Trafford

Born during the December quarter 1891 in the Salford R.D. - ref: 8d/2, the
son of John William and Eliza Ann Mears (nee Roper)

1901 Census - 45 Hayes Road, Irlam, Cadishead.   Son - aged: 9 - born:
Weaste, Salford.  Head of household - John Mears - Married - aged: 42 -
occ: Labourer (Ship Canal) - born: Hampstead, London.  Also - Eliza Mears -
Wife - aged: 37 - born: Sheffield, Yorkshire.    Plus 5 siblings that
included his two brothers who would also be killed in WW1.

1911 Census - 10 Whitfield Street, Cadishead.   Son - aged: 19 - occ:
General Labourer - born: Eccles.   Head of household - John Mears - Married
- aged: 53 - occ: Foreman Labourer (Ship Canal Coy) - born: Hampstead,
London.  Also - Eliza Mears - Wife - aged: 46 - born: Sheffield, Yorkshire.
   Plus 4 siblings that included his two brothers who would also be killed
in WW1.    His father, his two brothers and himself all worked for the
Manchester Ship Canal Company.

Two of their eight children had died by 1911 and all three of their sons
would be killed during WW1.

I am most grateful to Neil Drum & Pete Thomas for allowing me to use
verbatim the following extract from their superb 623 page book "A District
at War - Irlam & Cadishead's Part in the Great War", an incredibly detailed
and comprehensive book that is not only a credit to them, but a magnificent
memorial to the WW1 men of that district.

Served with the 8th (Service) Battalion, The East Lancashire Regiment,
112th
Brigade, 37th Division.   Thomas was born in Weaste and resided in Atherton
Lane, Cadishead. (For details of his family see the earlier entry for his
brother, Stanley Mears).   He was known locally as "Bumper" and played for
the Cadishead football team.    He was employed as a topman at the
Partington coaling basin until enlisting at Manchester.

He sailed with the 8th Battalion for France on 2nd September 1915.   In
early July 1916 he was wounded on the Somme, suffering bayonet and gunshot
wounds and was evacuated to a hospital at Wimereux on the French coast for
treatment. His brother John, who was serving in France at the time with the
Royal Garrison Artillery, was able to visit him in hospital.

Thomas died of wounds in hospital in Wimereux on Tuesday, 18th July 1916,
only four days after the death of his younger brother, Stanley.   He was 25
years old.  It is believed that his brother John was present with him when
he died.   His headstone has the following inscription:  "Gone but will
never be forgotten by father and mother and sisters".    Medal Entitlement:
15 Star Trio.