Category: Military
Rank: Sapper
Regiment or Ship: 2nd Home Counties Field Company Royal Engineers
Service Number(s): 989
Occupation: Carter
Date of Birth: 22.05.1872
Place of Birth: Wartling, Sussex
Date of Death: 1965
Place of Death: Auburn, New South Wales, Australia
Address: 91 Windsor Road, Bexhill on Sea
Photos and newspaper articles
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Family Information
Parents: George Cornford (1832-1905) and Matilda Cornford – nee Foord – (1836-1927).
George was a Carter, born in Wartling, and Matilda was born in Ninfield. The family lived on Wartling Hill until just before 1901 when they moved to 91 Windsor Road, Bexhill on Sea.
Siblings:
John Cornford (1861-).
Henry Cornford (1866-).
Kate Cornford (1876-).
Spouse: Thomas married twice – his first wife being Lucy Ellen Smith (1873-1910) and his second Lillian May Pledger (1887-1944) whom he married at Battle in 1912.
Thomas and Lucy had seven children:- Thomas George (1895-1986), Sidney Lester (1897-), Charles Henry (1900-1970), Frederick William (1902-1966), Elsie Elizabeth (1905-1959), Walter John (1907-).
Thomas and Lillian had five children:- Ivy Lillian (1912-1980), Violet May (1913-1999), Stanley Lester Charles (1918-), Douglas R. (1920-), Kenneth Raymond (1928-2001).
Thomas emigrated to Campsie, Lang, New South Wales, Australia, in 1954.
First World War Experience
As Thomas’ service records have not survived we know nothing of his war record apart from the fact that he enlisted before 17th October 1914 and was posted to France (Theatre of War 1) on 23rd December 1914.
He was awarded the Victory Medal, the British War Medal, and the 15 Star.