Thomas (Tommy) Egdell, DCM

Forename(s):
Thomas (Tommy)

Surname:
Egdell, DCM

Initial(s):
T

Service Number:
KX/490

Rank:
Petty Officer (Acting )

Regiment:
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, Royal Naval Division, Hood Battalion

Died:
24/09/1917

Aged:
39

Buried:
Douai British Cemetery, Cuincy

Service History:
Enlisted as a Private in the Northumberland Fusiliers on 2 September 1914. Transferred to RNVR (Hood Battalion) 7 September 1914.

Served with Hood Battalion at Antwerp, October 1914, then with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force from 1 March 1915 to 7 May 1915. Wounded in the right hand & invalided to the U.K. 7 June 1915.

Returned to the MEF in a draft on 5 December 1915, re-joined Hood Battalion at Mudros on 8 January 1916. Succumbed to Pyrexia (fever) of unknown origin from 15 February 1916 which disabled him until 15 March 1917. Re-joined Hood Battalion on 16 March 1917. (N.B. Data per 'Great Britain, Royal Naval Division Casualties of the Great War, 1914-1924' available via Ancestry.co.uk but probably requires further investigation given Egdell's DCM was awarded for action between 3-5 February 1917!)

Served at Passchendaele. Originally reported 'Killed in Action' 22 September 1917 whilst out on patrol. His body was not recovered & it was later reported he died of wounds whilst a POW, on 24 September 1917.

Awarded Distinguished Conduct Medal for action at Grancourt 3-5/02/1917. 'London Gazette': 26/3/17; page 2987; 'For conspicuous gallantry in action. He got his machine guns into action under heavy fire & greatly assisted in repelling a strong enemy counter-attack. He set a fine example of courage & initiative'.

Ancestry.co.uk refers to Joseph Murry's book (Jack Marshall's?) which records Petty Officer Egdell in charge of 'C' Company & 'C' Company Quartermaster.

Background:
Born on 27 November 1877, the son of Robert & Thomasina (variously Thomasine & Thomason) Blythe Egdell, of Kirk's Buildings, New Row, Alnwick, Northumberland.

One of four sons lost: see, also, Lance-Corporal Edward Walker Egdell; Corporal John Egdell; & Private David James Blythe Egdell. A younger brother, George William, also served - he was wounded on 26 April 1915.

Husband of Alice Egdell, of 277, Maypole Street, Ashington, Northumberland. It is believed his family emigrated to America after the war.
(Source: Rose Knox of Belper, Derbyshire; September 2017)

Pre-enlistment occupation: Miner.

Local Memorial:
Alnwick War Memorial