Private 31625 Thomas Henry Cartwright

Killed in Action Mesopotamia on Saturday, 10th February 1917, age 37.
Commemorated on Panel 17 of Basra Memorial, Basra, Iraq.

7th Bn., Gloucestershire Regiment. 39th Brigade of 13th Division.
Formerly 17760 7th Bn., North Staffordshire Regiment.

Husband of Mrs Hannah Cartwright, of 13 Drivers Row, Half Acres, Castleford, Yorkshire.
Born: Tipton, Enlisted: Castleford, Resident: Castleford.

First landed Balkans, 26th October 1915.
Medal entitlement: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Soldier's Papers at National Archives did not survive.

Not commemorated on any Tipton memorial.
Commemorated here because he was born in Tipton.

Link to Commonwealth War Graves Site: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/1656087/

Genealogical Data

Thomas Henry Cartwright was born on 28th April 1879 at Horseshoe Row, Tipton. His father was Benjamin Cartwright, a Coal Miner, and his mother Catherine Cartwright, née Bull. Within the next 2 years, the Cartwright family had moved to Dudley and that is the last known connection of Thomas Cartwright with Tipton.

1881 Census
48 Steppingstone Street, Dudley, Worcs.
Frederick Horton (30, Boiler Maker, born Brierley Hill), his nephew Benjamín Cartwright (24, Coal Miner, born Tipton), his wife Kate Cartwright (23, born Dudley), and their 3 children: Sophia (4, born Dudley), Thomas (2, born Dudley) and Benjamin (3 months, born Dudley).

1891 Census
Long Row, Glass Houghton, Castleford, Yorkshire.
In a 4-roomed house lived a total of 13 people. John Davis and his wife (both born Wolverhampton) and their 5 children, 2 other boarders, and Benjamin Cartwright, now widowed, and his 3 children.
Benjamin Cartwright (Widower, 35, Coal Miner, born Tipton) and his 3 children: Thomas (12, Scholar, born Tipton), Benjamin (10, born Dudley) and Frederick G. (7, born Dudley).

Marriage of Thomas Cartwright and Hannah Beardsmore registered in December quarter 1899 in Pontefract.

1901 Census
85 Regent Street, Castleford, Yorkshire.
Thomas Cartwright (23, Coal Hewer, born Tipton), his wife Hannah (21, born Castleford) and their son David (6 months, born Castleford). Also Frederick George Cartwright (Brother, 16, Pony Driver at Pit Bottom, born Tipton).

1911 Census
13 Drivers Row, Castleford, Yorkshire.
Thomas Cartwright (35, Coal Miner - Hewer, born Tipton), his wife Hannah (31, born Castleford) and their 5 children: David (10, School, born Castleford), Thomas (8, School, born Castleford), Ada (5, School, born Castleford), Elizabeth (2, born Castleford), and Kate (5 months, born Castleford). A further 2 children were born: John on 26th March 1912, and Frederick John on 19th November 1913.

Personal Data

After Thomas’s death, his outstanding army pay and allowances amounted to £6/5/7d (6 pounds, 5 shillings and 7 pence); in September 1918 this was paid as £5/1/7d (5 pounds, 1 shilling and 7 pence) to his widow Hannah, and 12/0d (12 shillings) each to his sons David and Thomas. His War Gratuity was £7/0/0d (7 pounds exactly), this was paid to his widow Hannah in December 1919. The value of the War Gratuity suggests that Thomas had enlisted in approximately July 1915.

Hannah Cartwright was granted a Widow's Pension of £1/13/9d (1 pound, 13 shillings and 9 pence) per week for herself and her 5 children under the age of 16, this was effective from 5th November 1917. A grant of £5/0/0d was paid on 14th June 1920.

Action resulting in his death

None yet.

Newspaper Cuttings

None.