Pte 29718 Thomas Stretch

• Age: 37
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• D.O.W Saturday 2nd June 1917
• Commemorated at: Hop Store Cem, Vlamertinghe
  Panel Ref: I.A.22

Thomas was born in Liverpool on 26^th June 1879 and was baptised on 04^th August 1879 in St. Oswald’s Church, Old Swan, Liverpool. He was the son of William Stretch and  his wife Elizabeth (nee Doyle). His parents married at St Michael's Church, Toxteth Park in 1877.

The 1891 Census shows the family living at Wilson Grove, West Derby, Liverpool. His father, Thomas, is aged 33, born 1858 in Prescot and is a quarryman, whilst his mother, Elizabeth, is aged 35, born 1856 in Liverpool and employed as a spinner. They have three children at the time of the Census, Thomas aged 11, William aged 9, and Sybil aged 5, born 1886. The children were all born in West Derby.

His father father died in the June quarter of 1896 aged 37.

His mother remarried to George Bispham in 1897.

Thomas' first marriage was on 06th August 1899 to Hannah Groves at St Peter's Church, Liverpool, their address Hart Street, London Road. Hannah died the next year.

By the 1901 census the Bispham family are living at 22 Wilson Grove, Stoneycroft, but Thomas is not there. Head of household is George a 34 year old iron works rivetter, wife Elizabeth 45, children Susannah 2, Mary 3ths, step-children William 19 slaters labourer, Elizabeth 12, John 9, Edward 6, Mary 2 (all born Liverpool).

Thomas married Annie McKenna in St. Oswald’s Church on 25^th February 1911, and they had four children; John born in 1911, Thomas born 1913, William born 1914, and Alice born 1916. The children were also baptised in St. Oswald’s Church..

On the 1911 the Bispham family are living at 26 Wilson Grove, Old Swan. His mother Elizabeth, is 53 years of age and advises that she has been married for 14 years and has had 3 children, two of whom have survied. She has children and grandchildren declared in the household; Thomas Stretch is a 31 year old married man employed as a builders labourer, Elizabeth Reynolds  aged 22 is a hemp spinner (married 1 year with 1 child), John Stretch is a 20 year old builders labourer, Edward Stretch aged 18is also a builders labourer, Susan Bispham 12,  and grandchildren Mary Stretch 12, Mary Reynolds 1.

Thomas enlisted in Liverpool and was serving with the 20th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 29718 when he died of wounds on 02nd June 1917, aged 37.

He now rests at Hop Store Cemetery, Belgium. 

Although Vlamertinghe (now Vlamertinge) was just within range of the German artillery for the greater part of the First World War, units of Allied heavy artillery and field ambulances occasionally stationed their headquarters there. The Hop Store Cemetery, opened in May 1915, was on the safer side of the village but it remained a small cemetery because of its position between a hedge and the premises of the hop store itself. The site was low and marshy, particularly at the west end, and was drained by the Royal Engineers early in 1917. There are now 251 First World War burials within the cemetery, almost exclusively of 1915 and 1917. The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield.

A notice placed in the Liverpool Echo on 06^th June 1917 reads:  

June 2, killed in action, Private Thomas Stretch, K.L.R., dearly loved husband of Annie Stretch. (On whose sweet soul Jesus have mercy.) 

When last I saw his smiling face he looked so strong and brave,

I little thought how soon he’d be laid in a hero’s grave.

But could I have raised his dying head or heard his last farewell,

So great the blow might not have been to one who loved him well.

- Sadly missed and never forgotten by his loving Wife and Children. 

When Thomas died his wife was left with four children under five years old. Tragically, Annie died the next year, age 35, living at 23 Alexandra Street. She is buried in Yew Tree cemetery. Her mother Alice McKenna became the children’s guardian. 

Soldiers Effects to widow Annie, Pensions to Alice McKenna, guardian of child, and widow Annie, children John, Thomas, William and Alice. 

Thomas is commemorated on Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 38 left.

We currently have no further information on Thomas Stretch, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.