Hull Pals Memorial. PRIVATE THOMAS GEORGE WOOLLENS 10/500. Born in 1887, Thomas was the youngest of three children to Thomas and Theresa Woollens, of 71 Bean Street, Hull. Thomas Snr had died while Theresa was pregnant with their only son and the family took in lodgers to help pay their way. A Blacksmith’s Striker by trade, employed by Messrs. Wilsons and Sons, Hull. Thomas enlisted at Hull City Hall on 8th September 1914 joining the 11th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment, ‘The Tradesmen’, 2nd Hull Pals. It was not the first time he had tried to join up. He was refused entry to the army some years before due to his possessing “defective teeth”, however, with the onset of war they appear to have been a little less fussy. A veteran of Egypt, the Somme and Oppy Wood Thomas was killed in action on 28th June 1917 and his body was never recovered. His name is commemorated on the Arras Memorial with 35,000 other men who lost their lives in that sector yet have no known grave.
Thomas George Woollons was born in 1887 just after the death of his father. His NOK was his mother Theresa Woollons of 71 Bean Street, Hull. He also had two older sisters. He enlisted in the 11th Bn on 08/O9/1914 his Regt No. being 11/500 which suggests he was one of the early volunteers. After his death his mother was sent all his worldly possessions which consisted of a letter, cards, a canvas case and greeting cards. He was killed whilst serving with C Coy on 28/6/1917 and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial and also in the Beverley Minister.
His death was reported in the Hull Daily Mail, on 01/04/1917. *
