Thomas
MONK
1877 –1918
Early Life
THOMAS MONK was born in 1877 in Great Waltham, one of seven children born to John and Lydia Monk (née Emmeny). He was baptised in the Parish Church on the 4th March 1877.
John and Lydia were married on the 14th June 1873 at the Parish Church, Great Waltham, where they were both living. John was a Labourer. Thomas was their second son and the second eldest. John and Lydia had five sons and two daughters.
In 1881 the family were living at Breeds and John was an Agricultural Labourer. Thomas was 4 years old. By 1891 the family were living in South Street and Thomas now 14 years old was a Grocer’s Assistant.
In 1901, the Census shows Thomas, now working as a House Porter, aged 24 years and living in New Kent Road, Southwark Borough, London. His brother Herbert was in service too, as a Domestic Butler in 1911.
On the 10th July 1904, he married Lucy Hopgood, aged 24 years at St Peters Church, Paddington, in London. His occupation is given as a Porter and their address, 40 Shirland Road, Paddington.
The 1911 Census shows that Thomas and Lucy now had three children, Edward Thomas, born 6 January 1905 and baptised on the 5th March at St Peters Church, James, born 4 September 1906, whilst they were living at 21 Netley Street and finally, Bertha Emma Monk, born on the 29 March 1911 in Kensington. Thomas was now a Kitchen Porter.
Military Life
Thomas enlisted at Piccadilly, Middlesex into 4th New Army of the Royal Army Corps, possibly the Horse Transport Section, Regimental No.T4/234237. This may have been a compulsory transfer in 1916. He then transferred to the 12th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles and his Service No. changed to 42823 as part of the 108th Brigade Division. The Division was substantially reorganised in February 1918.
On 21 March 1918 the Division was holding a sector of the British front line and Forward Zone south west of St Quentin.
Death and Memorial
In April the Battalion was on the Front Line fighting the fourth Battle of Ypres. Sometime during this battle Thomas was killed. Reports state it was the 18th April, though this was later amended to the 28th April 1918. He was 41 years old.
He is ‘Remembered with Honour’ on the Tyne Cot Memorial
Panel 138 to 140 and 162 to 162A and 163A.
Thomas is also Remembered on the War Memorial in Great Waltham
UK, Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects, 1901-1929
Emma, his widow, received the total sum of £17.5s. on the 13th May 1920, which included a War Gratuity payment of £9. On the 12th June 1920, his sister, Lucy Barnes (née Monk) was awarded £4.18s.6d.
