Thomas's Story.
3539 Private Thomas Wareham, Ist King's Dragoon Guards, died of disease at Kroonstad, on February 20, 1902, aged 26. He is buried in North Road Cemetery, Kroonstad, South Africa.
What do we know about Thomas?
Thomas was born in Crewe on 31st March 1875, the son of George Wareham (1851–1936) and Jane Hankey (1854–1915). He was the third of their eleven children. On 4th April 1881, he was living on Coal Pit Lane, Monks Coppenhall (now North Street, Crewe) By the age of 16, he and his younger sister Martha were employed as servants at Cornes Farm, Mile House Lane, Worleston.
When Thomas enlisted into the King’s Dragoon Guards on 4th January 1893, aged 17, his occupation was farm labourer. By the time he married Elizabeth Smith (1875 - ) on Easter Monday, 19th April 1897 at St Oswald's Church, Worleston, Cheshire, Thomas (22) was described as a corporal, based in Colchester, Essex. However, his army records show him as a private at his death.
On 1st October 1897, he joined the LNWR in Crewe, employee number 7828. His previous employer was Mr Smith, a builder in Coppenhall, possibly his father-in-law ....
On 8 January 1901, 3539 Private Thomas Wareham, 1st (King's) Dragoon Guards, sailed to South Africa with his regiment, aboard the HMS Maplemore. The Guards were formed into a Brigade with the Prince of Wales's Light Horse, 3rd Dragoon Guards and G Battery RHA under Colonel Bethune and took part in the pursuit of the Boer commander De Wet.
Meanwhile, back in the UK, his wife Elizabeth is located on 31 March 1901 at Alexandra Road, Aldershot, Hampshire. However, there are no records of what happened to her later. Thomas's war gratuity was not paid to her as her address was not known.
Meanwhile, back in the UK, his wife Elizabeth is located on 31 March 1901 at Alexandra Road, Aldershot, Hampshire. However, there are no records of what happened to her later. Thomas's war gratuity was not paid to her as her address was not known.
On 21st February 1902, Thomas Wareham died of disease in the military hospital, Kroonstad, Orange River Colony. He was 26. He was buried in Kroonstad cemetery. He is commemorated on the 1st (King's) Dragoon Guards Boer War memorial in Manchester Cathedral, Victoria Street, Manchester.
Could you be related to Thomas Wareham?
His younger brother Sapper Jabez Wareham (1879–1963) also served in South Africa in Number 2 section of the Volunteer Service, Royal Engineers. He survived the war and returned to Crewe. In 1904, he married Agnes Ada Allcock (1882–1937) and they had seven children.
His younger brother Sapper Jabez Wareham (1879–1963) also served in South Africa in Number 2 section of the Volunteer Service, Royal Engineers. He survived the war and returned to Crewe. In 1904, he married Agnes Ada Allcock (1882–1937) and they had seven children.
Compiled by S. Lewington 2025