Thomas William Steel

Forename(s):
Thomas William

Surname:
Steel

Initial(s):
T W

Service Number:
S/34587

Rank:
Rifleman

Regiment:
Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own), attached to the London Regiment's 3/8th Battalion

Died:
16/02/1920

Aged:
35

Buried:
Unknown

Service History:
Enlisted at Hexham, Northumberland, on 26 June 1916.

Served with the Percy Volunteers before enlistment. On enlistment joined the Northumberland Fusiliers 1/4th Battalion Territorial Force (Regimental service #235630).

After transfering to the Rifle Brigade, Steel was attached to the London Regiment however he appears not to have served in France & Flanders. He was discharged from service on 18 March 1918, at Winchester, Hampshire.

Steel's discharge papers are available via Ancestry.co.uk. The reason given for his discharge was that he was 'No longer physically fit for War Service'. His military character was noted as 'Very good', & he was 'honest, sober & steady'.

His death may have been from the effects of an accident which had occurred during Army training.
(Source: 'Portraits of War...'; Edited & compiled by June Watson; Wildgoose Press; 2016; p. 113)

Background:
Born about 1885, at Felton, Northumberland, the son of William & the late Ellen Steel.

Two sisters, Mary Jane & Barbara.

Husband of Mary Steel (née Jackson; b. 19 June 1887, at Acklington, Northumberland) who he married on 20 June 1908, at Whitley Bay, Northumberland. Father of John William Steel, who was born on 27 June 1910, & Catherine Ellen (b. 26 April 1913).

In 1911, Steel was a Coal Miner Shifter (underground).

On 18 February 1920, Mary Steel was awarded an Army Pension for herself of £1-8s-6d, with an additional £0-17s-6d for her two children, until 1926.
(Source: 'Portraits of War...'; Edited & compiled by June Watson; Wildgoose Press; 2016; p. 113)

Local Memorial:
Acklington, St. John the Divine Church