1885 - 1916
CPL David Wallace Crawford
1887 - 1916
Lce-Corpl John Joseph Nickle
1894 - 1916
Pte 17911 Morton Neill
1897 - 1916
Lieut Edward Stanley Ashcroft
1883 - 1918
Pte 15172 Thomas Blackhurst Willacy
- Age: 32
- From: Weston- Super-Mare
- Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
- Died Saturday 30th June 1917
- Commemorated at: Dozinghem M C
Panel Ref: I.B.8
Thomas Blackhurst Willacy was born in the March quarter of 1885 in Weston-Super-Mare, the son of John Willacy and his wife Dorothy (née Blackhurst). His parents married on the 22nd December 1875 at St John's Church, Birkenhead and had five children. Thomas was the youngest; his siblings were Robert, born in 1877, Mary Elizabeth born in 1879, Dora Jane born in 1881, and Helen Margaret born in 1882, all born in Weston Super Mare.
Thomas was baptised on the 21st June, 1885 at St John’s Anglican Church, Weston-Super-Mare. His parents were then living in Locking Road, and his father's occupation is given as surveyor.
His father was born in Bleasdale, Lancashire, in about 1845, and was appointed Town Surveyor of Weston Super Mare in 1875. He died of consumption on 18th December 1887 at the age of 43 when Thomas was two years old.
Probate 1888:-
WILLACY John, 24 January. The Will of John Willacy late of Weston-super-Mare in the county of Somerset Town, surveyor, who died 18 December 1887 at Weston-super-Mare was proved at Wells by Dorothy Willacy of Chestnut Villa, Weston-super-Mare, widow the Relict the sole Executrix. Personal Estate £166 9s 6d.
After his father's death, his mother moved the family to Birkenhead, where they are found in 1891 at 117 Bridge Street. His widowed mother is aged 45,and is a boarding house keeper, born in Preston, and she has five children at home, all at school; Robert is aged 14, Mary E. is aged 12, Dora J. is aged 10, Helen M. is aged 8, and Thomas is aged 6. Also in the household is his widowed grandmother, Mary Blackhurst, 74, from Lancaster, living on her own means.
In 1901 his grandmother, now 84, is head of household at 22 Balls Road, Birkenhead; living with her are his mother, 55 and her five children. Robert, 24, is a Corporation clerk, Mary, 22, has no occupation, Dora, 20, is a schoolteacher, Helen, 18, is a typist clerk, and Thomas is 16, a commercial clerk. They have a visitor, Samuel Williams, 31, from Middlesex.
The 1911 Census shows the family living at 13 Falcon Road, Birkenhead. His mother, Dorothy, is a widow aged 65, born 1846 in Preston has no occupation listed. She has three of her children living with her; Dora aged 30, born 1881 and is a teacher with the borough council, Helen aged 28, born 1883 is a typist and Thomas aged 26, born 1885 is a life insurance clerk. The children were all born in Somerset.
Thomas was a keen rugby player and represented Ashford House in many fixtures around the Wirral and Liverpool.
In 1908 he became Captain and was reported in the Birkenhead News on Saturday 25th April 1908;
RUGBY
Ashford House held their general meeting at the School House, Ashford-road. The officers elected were: Captain 1st XV., Mr. T. B. Willacy in place of Mr. B. Lees, who resigned; sub-captain, Mr. R. H. Bishop (re-elected); 2nd XV. captain, Mr. L. Dodd; sub-captain, Mr. W. D. Henderson; hon. secretary, Mr. R. Lees; hon. treasurer, Mr. W. Thomas; committee, Messrs. Barwise, Grundy, Glover, Goslyn, P. H. Jones, and Jenkinson. The season's record is a fairly good one, the 1st XV, having played 21 matches, of which 9 were won, 9 lost, and 3 drawn, for 12 goals 30 tries (144 points), against 16 goals 31 tries (169 points). As only three of the defeats have been suffered since November 9th it will be seen that the team has not been going backward; indeed, the victory over Eccles on, their own heath in the next to last match came as a surprise to most, and showed what the team is capable of. Some useful suggestions were discussed at the meeting, among them one re having a club cap and another that a goal-kicking competition should be held. These will receive further consideration next season.
Thomas enlisted in Liverpool soon after war broke out, at the beginning of September 1914. He joined the 17th Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 15172.
He was billeted at Prescot Watch Factory from 14th September 1914, he trained there and also at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 17th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain.
He played for the 1st City Battalion v 4th King's at Rugby Union for the War Relief Fund in November 1914 at Aigburth, Liverpool.
As reported in the Liverpool Daily Post on Saturday 21st November 1914;
A Rugby match in aid of the Liverpool War Relief Fund will be played on the ground of the Liverpool Rugby Football Club, at Aigburth, to-day, the contestants being teams representing the 4th Battalion The King's (Liverpool Regiment) and the 1st Battalion Liverpool City Regiment. The sides include a number of well-known players, and a capital tussle is certain. Soldiers in uniform are to be admitted free. Teams:-
4th King's. Private Millward: Sergeant Morrison. Private Egan, Private Whitfield, Second-Lieutenant Briggs; Second-Lieutenant Hughes, Second-Lieutenant Ballinger: Second-Lieutenant Applebeck, Second-Lieutenant Simmance, Second-Lieutenant Soden, Second-Lieutenant Boden, Second-Lieutenant Melly, Corporal Baises, Private Connor, Private Foster. 1st City. Private R. A. Smith: Private R. Heywood. Private S. Ashcroft, Private L. Ashcroft, Private W. A. Heyworth: Private F. Ashcroft, Private R. R. Maxwell; Second-Lieutenant H. D. Pain, Lieutenant J. N. Peck, Corporal N. Bussell, Private T. G. Paterson, Private C. K. Imison, Private W. Lea, Private T. B. Willacy, and Private W. Ashcroft.
He arrived in France with his battalion, disembarking at Boulogne on the 07th November 1915.
He died of disease (unspecified) at no.61 Casualty Clearing Station at Dozinghem, aged 32.
His death was reported in the Birkenhead News on Saturday 13th July1917:
CLAUGHTON HIGHER GRADE SCHOOL.
Roll of Honour.
The following old boys have risen to the occasion in the defence of their country, and have joined H.M. Forces. Mr. May believes there are many more, and he will be glad to receive their names. Some have already faced the ordeal at the front and on the sea, and are at home for a short time to recuperate.
Tom Willacy King’s Liverpool;
He now rests at Dozingham Military Cemetery, Westvleteren, Belgium.
Westvleteren was outside the front held by Commonwealth forces in Belgium during the First World War, but in July 1917, in readiness for the forthcoming offensive, groups of casualty clearing stations were placed at three positions called by the troops Mendinghem, Dozinghem and Bandaghem. The 4th, 47th and 61st Casualty Clearing Stations were posted at Dozinghem and the military cemetery was used by them until early in 1918. There are now 3,174 Commonwealth burials of the First World War in the cemetery and 65 German war graves from this period. The cemetery also contains 73 Second World War burials dating from the Allied withdrawal to Dunkirk in May 1940. The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield.
His death was reported in the Liverpool Echo on 23rd July 1917:
"June 30, died in France, Private Thos. B. Willacy, the dearly-beloved younger son of the late John Willacy of Weston Super Mare, and Mrs. Willacy, of Birkenhead."
Thomas earned his three medals.
His mother received his Army effects, Army Pay of £8 9s 4d and a War Gratuity of £13. She was awarded a pension of 15/- a week from January 1918.
In 1939 his mother, is aged 94, living on private means, and daughter Helen, is aged 57, are living at 68 Cavendish Drive, Birkenhead, with married daughter Dora.
Probate, giving his address as 68 Cavendish Drive, in the amount of £916-12s-6d was granted to her son Robert Willacy, retired local government officer.
Thomas is also commemorated on the following Memorials:
Birkenhead War Memorial
Liverpool's Hall of Remembrance, Panel 34.
Also
The family grave at Flaybrick Memorial Gardens, Birkenhead.
THOMAS BLACKHURST WILLACY,
Died In Action in France, 30 June 1917, Aged 32 Years.
Probate, giving his address as 13 Falcon Road, in the amount of £290-6s was granted to his mother.
In 1939 his mother, 94, living on private means, and daughter Helen, 57, are living at 68 Cavendish Drive, Birkenhead, with married daughter Dora.
His mother died, aged 94, on the 02nd October 1940.
We currently have no further information on Thomas Blackhurst Willacy, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.
Killed On This Day.
(109 Years this day)Sunday 22nd April 1917.
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Monday 22nd April 1918.
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