BORN HULL 1900. ELDEST SON OF GEORGE MADDRA (1879-1960), & LILIAN MADDRA (1878-1951), OF 2, FLORENCE AVENUE, GRANGE STREET, HULL (WAR PENSION & CWGC ADDRESS). BROTHER TO JOSEPH, LILY AND JOHN MADDRA. HIS FATHER WAS A SAPPER IN THE ROYAL ENGINEERS, SERVING IN FRANCE.
THOMAS ENLISTED IN HULL, ON 14/09/1917. DESCRIBED AS 5 FOOT, 8.5 INCHES TALL, 35.5 INCH CHEST, 126 LBS WEIGH, GOOD VISION AND GOOD PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT. HE WAS ONLY 18 WHEN HE ENLISTED IN THE 15TH DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY. ARRIVED IN FRANCE, ON 02/04/1918. HE DIED OF GUNSHOT WOUNDS TO THE CHEST, ON 03/05/1918, AGED 18, AT 54TH GENERAL HOSPITAL. HE HAD SERVED IN THE ARMY FOR 232 DAYS.
BEFORE THE WAR HE WORKED AS AN ENGINE CLEANER, ON HULL DOCKS AND WAS WELL KNOWN. HIS DEATH WAS REPORTED IN THE HULL DAILY MAIL WITH HIS PHOTOGRAPH ON 17TH MAY 1918. *
HE IS BURIED AT BOULOGNE EASTERN CEMETERY. HIS GRAVE INSCRIPTION, READS, “TOO DEARLY LOVED TO BE FORGOTTEN FROM HIS SORROWING FATHER MOTHER AND FAMILY”
