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Percy Thom Sergeant 30347 36th Battery Royal Field Artillery was a soldier before WW1. He earned the 1914 Star and was discharged in 1918 with 15 years service.
Percy Thom 1884-1934
Sergeant 30347 36th Battery Royal Field Artillery
Percy Thom Sergeant 30347 36th Battery Royal Field Artillery was a soldier before WW1. He earned the 1914 Star and was discharged in 1918 with 15 years service.
Percy Thom was the son of John Thom and Esther Jane nee Bye. He was born on 6 Oct 1884 in Shoreditch, London. Percy enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery as Gunner 303487 on 29th January 1903 age 18 years and joined the regiment at Woolwich the next day.
He was described as being 18 years and 6 months old, of 5 feet 6¼ inches in height, weighing 134lbs, with a chest size of 33½ inches reaching 26 inches when expanded. He had a fresh complexion, grey eyes and fair hair. He had dots on his left forearm and a mole on his right buttock. He was fit for duty.
He passed his instruction to be promoted to Corporal on 8 Aug 1904 and was appointed to the rank of Bombardier on 15 Sep 1904 but reverted to Gunner after misconduct on 18 January 1905. He was put into the reserves 29 January 1906, a year after gaining his 1st good conduct badge.
Percy married Pollie Piggott on 5 Jan 1908 at Haggeston, Shoreditch, London, England whilst he was in the reserves. They had at least five children before he was recalled to the army in 1914:
- Percival John Thom about 1908
- Frank Kenneth Thom a twin born 22 Nov 1909
- Mary Louise Thom a twin born 22 Nov 1909
- Frederick Charles Thom 21 Dec 1910
- Elsie Cathleen Thom 2 Dec 1914
At the start of World War One he was mobilised on 5 August 1914 and on 25 Sep 1914 he was promoted to Bombardier and Corporal on the same day.
His service records that he was accused of deserting at Havre, France on 7 Nov 1914. He was assigned to the reserves on 10 Aug 1914. He was tried, convicted and sentenced to be reduced to the ranks on 12 July 1916. This reduced his long service by 1 year and 248 days. He must have objected to being in the reserves whilst the war was raging in France. Why would he desert then re-enlist and use his real name otherwise?
On 1 Nov 1915 he was promoted to Corporal and Acting Sergeant on the same day. On 7 Aug 1916 he was posted to the British Expeditionary Force with the 36th Battery. On joining the 8th Division Ammunition Column he relinquished his appointment and reverted to the rank of Corporal.
On 29th Jul 1917 he was appointed Acting Sergeant and promoted to Sergeant on the same say.
He was discharged as unfit for service on 16 Aug 1918 with 15 years and 200 days service contributing towards his pension. He was entitled to Silver War Badge number 439,668 as he was discharged with sickness under Kings Regulations.
He was entitled to the 1914 ‘Mons’ Star due to his first engagement on 6 Nov 1914 and the British War and Victory medals.
Percy died in 1934.
Military History Sheet
Country |
From |
To |
Years |
Days |
Home |
29 Jan 1903 |
|
13 |
190 |
France |
|
4 Apr 1918 |
1 |
241 |
Home |
5 Apr 1918 |
16 Aug 1918 |
|
134 |
|
|
|
15 |
200 |
Certificates of education:
3rd Class 16 October 1903
2nd Class 26 March 1904
Passed classes of instruction
For promotion to Corporal 8 Aug 1904
Campaigns: British Expeditionary Force France 1914 1916, 1917, 1918
Wounded: Gunshot Wound Head Confused. Sev: 25 March 1918 (B103 shows accidental injured on duty)
Medals: European War 1916, 1917, 1918
Name and address of next of kin:
Mother Esther Thom 5 Brunswick Square, Shoreditch, E. 62 Broke Rd, Dalston. Older Brother George, Holly St. Younger Brother: Frank & Frederick. Wife with husband 97a Havershall Road, Balham
Particulars as to Marriage
Spouse: Pollie Piggott (Spinster)
Place of marriage: Haggeston, London 5 Jan 1908
Minister: G H Wooley
Witnesses: John Piggott, Louie Halsey
Date of being placed on Married Roll: Whilst in A Reserves
Children:
- Mary Louise, born: 22 Nov 1909 Stockwell
- Frank Kenneth, born: 22 Nov 1909 Stockwell
- Frederick Charles, born: 21 Dec 1910 Fulham
- Elsie Cathleen, born: 2 Dec 1914 Fulham
Statement of Services of No. 30347 Name: Percy Thom
Service towards limited engagement reckons from 29 Jan 1903
Joined at Woolwich on 30 Jan 1903
Royal Field Artillery |
1 Depot |
Attested |
Gunner |
29 Jan 1903 |
|
61 |
Posted |
Gunner |
19 May 1903 |
|
|
Appointed |
Acting Bombardier |
15 September 1904 |
|
|
Granted |
Class 1 |
15 September 1904 |
|
|
|
Service Pay @ 6d |
15 September 1904 |
|
|
Reverted (misconduct) |
Gunner, deprived of service pay @ 6d on reversion |
18 January 1905 |
|
|
Granted |
1st Good Conduct Badge |
29 January 1905 |
Army Reserve |
Section B |
Transferred |
Gunner |
29 January 1906 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mobilized at Hilsea |
|
5 Aug 1914 |
|
|
Posted |
|
7 Aug 1914 |
|
129 |
Posted |
Gunner |
7 Aug 1914 |
Surplus |
|
Posted |
Gunner |
10 Aug 1914 |
Details |
36 |
Posted |
Gunner |
11 Aug 1914 |
|
|
Promoted |
Bombardier |
|
|
|
Promoted |
Corporal |
25 Sept 1914 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deserted at Havre. Found to have fraudulently enlisted as above whilst belonging to 36 Battery Royal Field Artillery wherein he deserted as No. 30347, Percy Thom. Deserted therefrom |
7 Nov 1914 |
DC 116 |
|
|
Tried convicted & sentenced to be reduced to the ranks. All former service forfeited on conviction of. Services towards Limited Engagement reckons from 12 July 1916. Service not allowed to reckon 1 year 248 days. |
12 July 1916 |
RFA |
6 Depot |
Posted |
Gunner |
27 Nov 1914 |
23rd Division Artillery |
|
Posted |
Gunner |
6 Dec 1914 |
B/102 |
Brigade |
Appointed |
Acting Corporal |
3 July 1915 |
|
|
Reverted |
Bombardier |
20 July 1915 |
3rd Reserve |
Brigade |
Posted |
Bombardier |
14 Aug 1915 |
|
|
Appointed |
Acting Corporal |
29 Sep 1915 |
|
|
Promoted |
Corporal |
1 Nov 1915 |
|
|
Appointed |
Acting Sergeant |
1 Nov 1915 |
4th Reserve Brigade |
|
Posted |
Acting Sergeant |
1 Aug 1916 |
British Expeditionary Force |
|
Posted |
Acting Sergeant |
7 Aug 1916 |
36 Battery |
|
Posted |
Acting Sergeant |
12 Aug 1916 |
8 Division Ammunition Column |
|
Relinquishes Appointment & Posted |
Corporal |
4 Dec 1916 |
|
|
|
Continued in the Service under the Military Service Act 1918. (less 2) from 29 Sep 1916 |
Date of Date of quashing |
|
|
|
Bounty allowed under Army Order 209 of 1916 £20-0-0, credited for present issue £6-13-4, Balance to be issued subsequently £13-6-8 |
|
RFA 8th DAC |
|
Appointed |
Acting Sergeant |
29 Jul 1917 |
RFA 8th DAC |
|
Promoted |
Sergeant |
29 Jul 1917 |
Clearing Office |
|
|
|
|
|
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Discharged Physically Unfit Para, 392 (XVI) Kings Regulations |
Sergeant |
16 Aug 1918 |
Total service towards engagement to 16 Aug 1918 (dated of discharge) is 15 years 200 days. Service towards pension 15 years 200 days.
Short Service Attestation 29th January 1903 at London
Attestation of No. 30347 RFA Name: Percy Thom, Corps: Royal Field Artillery
Name: Percy Thom, born Shoreditch, London, Middlesex. British Subject aged 18 years and 3 months.
Regiment: Royal Regiment of Artillery & Royal Horse
Description of Percy Thom on Enlistment
- Age: 18 years 6 months
- Height: 5 feet 6 ¼ inches
- Weight 134 lbs
- Chest: 33 ½ inches reaching 36 maximum expansion
- Complexion: fresh
- Eyes: Grey
- Hair: Fair
- Church of England
- Distinctive marks: Dots left forearm mole right buttock
Certificate of Medical Examination
I have examined the above-named recruit and find that he does not present any of the causes of rejection specified in the Regulations for Army Medical Services.
He can see the required distance with either eye: his heart and lungs are healthy: he has the free use of his joints and limbs, and he declares that he is not subject of fits of any description.
I consider his fit for the Army.
Date 29th Jan 1903
Place London
L A Irvine Lt. Col. Medical Officer
Certificate of Primary Medical Examination
I hereby certify that the above-named recruit was inspected by me, and I consider him fit for service in the ROYAL REGIMENT OF ARTILERY (ROYAL HORSE & ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY) and that due care has been exercised in his enlistment.
Date 29th Jan 1903
Place London.
H F Dawson Capt, Recruiting Staff Officer
Roll of Individuals entitled to the “War Badge”
Regimental No. |
Rank |
Name |
Unit |
Badge No |
Date of Enlistment |
Date of Discharge |
Cause of Discharge |
Served Overseas |
30,347 |
Sergeant |
Percy Thom |
8 DAC |
439,668 |
29 Jan 1903 |
16 Aug 1918 |
Sickness Age: 33 Para. 392(xvi) Kings Regulations Army Order ii 2 (a)(i) |
Yes |
No. RA/2232 12 Aug 1918,
Woolwich, 8 August 1918
Medals
ROLL OF INDIVIDUALS entitled to the Victory Medal and/or British War Medal
Regimental Number |
Rank |
Name |
Units and Corps |
Remarks |
30347 |
Sergeant |
THOM Percy |
RFA 30347 Sgt. |
Discharged Physically Unfit 16 Aug 1918 |
Woolwich, 17 July 1920
Medal Index Card
Campaign: 1914 Star | (A) Where decoration was earned | |||||
(B) Present situation | ||||||
Name | Corps | Rank | Reg. No. | Roll on which included (if any) | ||
(A) THOM | 33rd Brigade RFA | Corporal | 30347 | Medal | Roll | Page |
Victory | RFA/334B | 42096 | ||||
(B) Percy | – ditto – | Sergeant | – ditto – | British | – do – | – do – |
14 Star | RFA/36 | 55 | ||||
Action taken | ||||||
Silver War Badge List RA/2232 | ||||||
Qualifying Date | 6 Nov 1914 | |||||
Correspondence |