Trafford

Born during the December quarter 1890 in the Altrincham R.D. - ref: 8a/183,
the son of Edwin & Hannah Elizabeth Darlington (nee Hooson).

1891 Census - No Trace.

1901 Census - Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire.    Son - aged: 10 - born:
Knutsford.   Head of household - Edwin Darlington - Married - aged: 32 -
occ: Gardener (domestic) - born: Knutsford.    Also - Elizabeth Darlington
- Wife - aged: 37 - born: Chester.   Plus 2 younger brothers.

1911 Census - 2 Sparrow Lane, Knutsford.    Son - aged: 20 - occ: Law Clerk
- born: Knutsford.    Head of household - Edwin Darlington - Married -
aged: 42 - occ: Gardener (domestic) - born: Knutsford.    Also - Hannah
Elizabeth Darlington - Wife - aged: 47 - born: Chester.   Plus 2 younger
brothers.

A Choirboy at St. Cross P.C. and a member of the Church Lads Brigade.

Employed by Messrs. Sedgley, Caldecutt & Co, Solicitors, Knutsford.

Emigrating to Canada, he sailed from Liverpool on the 22nd March 1912
aboard the S.S. Great Britain, bound for St. John's New Brunswick.  His
occupation was recorded as a "Down Maker".  He took up employment with the
Canadian Railway Company.

Following the outbreak of war, he returned to England departing Montreal,
Quebec aboard the S.S. Scandinavian, arriving back in England on the 21st
November 1914.

WO363 - Enlisted on the 21st of December he and one of his brothers
enlisted and joined the Manchester Rgt.   He was aged, 24 years 1 month and
4 days.  His address was 2 Sparrow Lane, Knutsford and employed as a Clerk.
  Initially joining the 20th Bn, Manchester Rgt, he was promoted to the
rank of Corporal on the 11th February 1915.   Posted to France on the 9th
November 1915.   Appointed Unpaid Sergeant on the 1st August 1915.  
Awarded the Military Medal - Gazetted on the 1st September 1916.

CWGC - Son of Edwin and the late Elizabeth Darlington of 38 Tolland Lane,
Hale, near Altrincham.


Born during the December quarter 1890 in the Altrincham R.D. - ref: 8a/183,
the son of Edwin & Hannah Elizabeth Darlington (nee Hooson).

1891 Census - No Trace.

1901 Census - Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire.    Son - aged: 10 - born:
Knutsford.   Head of household - Edwin Darlington - Married - aged: 32 -
occ: Gardener (domestic) - born: Knutsford.    Also - Elizabeth Darlington
- Wife - aged: 37 - born: Chester.   Plus 2 younger brothers.

1911 Census - 2 Sparrow Lane, Knutsford.    Son - aged: 20 - occ: Law Clerk
- born: Knutsford.    Head of household - Edwin Darlington - Married -
aged: 42 - occ: Gardener (domestic) - born: Knutsford.    Also - Hannah
Elizabeth Darlington - Wife - aged: 47 - born: Chester.   Plus 2 younger
brothers.

A Choirboy at St. Cross P.C. and a member of the Church Lads Brigade.

Employed by Messrs. Sedgley, Caldecutt & Co, Solicitors, Knutsford.

Emigrating to Canada, he sailed from Liverpool on the 22nd March 1912
aboard the S.S. Great Britain, bound for St. John's New Brunswick.  His
occupation was recorded as a "Down Maker".  He took up employment with the
Canadian Railway Company.

Following the outbreak of war, he returned to England departing Montreal,
Quebec aboard the S.S. Scandinavian, arriving back in England on the 21st
November 1914.

WO363 - Enlisted on the 21st of December he and one of his brothers
enlisted and joined the Manchester Rgt.   He was aged, 24 years 1 month and
4 days.  His address was 2 Sparrow Lane, Knutsford and employed as a Clerk.
  Initially joining the 20th Bn, Manchester Rgt, he was promoted to the
rank of Corporal on the 11th February 1915.   Posted to France on the 9th
November 1915.   Appointed Unpaid Sergeant on the 1st August 1915.  
Awarded the Military Medal - Gazetted on the 1st September 1916.

CWGC - Son of Edwin and the late Elizabeth Darlington of 38 Tolland Lane,
Hale, near Altrincham.

I am grateful to the website - www.cheshireroll.co.uk for the following
information:

Tom obtained a Commission with the Royal West Surrey Rgt on the 6th January
1917.  Tom would have then served in Italy with the regiment. The Royal
West Surrey regiment entrained on the 1st March 1918 at Padova goods
station and proceeded to France, detraining on the 6th March at Doullens,
they then marched to their billets at Ivergny. The regiment then advanced
through France to take up a position in Flanders on the Ypres Salient. On
the 29th September they received orders that the 123rd Brigade would attack
at 7.30 a.m. with the Middlesex Regiment on the right and the Royal West
Kent’s on the left with the Queen’s in support, the Wervicq – Comines
railway. During the attack they encountered heavy machine gun and shell
fire, and had to fall back owing to casualties and exposed flanks. On the
1st October they marched to Ypres – Menin Road via Tenbrielen and
America. At 4.25 p. m. orders were received for the Battalion to attack
with the 23rd Middlesex Regiment on the right and make good the railway
Wervicq – Menin, after 1500 yards it came under very heavy machine gun
fire, the Battalion halted and dug in. Lieutenant, Tom Darlington was
killed in action, 01/10/1918, aged 27 years.

His award of the Military Cross in 1918 was accompanied by the following
citation.
“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When shelters were blown
in by enemy shelling and several men were buried, this officer and four men
after nearly three hours digging under heavy shellfire which necessitated
them in taking refuge several times, succeeded in rescuing one man alive.
This rescue was due to his example of energy and determination.