Thomas Henry Wagstaff
Date of birth: 1892
Date of death: 12.2.1916
Area: Knottingley
Regiment: King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
Family information: Husband of Lilian May Wagstaff nee Wright
Rank: Private
Service number: 18970
War Service
Thomas Henry Wagstaff rejoined the army on mobilisation and enlisted at Pontefract on 28th October 1914 becoming private 18970 T H Wagstaff of KOYLI. He went to France on 11th November 1915 and was killed in action on 12th February 1916. He is buried at the Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentieres. He is commemorated on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website as T H Wagstaffe.
Family Life
Thomas Henry Wagstaff was born in the third quarter of 1892 and his birth was registered at Barnsley. He was the son of Richard and Maria Wagstaff. Richard Wagstaff and Maria Leadbeater married in the first quarter of 1884 and their marriage was registered at Barnsley.
At the age of 18 years and two months, Thomas Henry Wagstaff, a Pony Driver in the mines, enlisted at Pontefract on 16th September 1910, becoming Private 9823 T H Wagstaff of the York and Lancaster Regiment. He joined his company on 17th September at Blackdown. In 1911 he went Absent Without Leave and was in civil power arrest on 19th May 1911. He was re-united with his company on 20th May 1911 awaiting trial. He was tried by DCM on 7th June 1911 and sentenced to 28 days detention for absence etc.
He was back to duty by 1st July 1911, before being posted to India on 19th September 1912. On 22nd March 1913 he was tried by RCM on board RIMS Dufferin (a Royal Marine troopship) and sentenced to 42 days detention for “Disobeying in such a manner as to show wilful defiance of authority a lawful command given personally by his superior officer in the execution of his office.” It appears that whilst in confinement “he went on the run” for he was tried again by RCM on 14th May 1913 and sentenced to 6 months imprisonment and to be discharged with Ignominy from His Majesty’s Service for:
1. Deserting His Majesty’s Service.
2. Losing by neglect his clothing and regimental necessaries.
3. Stealing goods, the property of a comrade.
4. When in confinement escaping.
His next of kin were shown as father Richard Wagstaff, mother Maria Wagstaff, both of 22, Kelvin Street, Rotherham and brother John of 1, King Street Thurnscoe.
In the 1911 census he is shown as a Soldier living at Denaby Main with his parents and siblings. In 1914 he married Lilian May Wright in the first quarter of 1914. This was registered at Pontefract. They later had 1 child.