Thomas was born on the 7th February 1893 in Preston Brook and was one of eight children. Their parents were Edward and Rachel Spender. Edward was born in Aston about 1853 and Rachel (nee Roughsedge) in Daresbury about 1856. Thomas was baptised in Aston by Sutton on the 12th March 1893.
By 1901, Edward was a porter in the iron ore trade and the family lived by the Bridgewater canal. Thomas’ older sister, Sarah and younger ones, Mary Gertrude and Rachael lived with them.
Ten years later, in the 1911 Census, Thomas, now 18, was working as a blacksmith. The Family was now living at Norton Cottages. Harriet, his eldest sister, had moved into the five bedroomed family home with her husband, John Hazelhurst (also a Blacksmith) and their two year old son. Sarah had now left home.
He volunteered with his mates in Frodsham, Cheshire into the King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment. After training they arrived in France on the 28th September 1915. Thomas was later transferred into the Royal Engineers (No. 312635) where he served out the rest of the war. He received the Victory Medal, British War Medal and the 1915 Star for his services.
On the 26th December 1927, Thomas got married to Ann Weaver at the Parish Church in Little Leigh, Cheshire. At the time Thomas was living at the Post Office in Dutton, Cheshire. Ann was living at 61 Bloomsbury Lane, Timperley which became their family home .
In WW2, Thomas again became a Blacksmith in the Royal Engineers No. 312635 (the same as his WW1 R.E. number). He died on the 7th December 1944 whilst still in the Army. At the time Ann was still living at Bloomsbury Lane.