BERRY, Thomas Pte. 15526

Thomas Berry

Thomas Berry

Thomas Berry  was, according to the 1891 Census and Soldiers who died in the Great War database, born in Heath Charnock in 1889; however, the 1911 Census records him as being born in Rivington.

He was one of ten children born to James and Sophia (nee King). In 1911 Thomas was living with his father at 66 Harpers Lane in Chorley and married Margaret Rutter at St. Paul’s Church in Adlington in 1914, setting up home at 43 Chorley Road in Heath Charnock; they had one daughter, Nellie, who was born in 1914. He worshipped at St. Paul’s as well as St. Peter’s in Chorley.

Upon enlisting in the Pals, Thomas was working at Lower Healey Bleachworks. He was killed at Serre on the 1st July 1916 – although he was only reported as missing and declared dead in April 1917.

Having no known grave, he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.