Heaton,+Thomas+Herbert

Thomas Herbert Heaton.

Born 1889 and died in action in France on 1-7-1916. He was the 4th from Oxenhope to die. Thomas was a Private in West Yorkshie ( Prince of Wales Own ) regiment and served in the 15th Bn. Service number 15/441

His name is recorded on th Serre Road No 1 Cemetery Memorial. Ref. I. C. 30

Serre Road No 1 is in Pas de Calais 15 miles south of Arras. A major attack was made on German lines on 1st July 1916 across "no mans land" to the heavily fortified village of Albert. The West Yorkshire Regiment have 71 burials /recorded names in this cemetery, the highest of any single regiment.

Thomas was the younger son of John Pickles Heaton and Betty Heaton (nee Parker )and he worked in the family business. The Heaton were mill-owners and built Manorlands.(as were the Parkers). Thomas enlisted along with many of the workers in his mill.

The family were staunch members of Lowertown Methodist Chapel, contributing to it building and laying the foundation stones.

Thomas's brother, Arthur J. P. Heaton ( born 1887 ) continued the family business.