Thomas was born on the 16th May 1900 in Barton and the youngest child of Thomas and Hannah Astbury. His father had been born in Barnton around 1862 and worked as an engine driver on a tug-boat (he had previously been a foreman at the alkali works). His mother, Hannah Norman, had been born in Preston Brook around 1861. All the children were born in Barnton: John around 1886, Helena Mary, around 1888, and Sarah, around 1890, Hannah around 1892 and Edward around 1894.
In 1891 the family were living at Stanley Mount, Barnton but by 1901 they were at 90 Lydyett Lane. Two more children followed Edward, Alice Norman born on the 29th November 1897 and Thomas himself.
By 1906 the family were living at one of the canal-side cottages at Preston Brook as Thomas’s sister, Alice was admitted to Daresbury school on the 20th August in that year.
Thomas followed on the 10th August 1908.
By 1911 only three of the children were now at home (Edward, Alice and Thomas) with Thomas and Hannah. His father, then aged 49, was an engine driver on one of the steam tugs on the canal, whilst Edward was a farm labourer.
His sister Sarah was married on the 12th July 1913 at Daresbury Church.
On the 3rd March 1915 his brother, John, married Mary Elizabeth Hodgkinson from Newton.
Thomas was called up on 6th September 1918, aged 18 years and 3 months. His occupation was listed as a clerk.
Joined 4th Kings Own at Chester (number 60432)?
On the 5th April 1926 his brother, Edward, married Kathleen Prince at Daresbury Church.
Thomas married in 1930 to Doris M Spann.
Thomas died in early 1973.
13/10/2015