Born Hull, 1895. Eldest child of Harry Glenton (1874-1941) and Julia Rewston (1876-1920, of 121 Gillett Street (1911 Census), at 2 Poplar Terrace, Rosamond Street, Hessle Road, Hull (War Pension & Army address) and later 4 Filey Grove, Liverpool Street, Hull. He had five brothers and one sister. Like his father, Thomas was a Hessle Road fish worker. He enlisted in the Hull Pals, on 07/09/1914, aged 19 years and 2 months.
His army records, describe Thomas, as 5 foot, 6 inches tall, 154 lbs weight, 37 inch chest, “good” physical development, fresh complexion, grey eyes, brown hair. He had spent 2 years and 299 days, in the army, when he was killed in action, on 02/07/1917, aged 21. Unmarried, his army effects were left to his father Harry. They included a letter case, photos, cigarette box, matches and two coins.
His brother, Walter Glenton served in the Royal Naval Reserve, HMS “Ajax”. Another brother, James, served as Sergeant in the Royal Army Medical Corps who lived at 15 Morpeth Street, Hull. (Thank you to Lynne Glenton for the photograph sent on 29/10/2020 – lynnecglenton@aol.com )
Hull Pals Memorial Post. PRIVATE THOMAS GLENTON 11/169. Born in 1895, Thomas was the eldest of six children to Harry and Julia Glenton, of 2 Poplar Terrace, Rosamund Street, Hull. A Fish Worker by trade, he queued outside City Hall on Monday, 7th September 1914, to join the newly formed 11th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment, ‘The Tradesmen’, 2nd Hull Pals. Right from the very start it was clear, that Thomas was what can politely be described as a “loose cannon” when it came to discipline. He has numerous charges in his file, for overstaying passes, not turning up for parades and not complying with orders. This continued in France, where he was absent from a Working Party, in June 1916 and refusing orders in February 1917. Not a natural soldier then. He was a veteran of Egypt, the Somme and Oppy Wood when he was killed in action at Vimy Ridge on 2nd July 1917. His body was never recovered and his name is commemorated on the Arras Memorial; he was 21 years old.
