Thomas Unwin was born in 1898 to Thomas and Emily Unwin who ran the butchers shop in Bagot Street next to the Goat’s Head.Thomas known as Tommie attended Richard Clarke School. He was 16 when war broke out and did try to enlist but was turned away. We understand he loved anything mechanical so in February 1917 he joined as a mechanic in the Royal Flying Corps. He wrote home in March 1917 from Aberford, Yorks and mentioned that ‘A spotted fever had broken out in the barracks’ and they were in isolation. Thomas became unwell and his father was sent for. On the 21st of March, a telegram was received by Thomas’s sister Annie of Abbots Bromley saying ‘Regret to say Tommie died suddenly yesterday writing’ The vicar in Abbots Bromley at that time was the Rev. Haughton who travelled to St. Ricarius Churchyard, Aberford to perform the funeral service. Thomas was just 19 years old. RIP Tommie.
Alfred Wilson was born in 1894 to George and Emily who were butchers in Bagot Street. In 1911 the Wilson family were living in Beacon Bank and their occupation was listed as farming/butcher. We don’t know the date of when Alfred enlisted but he enlisted in Uttoxeter and joined the North Staffordshire Regt. Sadly, on the 20th of April 1917, Alfred lost his life in battle at age 24. Alfred is remembered on the Arras Memorial, France. RIP Alfred Wilson