212682 Pte. Thomas Clark British Army 9th Btn. (Machine Gun) Y company Northumberland Fusiliers from:Coney Garth, Bothal, Morpeth (d.1st Aug 1943) This is some information I found out about my grandfather's brother who joined up and went off to war. He was in the 9th Machine Gun Regiment in the Northumberland Fusiliers. He came from a small village called Coney Garth, Bothal, near town of Morpeth.
I have found out a lot of information from relatives about my great uncle and this has increased my admiration of what he did. I have also read letters he wrote home during basic training and while serving overseas. Regrettably he died a POW after the fall of Singapore. I have also received a photo of his grave from the commonwealth war graves, which was a fantastic surprise. I was purely wanting to share my findings with yourselves and anyone else researching into military ancestors. For me the following was very relevant.
He trained in the UK, then was shipped to numerous areas until finally docking in Singapore, he saw action for weeks and was also injured while manning a Lewis Machine gun, from records I have found, he manned the gun until orders were given to fall back. When I found out he died a POW and under the conditions it was an emotional experience for me, even though I've never seen pictures of him as a man, (only as a child) I felt, by digging through and finding out what he went through, an emotional connection. I also lay a wreath every year at Bothal Village church (next to the War Memorial) in honour of his memory. He gave his life today for our tomorrow, and I can never imagine what he went through as a young man.
He is buried ay Chungkai in Siam.
I have total admiration and feel proud of what he did during the war.
Information i would love to find out is, when was he injured, where was e injured and what was happening at the time. Not sure if anyone can help point me in the right direction to get this kind of information, anything would be much appreciated
|