Thomas Ledger 1887 - 1949

Thomas Ledger

Photo and information from Hilary Oates. Thomas Ledger was her husband's great uncle.
(Some additions and edits by BarnsleyHistorian.)

Name: Thomas Ledger
Born:  8 December 1887

His parents Joseph Ledger and Annie Green had married on 16 April 1877 at Holy Rood Catholic Church in Barnsley. (Ref: Barnsley Independent 21 April 1877 p.8)  They had six children, but two died before the 1911 census was taken. 

Joseph Ledger was living with his parents John and Mary Ledger, at 54 Waltham Street in the 1881 census.

Annie was living with her parents Hugh and Mary Ann Green at 8 Union Street in 1881, possibly for support after the birth of Sarah Ann who was two months old at that time.

Children of Joseph and Annie Ledger:
Mary Ledger b.1878 d. 1878
Mary Elizabeth Ledger b.1879 d.1880
Sarah Ann Ledger b. 13 Jan 1881 baptised on 13 Feb 1881 at Holy Rood, Barnsley. d.1961 unmarried
Mary Agnes Ledger b.1883 m. Raymond R Hanlon in 1907
Jane Ledger b.1885  m. Percy Ashton in 1911
Thomas b. 8 Dec 1887 d.1949

Address in 1901 census:  5 Union Street
Address in 1911 census: 84 Sheffield Road

Prior to the war Thomas Ledger was like many of the young lads in Barnsley. He lived at home with his parents and three sisters, he was employed as a lamp man at the colliery, he enjoyed playing football and sports.

Thomas' mother Annie died in January 1915 aged 59 years. She was buried in Barnsley Cemetery from 84 Sheffield Road.

Military Service:
Date Enlisted: 25/05/1915
Address:  28 Albion Street, Barnsley, Yorkshire.
Service No:    14/1254

Thomas attended the medical assessment and passed with results below
Age:                27 years and 168 days.
Height:            5ft 4 inches
Weight:            116 lbs
Health:             Good.

Thomas was assigned to the 14th York & Lancaster Regiment (2nd Barnsley Pals ) in June 1915.
Thomas was then posted to the 15th Battalion on the 4th of December 1915, he was then posted back to the 14th Battalion on the 28th of December 1915.

On the 28th of December 1915 Thomas was posted to Egypt and arrived overseas as an acting Corporal with the York & Lancaster Regiment, from there he was posted to France on the 11th of March 1916.

He served throughout the war with the 14th battalion until  it was disbanded in France in February 1918. Thomas then served with the 2nd battalion, which was a regular battalion, until being demobilised on 19th February 1919.

At some point during his service Thomas was awarded class 1 proficiency payment and was also appointed unpaid lance corporal on the 13th April 1918.

After the War:
When Thomas returned home after the war his health had suffered and he found it difficult finding employment. 

In 1921 Joseph Ledger and his children Sarah Ann and Thomas are living in the same household in Barnsley. (Ref: search on 1921 census index on Find My Past) 

Thomas' father Joseph died in May 1929 aged 72 years. He was buried in Barnsley Cemetery from 25 Albion Street.

Thomas Ledger died  on 14th May 1949. He was buried on 18 May 1949 from 26 Chestnut Crescent, in Kendray, where he had been living with his sister Sarah Ann Ledger since at least 1939. (Ref: 1939 Register on Ancestry) His grave is in Barnsley Cemetery, plot T 844, the same plot as his parents Joseph and Annie.