Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
Thomas Steadman was born about 1879 or 1880 in Dorking, Surrey, to unknown parents.
At the time of the 1891 Census, Thomas Steadman was a pauper inmate of the North Surrey District (Industrial) School for pauper children in Anerlay Road, Penge, Surrey.
Thomas Steadman enlisted on 19th February 1901 in Dalston, Middlesex into the Royal Engineers. He was a sapper with a regimental number 7788. At the time of his enlistment he was residing in Dorking, and was working as a carpenter.
At the time of the 1901 Census, Thomas was a sapper of the Royal Engineers quartered at the Brompton Barracks, Chatham in Kent.
At the time of the 1911 Census, Thomas was a sapper of the Royal Engineers stationed overseas in Hong Kong, China.
Thomas disembarked on 18th August 1914 to France.
He was killed in the action during the First Battle of the Aisne, at Missy-sur-Aisne commune on 21st September 1914.
At the time of his death, Thomas was a sapper of the 17th Field Company, the Royal Engineers.
Thomas’ body was exhumed from the Soissons Communal Cemetery Extension in France, where the graves of 88 British soldiers were reburied from the surrounding battlefields. Thomas’ body was lying in Plot 1, Row “A”, Grave 10. The cross on his grave bore the inscription “7788 Spr F. Steadman R. Engr. 21.09.14”. He was identified by the cross, Khaki, G.S. buttons and G.S. boots.
Thomas was reburied at the Vauxbuin French National Cemetery, Aisne, France. His grave reference number is: III. C. 9.
Thomas wrote his will in favour of George Chandler. George received £14, 16s and 5d on 25th January 1915 and a further £5 on 7th of May 1919 in Soldier’s Effects.
Thomas Steadman received the British War and Victory medals and the 1914 Star.
| Born | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Lived | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Enlisted | Dalston, London | |
| Regiment | 17th Field Company, Royal Engineers | |
| Number | 7788 | |
| Date of Death | 21st September 1914 | |
| Place of Death | Aisne, France | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in Action | |
| Age | 35 | |
| Cemetery | Vauxbin French National Cemetery |
