211565 Pte. Thomas William King British Army 12th Btn. Suffolk Regiment from:London Tommy King was my wonderful father who was born in Bermondsey (London's East End) on March 25th 1894. He was educated at Holy Trinity Church school and his mother, Elizabeth King (nee Carr), cleaned the church most of her adult life. His father, John James King, was a Hop Porter. Dad used to talk about Peak Freans, Oxo etc. who were based in the East End too. Dad worked at some time on the docks. He was also (after the war) a wood block floor layer with a firm called Hollis Brothers from London.
Because he was scarcely five feet tall I suspect that he was in the Bantams. Following a brief period of training dad was sent to France in about October 1916 and was posted to Loos. He was severely injured when a grenade went off in his hand causing severe damage to his back and side, and the loss of a finger. Following emergency first aid on the front line he was brought back to England and spent some time at the Red Cross Convalescent home at Newlands Corner,near Guildford. From there he went with other soldiers to Shoreham. When the military staff considered that he was fit enough again they put him to work in the Labour Corps.
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