WW1 Casualty: Private 1954 Thomas Henry Bishop -

Thomas was born in Prescot on 5th July 1896, the son of Oliver and jane

On the ourbreak of war in August 1914, he immediately joined the 1/5th Battalion of the South Lancashire Regiment. As his Medal Index Card shows that he went to Frankce on 13th February 1915, it would strongly suggest that he had previous service with the Territorial battalion, allowjng him to be quicly trained

The 5th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment, had just started its annual training in camp when war broke out in August 1914. It was sent to Edinburgh until October, then moved to Tunbridge Wells until February 1915. It was then ordered to France, sailing on the 13th aboard s.s. King Edward., arriving at Le Havre the same day.

Over the next few days the battalion marched to billets at Le Bizet, and then undertook instruction in trench warfare. The system was for companies from a battalion to be attached to other battalions for spells in the line, before the sector was allocated to the battalion on its own. In addition to the trench duty, the battalion undertook its share of pioneer work and training in rapid fire.

The Battalion was moved around regularly without seeing action, until 28th April when it was moved to Vlamertinghe, Belgium in readiness to take part in the 1st Battle of Ypres, which had started on the 22nd.

On 2nd May, the Germans launched a violent attack, accompanied by a cloud of chlorine gas, and the battalion was moved into the line for the first time. On 3rd May, it was moved to the new line in front of Wieltje, and then on the 4th it was again moved to Shell Trap Farm. At dawn, they engaged the Germans but by 4pm the enemy was within 400 yards of the British lines, from where they began a heavy bombardment of the British lines.

More shell fire continued through the next day, culminating in heavy concentrated fire about 5 p.m. which resulted in a considerable number of men being buried, many of them killed and wounded. The enemy fire continued until midnight and four attempts were made by the Germans to take the farm, but all were repulsed.
At 2 a.m. on the 6th, the Battalion was relieved and moved to La Brique, having incurred considerable casualties.

On the 8th May, the battalion was once more sent up to the Wieltje sector as it was thought that the enemy had broken through, but it proved to be a false alarm and on the 9th it returned to La Brique, leaving 'C' Company and a machine-gun detachment at Wieltje. It is assumed that Acting Sergeant Lloyd and Privates Baines and Bishop were involved in this action as they are all reported as Killed in Action on this date. None of them have a known grave and all are remembered on the Menin Gate.

A list of Prescot men reported killed which appeared in the Liverpool Daily Post on 31st May 1915

The Manchester Evening News of 24th May 1915 reported Pte Bishop's death, along with other Prescot men John Ackers and Harold Baines

Thomas's father, Oliver, is listed as next of kin on the Register of Soldiers Effects

Thomas Bishop's Memorial Plaque, held by Prescot Museum, courtesy of the Bishop family

Thomas Bishop's 1915 Star, held by Prescot Museum, courtesy of the Bishop family

Thomas's possessions, which were returned to his family after his death and which are held by Prescot Museum. Courtesy of the Bishop family

The images below show the Bishop family grave in St Mary's Churchyard, and also a close up of the inscription to Thomas which is included on the stone

Prescot Roll of Honour

Private 1954 Thomas Henry Bishop

Service Details