Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
Thomas Cecil Rose was born in the 2nd quarter of 1894 in Dorking, Surrey to general labourer Alfred William and Emily Ada (nee Cheesman).
Thomas’s father Alfred was born about 1860 in Dorking to labourer and jobbing gardener Thomas, born about 1821, and Sarah, born about 1834, both in Dorking. At the time of the 1881 Census, Alfred lived with his parents and siblings at Hampstead Road in Dorking. He was working as a bricklayer’s labourer. His mother Emily Ada was born in the 2nd quarter of 1870 in Shere, Surrey to agricultural labourer and shepherd Thomas, born about 1833 and Elizabeth born about 1833, both in Shere. By the time of the 1891 Census, Alfred and Emily were married.
Thomas had eight known siblings: Ada Amelia born about 1891, Alfred Charles born about 1892, Percy Victor born about 1896, Charles Cyril born about 1898, Ruby Adelaide born about 1900, Elizabeth Winifred born about 1902, Rita born about 1906 and Christiana Veronica born about 1909, all in Dorking.
At the time of the 1891 Census, Alfred, Emily and their daughter Ada Amelia were living at 6 Falkland Gardens in Dorking. Alfred was working as a domestic groom.
At the time of the 1901 Census, the family lived at St John’s Road in Westcott. Alfred was working as a wood sawyer in a timber yard and Emilia was looking after their children.
At the time of the 1911 Census, the family had moved to 59 Orchard Road in Dorking. Alfred was working as a machine wood sawyer and Emilia was at home looking after baby Christiana and five year old Rita. Of their children, Alfred was working as a miller, Thomas as a wood sawyer’s assistant, Percy as a draper’s parcel boy and Charles, Ruby and Elizabeth were at school. Emilia stated that she had given birth to ten children of whom nine were still living. The accommodation had six rooms.
Thomas joined the 1st Battalion the Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment in February 1912 in Guildford, Surrey. He became a private with a regimental number L/10352. At the time of his enlistment he resided in Dorking. Before joining the Army he was employed for three and a half years at Mr Brooker’s timber yard.
Thomas was later transferred into 2nd Battalion the Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment and became a Lance Corporal.
Thomas disembarked on 12th August 1914 in France and was wounded in October 1914. After completing convalescence he went back to the Front. He was again wounded on 24th September 1915 at Loos.
Thomas Rose was killed during the Great Advance, on the first day on the Somme, on the 1st of July 1916 in France.
LCE-CORPL T. C. ROSE
Queen’s R. W. S. Regt.
Lce-Corpl. T. C. Rose, Queen’s R. W. S. Regt, who has been killed in France was the son of Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Rose of 59, Orchard Road, Dorking. He was 22 years of age, and joined the Queen’s in February 1912. He was wounded in October 1914, and after completing convalescence he went back to the Front. He was again wounded on Sept 24th, 1915, at Loos, and was mortally wounded during the Great Advance on July 1st. Before joining the Army he was employed for three and a half years at Mr. Brooker’s timber yard. In intimating the sad news to the parents. 2nd Lieut. Corporal Humphrey Secretan writes: “Lce-Corpl. Rose was shot through the head by a machine gun bullet as we were crossing the German support trenches. The same gun knocked out a lot of our fellows. Such a nice fellow he was, and we shall all miss him very much. I am afraid I cannot say exactly where his grave is, but all of our fellows have been buried, and I think a service said over him. We went on nearly a mile beyond where he was shot, and stayed there for four days, and then came straight back eight miles, so you see it was rather difficult to get any particulars. The Germans were surrounding in large quantities, and we were only held up occasionally by a machine gun or so.”
Thomas Cecil Rose Death Notice © Dorking Advertiser findmypast.co.uk
Thomas Cecil is commemorated at the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing in France on the Pier and Face 5D and 6D.
At the time of Thomas’ death his parents resided at 59 Orchard Road in Dorking.
Thomas’ father Alfred received £13, 8d and 7s on 3rd November 1916 and £10, 10s on 1st October 1919 in Soldier’s Effects’.
Thomas Cecil Rose received the British War and Victory medals and the 1914 Star.
| Born | Westcott, Dorking | |
| Lived | Dorking | |
| Son of | Alfred William and Emily Ada Rose (nee Cheesman) | |
| Adress | 59 Orchard Road, Dorking | |
| Enlisted | Guildford | |
| Regiment | 2nd Battalion, The Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment | |
| Number | L/10352 | |
| Date of Death | 1st July 1916 | |
| Place of Death | France | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in Action | |
| Age | 22 | |
| Memorial | Thiepval Memorial, France |
