Wadsworth T E Pte 9537 5th London Regiment (London Rifle Brigade)
WADSWORTH, THOMAS EDWIN, Private, No. 9537, 1/5th Battn. (London Rifle Brigade) The London Regt. (T.F.), 2nd 8. of John Edwin Wadsworth, of 13, Beech Hall Road, of Highams Park, Essex, an employee of the British Bank of South America, Moorgate Street, by his wife, Helen, dau. of Thomas Brown, Baughurst, Hants, Farmer; b. Southfields, S. W., 1 March, 1896; educ. Central Foundation School, Cowper Street, E.C., and on leaving there entered the service of Samuel Montagu & Co., of Old Broad Street, and was a junior in the bullion department when war broke out. He had joined the London Rifle Brigade, 18 March, 1913, and at once volunteered for active service, and went to the Front with his regt. 4 Nov. 1914.
On 27 April he left the shelter of his trench in order to succour a wounded stretcher-bearer, and assist him to the rear. Soon after his return to the firing line he was wounded by the splinter of a shell. As there was a scarcity of stretchers he insisted on walking in order that other wounded men might be carried. The walking caused him to lose a considerable quantity of blood, and he reached the base in a very weak condition. He died in Netley Hospital, 8 May, 1915, and was buried in Ilford Cemetery; unm.
A Memorial Tablet was placed in St. Stephen’s Church, Coleman Street, where he was formerly a chorister, with the following inscription: “This tablet is erected in affectionate memory of T. Edwin Wadsworth, by the staff of Samuel Montagu & Co., of 60, Old Broad Street, to whom he had become endeared by his winsome ways and eager and faithful discharge of daily duties. One of the youngest in the ranks of the London Rifle Brigade, he responded instantly to the call of his King and Country, endured with fortitude the rigours of the winter campaign in Flanders, and whilst repelling an attack of the enemy on 27 April, 1915, received wounds which proved mortal. Fragile in frame, his body proved unequal to retain his brave young spirit, which returned to Him who gave it. He finished his earthly course 8 May, 1915, within a brief span of 19 years and 2 months, and now awaits another Trumpet Call. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.’ Jno. xv. 13.”
Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 1