Thomas’ parents, Alfred Henry Dinmore and Mary Jane Hemmings were married in the 3rd quarter of 1886. Alfred was born on the 20thDecember 1858 in Woolwich and Mary c1870 in Brisbane, Australia.
They moved several times to accommodate their growing family, having 12 children in total. Two children died in childhood, Dorothy Gladys died in 1912 aged 8 and one other was born and died between the 1901 and 1911 censuses.
Thomas Richard Dinmore was born on the 17th September 1898. His birth certificate shows that he was born at home when the Dinmores were living at 82 Charlton Lane; his father’s occupation is listed as a Strapper at telegraph works. The 1901 census shows a two year old Thomas living with his parents, Alfred and Mary, and his brothers and sisters, Ernest (13), William James (11)(Rifle Brigade/Labour Corps- survivor of the war), Frederick (9), Sidney (8, see Sidney Alfred Dinmore), Nellie (6, possibly died between censuses) and Jessie (2 months).
In between the 1901 and 1911 censuses the Dinmores moved 3 times. The first, according to the electoral register, was to 3 Cedar Grove, Charlton around 1908. A move to 3 Floyd Road, Charlton followed in 1909. Lastly, by the time of the 1911 census they moved to 6 Charlton Lane. They stayed here until at least 1912, possibly later, as this was the last address recorded for Thomas’ father Alfred in the electoral register. Alfred died in Q2 1914 aged 56 (Dartford 2a 656).
Thomas was eager to do his bit for King and Country. He signed on to join the army at Woolwich on 11th February 1915. On his attestation form he states that he was 18 years and 150 days old and was an engineer’s labourer. Along with many boys at the time, looking for a bit of an adventure and excitement, he lied about his age. He was 16 years and 4 months old at the time. He joined the Rifle Brigade like his elder brother William James and was given the regimental number 5843. His medical form states that he was 5’ 3” tall, weighed 100 lbs (7.14 stones or 45.5kg). It also shows that he had grey eyes and brown hair and moles on his chest. On his military history form Thomas states that his next of kin is his brother Frederick who lives at 4 Woolwich Road, Bexleyheath, Kent and his other brother Ernest (possibly in an attempt to hide the fact that he had joined up from his mum!).
His service, this time, ended on 12th March 1915 when he was discharged “in consequence of being not likely to become an efficient soldier (medical grounds) under paragraph 392 iii (e) of the Kings Regulations.” Thomas was discharged at Minster on the Isle of Sheppey after completing 29 days service at the 5th Battalion training depot.
On the 28th October 1915 Thomas signed on again. This time he states that he is 19 years old and is employed as a rubber worker. His next of Kin is his mother Mary Jane, living at 5 Springfield Road, Welling. He was given the regimental number S/14129. Thomas completed his basic training and was posted to the 8th Battalion the Rifle Brigade in France on 2nd March 1916.
The 8th Battalion of the Rifle Brigade were made up of volunteers as part of Kitcheners Army and were formed on 21st August 1914 at Winchester. They joined 41st Brigade in the 14th (Light) Division and landed in Boulogne in May 1915. During that year they were involved in actions at Hooge (near Ypres) where the Division became the first to be attacked by a new terror weapon – the flamethrower. Following that they were involved in the second Attack of Bellewaarde which was a diversionary attack in support of the main offensive at Loos in northern France.
By the time Thomas was posted in, on 2nd March 1916, they had moved south to the Somme. Here they were involved in the Battle of Delville Wood (14/7/16 – 3/9/16) as part of the main Battle of the Somme (1/7/16 – 18/11/16). It was around June when Thomas started feeling unwell. As the Report of Medical Board on his discharge dated 17/8/16 states;
“Originated about June 1916 in France. Has been 4 months in the trenches and was sent to base on account of weakness. Has a constant cough. T.B. found in sputum. All the signs and symptoms of Tuberculosis of both lungs. Result of Active Service. – exposure and strain. Permanent. (too advanced for sanatorium treatment). Total incapacity”
His Army form B. 268. , Proceedings on Discharge, states that he was discharged on medical grounds on 2nd September 1916. It also goes on to state;
“Sober honest and steady. Invalided and permanently disabled (totally incapacitated at present) through Tuberculosis (lungs) due to exposure and strain, the result of active service.”
Thomas finally succumbed to tuberculosis on 6th December 1916. His death certificate shows that his mother, Mary Jane, was at his bedside when he died at the family home 5 Springfield Road, Welling. Interestingly his death certificate also states that he was 20 years old when, in fact, he had just turned 18 three months earlier. Unfortunately Thomas cannot be found on the Commonwealth War Graves website, possibly due to the fact that he had been discharged from the army before he died.
The Trust will be adding Thomas Dinmore to the East Wickham and Welling War Memorial located in St Michael’s Church over the Centenary period.
Commemorated
This story has been researched by volunteers. We have taken every effort to ensure its accuracy. If you are related to Thomas Richard Dinmore, or if you have any further information, please do get in touch.