Thomas's Story.
St Mary's Weaverham “Roll of Honour” records a G. (George) Bentley. Not listed on the R.o.H. but included here as the name Thomas Bentley came forward when searching Army Service Records just using Weaverham. It appears Thomas Bentley is named in the B.M. & Co. R.o.H. booklet.
The Weaverham search of WW1 Service Records brought up a Thomas Bentley; Thomas’s service documents state he was born in Weaverham. He is recorded enlisting on the 3rd Sept. 1914, he was 35yrs 2m, (Cheshirebmd records a Thomas Bentley born 1879 in the District of W/ham which would fit in with this Thomas being 35 in 1914.) his “calling” was Labourer. Thomas stood 5ft 4in, weight was 140lb and a girth of 37.5in, physical development was “good”. He states he had previous service. Thomas was posted with the 10th Bn. Cheshire, Reg’t. No 14760. (It does look like this could have been 14759.) A second posting puts him with 3rd Bn., on the 22/6/15, and later reference to the 14th Bn. The records state he was married 27th Feb. 1902, to Maud Lillian Owen at Hartford. (Cheshirebmd record the marriage of a Thomas Bentley/Lilly M. Owen in 1902 at St. John’s Hartford.)
Thomas’s service log records; Home 3/9/14 to 14/12/18 , period of 4yrs 103days. N.O.K is Maud as named on this same sheet and her address 44 Chester Road. Northwich.
There is comment in the records “Discharged, surplus to Military requirements 14/12/18.”
This would suggest that Thomas never entered a Theatre of War, his service being in the UK and possibly no medals awarded.
The B. M. & Co “R.o.H.” records a Thomas Bentley at the Winnington Wks., with the 14th Bn. Cheshire Reg’t. There was a letter from B. M. & Co. to Shrewsbury Records Office, dated 24th June 1918, Re. Pte. Thos. Bentley No 14759 (crossed out and printed 14760) of the 14th Bn. Cheshire Reg. (Reading between the lines of the letter it looks like Thomas is an enlisted solider working at/for B. M. & Co.
N.A.M.C. do not have any medal cards for Thomas Bentley, Pte. Service No 14759 or 14760 with the Cheshire Regiment which would be right for an Home based soldier.
Research Bob H.