the latter two siblings were both born in Oadby, Tom was serving as a Private with the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and was stationed at Fort Saint George, Madras, India. Tom’s family later moved to 4, London Road, Oadby.
Tom enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 27th September 1905 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 7786. He gave his place of birth as Oadby, Leicestershire and age as 18 years 10 months. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as shoe hand.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Leicester on the 27th September 1905 and recorded his birthplace as Oadby, Leicester, declared age as 18 years, trade or occupation as shoe hand, that he was 5-feet 9 inches in height, weighed 118½ lbs, had a chest measurement of between 32 and 35 inches and his physical development was described as good. Enlisted at Leicester on the 27th September 1905. Joined on enlistment Leicestershire Regt.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 18 years 10 months, height 5-feet 9 inches weight 118¼ lbs, chest measurement of between 32 and 35 inches his complexion was described as fresh, he had brown eyes and his hair colour was brown. The following distinctive marks were noted, large mole right side of neck, 2 more left side about 1 inch above inner end left collar bone, small circular scar outer aspect right arm 1 inch above the wrist. He gave his religion as Roman Catholic.
He was certified as fit for the Army. Date 27th September 1905. Place Leicester.
After six months service and gymnastic course his height was 5-foot 9½ inches, his weight was 126 lbs and had a chest measurement of 36 inches.
He gave his next of kin as his father, Tom, mother, Mary, brothers, Edward, William, sister, Lizzie, Wood farm, Oadby, Leicestershire.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Casualty Form – Active Service (B.103). Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Joined. At Leicester. 28/9/05.
Posted. To Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 28/9/05.
Transferred. To 2nd Bn. Leicestershire Regt., Colchester. Pte. 9/1/06.
Granted. Messing Allowance. 27/3/06
Transferred. To 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt., Shorncliffe. Pte. 20/9/06.
Granted. Class II Service Pay @ 4d. (Not eligible for additional pay after 5 years’ service). 27/11/06.
Transferred. To 2nd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 5/2/07.
Voyage to India. Per S.S. Plessy. 5/2/07 – 24/2/07.
Posted. To Belgaum. 28/5/07.
Forfeits all Service Pay under para 1084 K.R.W. 20/5/07.
Restored Service Pay Class II @ 4d. 10/9/07.
Awarded. 1st Good Conduct Badge. 27/9/07
Passed. Class in Mounted Infantry, Poona. 15/2/09.
Awarded. 2nd Good Conduct Badge. 27/9/10.
Posted. To Madras. 13/2/11.
Posted. Bareilly. 11/2/13.
Posted. To Ranikhet. 19/3/13.
Awarded. 3rd Class Army Certificate of Education. 30/6/13.
Posted. To Bareilly. 3/10/13.
Transferred. To Army Reserve with his consent. 7/2/14.
Mobilized. At Leicester. 5/8/14.
Posted. To 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 5/8/14.
Embarked. With 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt. 8/9/14.
Landed. St. Nazaire. 10/9/14.
Appointed. Lance Corporal (unpaid). 14/2/15.
Appointed. Lance Corporal (paid). 1/5/15.
Wounded in action. In the Field. 20/9/15.
Admitted. To 17th Field Ambulance, (accidental bomb wound to head and hands). In the Field. 20/9/15.
Transferred. To 10th Casualty Clearing Station. In the Field. 20/9/15.
Transferred. To 2nd Canadian General Hospital. 23/9/15.
Transferred. To England. 24/9/15.
Ceases to draw Lance Pay on admission to Hospital. 20/9/15.
Posted. To Depot Leicestershire Regt. 24/9/15.
Posted. To 3rd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. 23/10/15.
Died at Patrington suffering from injuries caused by being knocked down by Motor car. Coroner’s Inquest held and verdict of accidental death returned. 13/11/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 27/9/05 – 4/2/07. 1 year 131 days.
India. 5/2/07 – 5/2/14. 7 years 1 day.
Home Service. 6/2/14 – 8/9/14. 215 days.
France. 9/9/14 – 23/9/15. 1 year 15 days.
Home Service. 24/9/15 – 13/11/15. 51 days.
Total Service. 10 years 48 days.
He was awarded the 1914 Star with Clasp & Rose, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
On Friday September 24th, 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – Oadby Soldier Killed. – News reached Oadby yesterday morning of the death of Sergt. A. Illston, 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment. He was killed by a bomb explosion, which at the same time killed and wounded six others in the battalion. Private T. Grainger, also of Oadby, was one of the wounded. The latter was expecting to come home on furlough this week. Illston was a reservist, and was called up at the outbreak of the war. He resided at East-street, Oadby, and leaves a widow and one child.
On Monday, November 15th, 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – OADBY SOLDIER’S SAD DEATH. – In the gale a shocking motor fatality occurred at Patrington, near Withernsea, Hull, on Friday night about 9.30, to a soldier of the Leicester Regiment stationed in the village. The deceased, Lance-Corporal Grainger, belonging to Oadby, was in the street when he was knocked down by the motor car. He was seriously injured in the head, and expired early on Saturday morning.
On Thursday, November 18th, 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – MILITARY FUNERAL AT OADBY. – The interment of Lance-Corporal Thomas Grainger took place at Oadby Cemetery on Wednesday. The deceased, who was knocked down and killed by a motor, at Patrington near Hull, during the storm on Friday last, was a reservist, and was called up at the outbreak of hostilities. He had been in the thick of the fighting for 14 months, and was wounded by a bomb accident about six weeks ago. He was able to get home for a rest, and re-joined his depot at Patrington last month, where he met with the unfortunate accident which resulted in his untimely death. A sad feature of the case was that his mother received a postcard from him to say that he would probably get home for the week-end, and a few minutes later received a telegram informing her of his death. A detachment of the Leicestershire Regiment from Glen Parva Barracks, with full military band and firing party, attended the ceremony. Sergt. Major Guerr was in command of the men amongst whom was Private Buckingham, V.C. Large crowds of people witnessed the procession as it passed along the village street, the band playing funeral marches. The Rev I. Raine officiated at the service, the first portion of which was held in the Parish Church. A large number of residents attended at the graveside to pay their last respect to a brave Oadby lad. After the coffin which bore the inscription; “Lance-Corporal T. Grainger, aged 26 years,” had been lowered into the grave, three volleys were fired and the Last Post sounded. The chief mourners were the deceased’s mother and father, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Grainger, Gunner and Mrs. Walter Davis, Mr. and Mrs. George Grainger, Mr. and Mrs. Jeffries, Sergt. Ted and Miss Doris Grainger, Corporal and Mrs. Will Granger, Leslie Grainger and Mrs. S. Norman, Councillors L. Matthews and G. Wall. Floral emblems were sent by deceased’s mother, father and family, comrades and band of the 2nd Leicester’s, officers and comrades of the 3rd Leicester’s, Oadby Adult School, Mrs. Illston, and Mr. and Mrs. England.
On Friday November 19th 1915, The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “YORKSHIRE FATALITIES” – TWO LEICESTER MEN KILLED. By a curious coincidence, two men belonging to Leicester, met their deaths at Hull on Saturday, In the first case, Arthur James Holmes, 18, an ordinary seaman, of 22, Grafton-street, Leicester, who was attached to a vessel lying in the new King George Dock, at Hull, was discovered at 6.15 on Saturday morning, lying dead at the bottom of the dock. Deceased was last seen alive by a comrade, named Fred John Thomason who was on sentry duty near the ship, on the jetty, and to whom the deceased at about eight o’ clock on Friday night, brought a cup of tea. After that Holmes returned to the ship, and Thomason never saw him again until he discovered his dead body at dawn. Apparently, Holmes had been about again, and, as a terrible gale was blowing all night, he is surmised to have been blown off the edge of the jetty, to the bottom of the dock, a drop of 36ft. in the second case Lance-Corpl. Grainger, of the Leicester Regiment, who belonged to Oadby, in Leicestershire, was crossing a country road at Patrington, in East Yorkshire, when he was knocked down by a motor car. The injured soldier was removed to Patrington Hospital, where he expired. The inquest was held on Monday.
On Saturday December 18th, 1915, The Leicester Daily Mercury published the following article on page five, under the heading. – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – In a list of casualties received from the Base, Lance-Corporal T. GRAINGER, 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, previously reported wounded, is now reported to have died.
[recognitum XV-XI-MMXXII]