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Hooson, Thomas John

Thomas John Hooson first appeared on a census in 1891. He was 6 years old and  living with his parents in  Hooson Cottages, Quay Road, Connah’s Quay. His father was Edward Hooson 28 a general labourer who had been born in Connah’s Quay. His mother was Sarah A Hooson aged 30.

Ten years on in the census of 1901 the family was in 3 High Street Connah’s Quay (or  5 Court off High Street), Connah’s Quay. Edward was 40 and a labourer in Borac Works. Sarah his wife was 41. The children listed are Thomas J a 16 year old bricklayer labourer and daughter Ellen  7.

In the 1911 census the family was living at 13 Chapel Street Connah’s Quay. Edward, now 48 was a Gas Works labourer, Sarah was 49, Thomas John  Hooson was 25 and single. He was still a bricklayer’s labourer. Ellen Hooson was single and ‘at home’.

His parents, Edward Hooson and Sarah A. Bithell married at St. Mary’s Church, Chester in 1884 (Cheshire West   CE14/9/316)

UK soldiers who Died in The Great war 1914-19 accessible on www.ancestry.co.uk confirms the regimental details above. This source says he was ‘Killed in Action’  whilst another (see below) says he ‘Died of Wounds’. It also tells us that he enlisted in Shotton.

His medal card says that his first Theatre of war was ‘The Balkans’ and that he first entered it on 28th June 1915.

There is an index card for Thomas John Hooson in the Flintshire Roll of Honour in the County Record Office in Hawarden. The address given is 13 Chapel Street Connah’s Quay. The regimental details above are confirmed. His service began on 4th August 1914 so he was one of the early enlisters. It is this source that says he ‘died of wounds’. The card was signed by Mrs Hooson.

Thomas John is mentioned in the book ” Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 – 18  Royal Welsh Fusiliers, Volume 28″ where there is a diecrepency with his Rgt. No. 11840*.  * I checked the book and it was written 11840 as above.

Thomas John Hooson is commemorated on a monumental stone in Connah’s Quay Cemetery. ‘Thomas John Hooson (31) Oct 4th Gallipoli’

He is also listed on the memorial plaque in St Mark’s Church Connah’s Quay and Thomas was a Member of the Connah’s Quay Silver Prize Band and is named on their Roll of Honour as well.

Connah’s Quay Cemetery, Monumental Stones Volume 1 Page 31 JR4 -9 ( or JR 4 – 7 ) – In loving memory of Blanche & George the beloved children of Edward & Sarah A. Hooson who died in infancy also of Thomas John their Son who was killed at Gallipoli Octr 4th 1915  aged 31 years.  Also Ellen Hooson their Daughter who died Dec 12th 1915 age 22 yrs.  Also Edward Hooson who died Feby. 25th 1924 aged 62 yrs. “At rest”   Also Sarah Ann Hooson who died Feby. 8th 1926 aged 65 yrs.

In the County Herald under CONNAH’S QUAY WAR ITEMS County Herald 29th October 1915

KILLED BY A SNIPER

The information has reached Connahs’ Quay that Private Thomas Hooson, the only son of Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Hooson of Chapel Street, Connah’s Quay, has been shot dead by a sniper of the enemy at the Dardanelles.   Hooson had been on a journey conveying water to the trenches when he met with his fatal wound.   Letters received from some of his comrades indicate that the remains were accorded a most respectful funeral.

This entry from the War Diary of the 8th Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers may confirm the above, although the official date was the 4th October 1915.

4th October 1915

About 09.00 enemy commenced a severe rifle & Shell fire on the trenches all along the line.   Being in reserve we were ordered to “Stand To” ready to move.   About 10.00 the firing abated and the Battn. Carried on with the work in hand, improving & enlarging dugouts.   One man was wounded while sitting in the trench.

 


Learn more about the other soldiers on the Connahs Quay and Shotton War Memorial

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