BORN – Oswestry
HOMEFRONT – Place / Occupation / Christ Church
UNIT – 5 Bn King’s Shropshire Light Infantry
RANK – Private 11034
THEATRE – Somme. / Delville Wood. 5 Bn King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. 24 August 1916.
DIED – KIA 24 August 1916. Aged 35.
BURIED – Delville Wood Cemetery. (CWGC)
Thomas Roberts was born in 1881 at Oswestry. No details can be found about him in the census and all information is based on military and CWGC records. His father was William Roberts who, at the time of the war, was living on Beatrice Street, Oswestry, Thomas was living at Whittington. Thomas enlisted at Oswestry in 5 Bn King’s Shropshire Light Infantry – probably one of the first to volunteer in August 1914. It is possible, given his age at the time of 32, that he was a reservist or former soldier having previously served in either the Regular or Territorial forces. He went over to France on 22 May 1915 with 5 Bn KSLI. He was KIA on 24 August 1916 at Delville Wood during the Somme Offensive. He is buried in Delville Wood Cemetery. Thomas is also, possibly, commemorated on the war memorial at Christ Church, Oswestry.
Killed same day and action
Acknowledgements.
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