Also Served: Thomas Melia - Thomas MELIA
7 Sutherland Road, Prescot Pioneer P1118/P1137, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment On 4th October 1915, Thomas attested to the army for the duration of the war and was posted to the 1/12th Bn., Loyal North Lancs Regiment (Pioneers). He was 18 years old and his next of kin was his mother, Sarah, of the same address.
The 1911 census had shown him, aged 14, at the same address with his father John, a 45 yesr old Coal Miner, mother Sarah (42) brothers John (15), James (8) and Timothy (5), and sisters Catherine (18) and Rose (11).
He sailed for France on 22tn June 1916, serving there until 13th February 1917 when his unit was posted to Salonika, where he arrived on 14th February. After serving there until June of 1917, he was stationed in Egypt until 29th April 1918 when his unit was posted back to France where he remained for the rest of the war.
Thomas was discharged on 21st March 1919 in Preston. He was entitled to the British War Medal and Victory Medal, receiving these in March 1922.
The picture below, kindly provided by John Mason, shows the Melia family. Standing left to right are James, John, Rose, Thomas and Tim. Seated are Kitty and John Mason's grandmother Mary. Seated at the front is Martin Melia
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