Thomas Wilding went with the Pals to Caernarvon for training in 1915, becoming a Stretcher Bearer and playing in the Battalion Band. He was one of the few Stretcher Bearers not to be wounded at Serre on the 1st July 1916 but was wounded on the 8th August – the Pals (or what was left of them) being in the Neuve Chapelle sector.
Thomas was born in Chorley in December 1890, one of five children to Caroline and Robert. He was living at 32 Duke Street in the town in 1901 and 46 Railway Road by 1911. He married June Gregson at St. Peter’s Church in 1913. Their first born, Thomas died in 1915 – possibly whilst Herbert was training with the Pals somewhere in the U.K.; they eventually had four other sons. He was known to have worshipped at St. James’s Church.
