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For drawing our attention to this soldier, we are indebted to Adam Harland who sent us the image and much of the information we include here. Adam is the proprietor of Harland Military Antiques, and takes a special interest in items with local significance. We are pleased to attach this link to his own website, which is http://www.harlandmilitaryantiques.com
We cannot say why why Thomas Elstob does not figure on any Stokesley Monument as he was resident in the town when he fell. Adam has traced him from the 'Dead Penny' (properly known as the PLAQUE) which was issued to his mother as a mark of his sacrifice. We are glad to add his name to our list.
Rifleman 8023 Thomas Elstob, 7th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps.
Killed in Action 1st December, 1915
Thomas Elstob was born in South Bank Middlesbrough in 1886, the son of Thomas and Jane Ann Elstob. Thomas senior had been born in Greatham near Hartlepool in 1842, and according to the census, had the curious occupation of 'Mineral Water Traveller'. In other words he seems to have been an itinerant lemonade salesman!
At the time of the 1901 census, Thomas junior was working as a servant for the Atkinson family at 'Field House’ in Greatham, a farm that still exists today. (Perhaps his father's knowledge of the township helped him to gain employment there).
However, by 1911 Thomas senior had died and Thomas junior was again in South Bank - at 38 Coral Street - where he was living with his mother and two boarders. At this time, he was working for the Tees River Commission as a boiler stoker on a dredger.
Between 1911 and 1914, for reasons unknown1, Thomas and his mother moved to Stokesley to reside in Oakland’s Terrace. It is possible, though uncertain, that Thomas went back to working on the land as he had done previously with the Atkinson family.
When war came, Thomas Elstob enlisted in Stokesley and was assigned to the 7th Battalion of the Kings Royal Rifle Corps with service number R/8023. Sadly, his service papers haven't survived, but we know he landed in France on the 19th May 1915. By the end of the year he was serving as a machine gunner,
Rifleman Elstob fell on 1st December 1915, a victim of sniper fire whilst in the trenches. He lies in in grave I. C. 3. at LA BRIQUE CEMETERY No.2 in Belgium. and is recorded by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission as the son of Mrs J A Elstob of Oaklands Terrrace, Stokesley.
Thomas Elstob was awarded the British War Medal, the Victory Medal and the 1915 Star. He does not seem to feature on any Stokesley Memorial, but his name is commemorated on plaque 1 of the South Bank War Memorial.
His mother received compensation in the sum of £3 14s 10d in April 1916 and a further payment of £3 in August 1919. She died in Stokesley in 1925.
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