Pte 16617 Thomas Tabron

• Age: 21
• From: Seaforth, Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Saturday 8th July 1916
• Commemorated at: Peronne Rd Cem Maricourt
  Panel Ref: III.H.3

Thomas was born in November 1894 in Liverpool, the eldest of six children of Thomas William Tabron and his wife Mary Ann (née Rimmer), who were both born in Southport and their marriage registered in Ormskirk in 1893. They had three sons and three daughters:   Thomas, born in 1894, Arthur 1896, Nathan 1898, Mary Ann Amy 1899, Edwina 1902, and Elizabeth Evelyn in 1904. 

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 7 Green Lane, Seaforth. His father Thomas W. is aged 29, a railway signalman, mother Mary A. is aged 31, with children Thomas 6, born Waterloo, Arthur 5, born Southport, Nathan 2, born Seaforth, and Mary A. A. 6mths, born Seaforth. 

The 1911 Census shows the family have moved to 20 Green Lane, Seaforth. Parents, Thomas William aged 39, and Mary A. Tabron aged 43. They advised that they had been married for 17 years with 6 children born. All six children are declared in nthe household;  Thomas aged 16 is a shipping clerk, Arthur aged 14 is employed as an Estate Agents clerk, at school are Nathan 12, Mary Ann Amy 11, Edwina 6 and Elizabeth Evelyn 6. 

Thomas enlisted on the 09th September 1914, joining the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 16617. (His brother Arthur also enlisted in the 18th Battalion as Private 16847). Thomas gave his age as 19 years and 278 days but had no occupation listed. He was five feet four inches tall, weighed 110lbs, 34” chest, fresh complexion, brown eyes, brown hair and gave his religion as Church of England and next of kin his father Thomas, 20 Green Lane. 

From the 23^rd September 1914 he was billeted at Hooton Park Race Course and remained there until 03^rd December 1914 when they moved into the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 18th 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 arrived in France on 07th November 1915.

He was killed in action on the 08th July 1916 aged 21. 

Thomas’s service papers give an insight into the confusion which resulted from the fierce fighting on the Somme. A series of letters between the family and the War Office illustrate the experience of many other families. The Tabron family were initially informed that Thomas had died on 01st July and this prompted his brother, Nathan, to write on 11th September 1916.

“Your notification is wrong. He was seen on 8th July and so could not have been killed on 1st.”

He is referring to a letter dated 2nd August from Major R. M. Cornish Bowden, Officer Commanding 2 company, 18th KLR in which he states:

”I am extremely sorry to say that your son Tom is missing. On 8th July we were in support to a big action with the enemy and were subjected to a very heavy shellfire… calling the RM next morning two men were missing, one being your son. He was seen in the trench shortly before it was evacuated and his platoon said that just where they were there were no direct hits in the trench. Stretcher bearers were questioned and the trench was searched but no trace of your son was found. I hoped and still hope that he got slightly wounded and walked away to a CCS and that any day we will have news of him. To you, no doubt, it seems inconceivable that men can be missing in such a manner, but once having seen a battlefield it is a marvel that anyone is traced… Your son behaved well and came through the first action on July 1st untouched…If the worst has happened and he has fallen, believe me he would meet his end fighting valiantly for his country. Your other son in the Machine Gun Corps has been making enquiries but met with no success.”

Nathan also quotes from a letter which Tom sent to their mother dated 7th July 1916 :

“I know you are aware we have been in action, yes, and I am pleased to say that with the providence of God I have managed to get through all right….We had about 500 casualties and out of those almost 200 were killed. I could write pages if I had the time and if I were permitted but I am afraid the Censor would not pass it…I am glad to say that I am strong and well again and I hope this finds you all the same…PS I have just seen Arthur again – he’s alright – looks quite fit!”

Thomas is buried at Peronne Road Cemetery, Maricourt where his headstone bears the epitaph:

"FOREVER IN THE THOUGHTS OF THOSE WHO LOVED HIM AND KNEW HIM BEST"

Maricourt was, at the beginning of the Battles of the Somme 1916, the point of junction of the British and French forces, and within a very short distance of the front line; it was lost in the German advance of March 1918, and recaptured at the end of the following August.

The Cemetery, originally known as Maricourt Military Cemetery No.3, was begun by fighting units and Field Ambulances in the Battles of the Somme 1916, and used until August 1917; a few graves were added later in the War, and at the Armistice it consisted of 175 graves which now form almost the whole of Plot I. It was completed after the Armistice by the concentration of graves from the battlefields in the immediate neighbourhood and from certain smaller burial grounds.

There are now 1348, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, 366 are unidentified and special memorials are erected to 26 soldiers from the United Kingdom known or believed to be buried among them. Other special memorials record the names of three soldiers from the United Kingdom, buried in other cemeteries, whose graves could not be found.

The cemetery covers an area of 3,787 square metres and is enclosed on three sides by a low red brick wall.

Liverpool Evening Express - Tuesday 28 May 1918  

TABRON— In sad but loving birthday remembrance of our dear son, Lance-corporal Alfred Tabron. killed in France. April 26, 1918 in his 22nd year. Also his brother, Private Thomas Tabron (Tom), killed in action, July 8, 1916, joined K.L.R. (18th Pals), 1914.  

We have lost, Heaven has gained, 

Two of the best the world contained.  

—From their loving mother, father, sisters and brother, Corpl. N. Tabron (Never forgotten)  

TABRON— Instantaneously killed in 22nd year, Lance-Corpl. (late Pals) M.G.C. (Thy will done)— His loving fiancée Ida. 

A remembrance notice for both sons was posted in the Liverpool Echo after Arthur's death – 
Liverpool Echo - Monday 08 July 1918 

ROLL OF HONOUR – KILLED IN ACTION 

TABRON – In loving memory of our dear sons Private Thomas Tabron killed in action July 8 1916 also Lance Corporal Arthur Tabron killed April 26 1918.  (Will never be forgotten “Safe in the arms of Jesus”)  From Father, Mother, Sisters and Brother (with the colours). 

Thomas earned his three medals. 

Soldiers Effects, army pay of £3 12s 10d, war gratuity £8 10s to his father Thomas William. His parents, living in Green Lane, received a combined pension of 15/- a week for both sons, their address later shown as 26 Leicester Avenue, Waterloo.  

Nathan’s letters, forwarded at the request of the War Office, were obviously heeded and the date of Tom’s death was changed to 8th July. Nathan Tabron did all of his service in the UK with the Tank Corps (service no 111754) and a note on his service file in May 1918 says

“Will be permanently retained upon the Home Establishment owing to him being the sole surviving son of three sons”.

A further note in 1919 says “Father suffering from bronchitis – son needed at home” which probably accelerated his demobilisation. 

Arthur's service number was 16847. His service records have not survived but his medal card records that he was posted to the Western Front with the Pals on the 07th November 1915 but he had been transferred to the Machine Gun Corps as Lance Corporal 143348 when he was killed on 26th April 1918 aged 21. Arthur Tabron is buried in Varennes Military Cemetery, Section II Row G Grave 3.