Private 17803 Thomas Sutton, MM

Killed in Action on Friday, 14th December 1917, age 24.
Buried in Grave XX. D. 5. at Loos British Cemetery, Loos, Pas De Calais, France.

'C' Company of 7th Bn., South Staffordshire Regiment. 33rd Brigade of 11th Division.

Son of Mr C. Sutton, of 18, Ocker Hill Rd., Tipton, Staffs.
Born: Tipton, Enlisted: Tipton, Resident: Unknown.

First landed Balkans, 5th December 1915.
Medal entitlement: Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Soldier's Papers at National Archives did not survive.

Commemorated on the Tipton Library, and St. Mark's memorials.
Commemorated here because he appears on a Tipton memorial.

Link to Commonwealth War Graves Site: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/562786/

Genealogical Data

Birth of Thomas Sutton registered June quarter 1893 in Dudley.

1901 Census
2 Malthouse Row, Tipton, Staffs.
Charles Sutton (37, Widower, Boatman, born Cheshire), and 4 of his children: Elizabeth (12, born Tipton), Charles (11, born Tipton), Thomas (8, born Tipton), and Louisa (4, born Tipton).

1911 Census
10 Hurst Lane, Tipton, Staffs.
Charles Sutton (48, Boatman Captain, born Hanley), his wife Jane (55, married 8 years, born Bewdley), and 2 of Charles' children - Jane was his second wife: Thomas (18, Boatman Mate, born Tipton), and Louisa (15, Domestic Servant, born Tipton).

Personal Data

After Thomas' death, his outstanding army pay and allowances amounted to £9/0/3d (9 pounds and 3 pence); this was paid to his father, Charles, in June 1918. His War Gratuity was £13/0/0d (13 pounds exactly), this was also paid to his father in November 1919. The value of the War Gratuity suggests that Thomas had enlisted in March 1915.

Action resulting in his death

Thomas would have volunteered in 1915 as it was not until 5th December 1915 that he arrived at the Gallipoli campaign, just as the withdrawal was about to commence on 18th December. The 7th South Staffs, as part of 11th (Northern) Division, then served in Egypt before arriving in France in July 1916.

The Division saw hard fighting on the Somme in 1916 including the capture of the Wundt-Werk, and the Battles of Flers and Thiepval. In 1917 the Division moved to Belgium and saw action in the Battles of Messines, Langemarck, Polygon Wood, Broodseinde, and Poelcapelle.

Ashcroft's History of the Seventh South Staffs records: "Early in the second week of December we relieved the Borders, and took over the front line from Railway to Conductor Trench (Cite St. Pierre, Lens sector) with one company, the other three companies being disposed of in depth in the rear. After a few days it began to snow and for the whole of our time the ground was covered by a mantle of white. The trenches for many yards were levelled daily by enemy trench mortars. Indeed, one morning about 11 o'clock, they put down a barrage on the front company headquarters, and put up some remarkably good shooting - not appreciated."

It is possible that Thomas Sutton fell victim to these trench mortar attacks on the 14th December; he is buried in Loos British Cemetery.

From the 7th South Staffs War Diary entry for November 1st 1917:
The notification of awards of the Military Medal to the following N.C.O.s and men was received from 33rd Infantry Brigade: -
Pte. SUTTON T. (amongst others)

Ashcroft's 'History of the Seventh South Staff's: 1783 Pte T Sutton won his Military Medal at Poelcapelle 1917, with 'C' Company.

Newspaper Cuttings

Birmingham Daily Post 24th August 1917
RANK AND FILE: MIDLANDS MEN.
The following casualties amongst warrant officers, non-commissioned officers, and men are reported under various dates:
Wounded.
South Staffordshire Regiment- Sutton, 17803, T., (Tipton).

Dudley Chronicle, 19th January 1918.
T. Sutton, 17803, South Staffords, is reported killed.

Tipton Herald 21st December 1918
In Memoriam
SUTTON - In fond remembrance of my darling brother, killed December 15th 1917. Always remembered by sister Loo and fiancée (Ted).
also
In Memoriam
SUTTON - In loving memory of our dear son Tom, South Staffs Regiment. Deeply mourned by mother, dad and nephew Joey.