The Queens Own Royal West Kent R

The Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment

Private T J Cork

Private Thomas John CORK, L/5793, 1st Battalion, Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment, died of wounds, (tetanus), 13 Stationary Hospital, Boulogne, France, 1st August 1916, age 32.

Born Lambeth, SE, son of Richard & Mary Ann Cork, 40? Wellington Place, Friar? Street, Blackfriars Road, London. Brothers, Clement & John, Sister Norah.

1891 Census - 2 York Buildings, St Johns, Westminster - Richard Cork, head, married, age 31, boiler maker, born Marylebone, London; Mary Ann Cork, wife, married, age 29, born Westminster; Thomas John Cork, son, age 7, born Kensington, London: Norah Louisa Cork, daughter, age 5, born Southwark, London; Sarah Cork, daughter, age 3, born Lambeth, London; Richard Eugene Cork, son, age 2, born Lambeth, London.

13th February 1900, enlisted London, Middlesex, posted Depot, Royal West Kent Regiment, age 15 years & 10 months, height 4ft 9 inches, weight 75lbs, fresh complexion, blue eyes, brown hair, scar right side of forehead; 29th May 1901 to 3rd June 1901, Maidstone Hospital, abscess finger; 13th April 1902, attains the age of 18; 18th November 1902, posted 2nd Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment; 1st May 1903, awarded swimming certificate; 3rd October 1904, awarded 3rd Class Certificate of Education; 30th May 1905 to 6th June 1905, Hong Kong Hospital debility; 21st July 1907 to 16th August 1907, Singapore Hospital, contagion, under observation; 14th October 1907, failed to qualify in Musketry; 20th April 1908 to 30th April 1908 Singapore Hospital, malaria;

27th August 1909, qualified as Regimental Stretcher Bearer; 21st April 1911, posted 1st Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment; 12th February 1912, Dublin, 1st Battalion, "A" Company, Royal West Kent Regiment, discharged. Age 27 years 10 months, height 5ft 8 inches, fresh complexion, blue eyes, brown hair, scar right side of forehead. Intended place of resident, 54? King James Street, Lancaster Street, Blackfriars. Termination of his first period of engagement.

Home 13th February 1900 to 17th November 1902; 18th November 1902 to 4th November 1904; Hong Kong, 5th November 1904 to 28th November 1906; 29th November 1906 to 27th November 1908; 28th November 1908 to 20th April 1911; 21st April 1911 to 12th February 1912.

Resided Blackfriars Road, SE.

25th December 1913, St Matthew, Bethnal Green, Tower Hamlets, Thomas John Cork, age 29, bachelor, omnibus conductor, 27 Kerble? Street, father Richard Cook, deceased, married Annie Florence Leeming, age 23 spinster, 27 Kerble? Street, father, Joseph John Leeming, wood turner.

26th February 1912, re-enlisted & posted Depot, Royal West Kent Regiment; 5th August 1914, mobilized; 6th August 1914, posted Depot, Royal West Kent Regiment; 11th September 1914, posted BEF & 1st Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment; 13th September 1914, 15 Infantry Base Depot, Etaples; 23rd September 1914, joined battalion, "B" Company; 22nd July 1916, wounded, gun shot wound, fingers right hand; 31st July 1916, dangerously ill.

Statement of Relatives - Widow, Annie F Cork, 30, Seymour Road, Leyton; Child - Reginald Thomas Cork, born 11th September 1914, 30, Seymour Road, Leyton; Brothers - John Francis Cork, age 23, 61 Pollock Road, New Kent Road; James Dennis Cork, age 19, 44816, 11th Suffolk Regiment, "A" Company, 4 Platoon, BEF France; Sisters - Mrs Sarah Gabriel, age 31, 247 Southwark Bridge Road, SE; Mrs Norah Heritage?, age not known, address not known.

Buried at Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, VIII. A. 163. Pas de Calais, France.

AWARDS: DCM. and Medaille Militaire (France).

1st Battalion War Diary.

No. 5793. Pte. Thomas Cork - When performing the duties of a stretcher bearer near Hill 60 on 7th May 1915, went to the assistance of a wounded comrade in broad daylight, who was lying in an exposed position under close infantry fire. He took him food and water, crawled with him on his back some 800 yards to a sheltered position, where he left him until he had brought up a stretcher. The position of the wounded man was known by the Medical Officer, who had decided it was impossible to reach him by daylight. Pte. Cork performed this act without orders and entirely on his own initiative.

London Gazette 14th January 1916

5793 Private T. Cork, 1st Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment. Awarded Distinguished Conduct Medal

London Gazette 24th February 1916.

The President of the French Republic has bestowed the decoration " Medaille Militaire " on the under mentioned Warrant Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Men, in recognition of their distinguished service during the campaign:

L/5793 Private Thomas Cork, 1st Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment.

London Gazette 11th March 1916

Awarded Distinguished Conduct Medal

For conspicuous gallantry. As a stretcher bearer he went in broad daylight, to the assistance of a wounded comrade under close infantry fire. He took food and water, crawled back with the wounded man on his back some 300 yards, then went for a stretcher and brought him in. This brave act was entirely voluntary.

This page was last updated on 10-Feb-2026.