Thomas William Henry Drinkwater was known to have lived in Chorley, and attended St. Peter’s Church in the town.
He was also known to have been wounded sometime during the war. The Chorley Guardian of the 6th July 1918 carried an ‘In Memoriam’ piece for ‘Pal’ Private 15448 Richard Pendlebury, placed there by Thomas Drinkwater.
The Census records for 1891 recorded a Thomas W. Drinkwater (born Wigan 1881) living with his parents at 7 Furness Yard, Ince-in-Makerfield; his father being a “Canal Bank Ranger”. The 1901 Census showed a Thomas Drinkwater (occupation “Boatman”) living at Higher Copthurst at Whittle-le-Woods, adjacent to the Leeds-Liverpool Canal.
Thomas married Margaret Wells at St. John’s Church at Whittle-le-Woods in 1902; they had a son – Ernest Ernest born in 1914. The 1911 Census recorded Thomas as being born in Lowton and working as a Canal Boatman, living at 101 Botany Brow in Chorley. He was known to have worshipped at St. Peter’s Church in Chorley.
