WW1 Casualty: Private 3369 Thomas Edgar Rufford Cundill - Private 3369 Thomas Edgar Rufford Cundill
Prescot Reporter
| Unit/Regiment |
1st/5th Bn., South Lancashire Regiment |
| Date of Death |
07/07/1915 |
Age at Death |
22 |
Burial/Memorial
& Reference |
Menin Gate
Panel 37 |
| Census Details |
1901 Census:-
The family lived at St Michaels Road, Ditton and comprised Thomas Cundill, 44, a Street Pavior, his wife Maria, 46, and their seven year old son Thomas.
1911 Census -
51 Moss Street was the home of Thomas Cundill, a 55 year old Pavior with the Urban District Council, his wife of 30 years, Maria, and their 17 year old son Thomas Edgar, a labourer at the Wire Works |
| Birth/Marriage/Death Registrations |
Birth registered Q4/1893, Prescot, 8b, 681 |
| SDGW - Where Born |
St Helens, Lancs |
| Enlisted |
Prescot |
| How Died |
Killed In Action |
Theatre of War |
France & Flanders |
| Notes |
Brother of James Cundill
Appears to have served under mother's maiden name of RUFFORD.
Although there is a discrepancy between the parents' ages in 1901 (as shown here) and 1891 (as shown for James Cundill), they are the same couple.
Private Rufford is remembered on the BICC Memorial. August 1915 "Link". 'Pte Rufford met his fate just two weeks after landing in France' |
| Research Ref. No. |
P071 |
Service DetailsThomas Cundill arrived in France on 28th June 1915 as part of the reinforcements to the 5th Battalion. At that time, the battalion was in support lines on the Yser.
After 25th May, there were no more serious offensive actions from either side as all parties were exhausted, although the battalion remained in the front line until 1st June. Despite the lack of major offensives, there were constant minor engagements between the two sides as they both sought to gain slightly more favourable positions, but generally speaking, all lines remained intact.
The Battalion War Diary for the day on which Thomas died reads,
"7th July 1915
Relieved by 2 Companies of 7th W. York Regt.
We had considerable trouble from an enemy trench mortar throwing a shell of 200 lbs; the effect of the explosion was as great as two 6 inch howitzers and the shell swerved violently to its right first before landing. The enemy shells seem to explode with greater force than had been experienced before. Chlorine was used in the gas shells for the first time in the experience of the battalion. The enemy was working hard during night on the trenches to our front."
Shortly after this, a report of his death appeared in the Prescot Reporter
Image courtesy of Ste M
Thomas' body was never identified and he is remembered on the Menin Gate.
Prescot Reporter 14th September 1917.
Thomas Rufford Cundill's Medal Index Card. His arrival in France on 28th June 1915 entitled him to the 1914-1915 Star in addition to his British War Medal and Victory Medal
Thomas Cundill's inscription on the Menin Gate, showing that he served and died under his mother's maiden name
Thomas' entry in the Register of Soldiers Effects
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