Rifleman Thomas Clifford Williams died of wounds on 28th April 1918 whilst serving with the London Regiment (Queen Victoria’s Rifles). He was 27 years old and was born in Solihull in 1890.
Thomas Clifford Williams was baptised at St Alphege Church, Solihull on 17th December 1890 and was the elder of the two children of parents Thomas Joseph Edward (a silk mercer) and Minnie (née Clarke). His younger sister, Phyllis Norah, was born in Dorridge on 13th June 1894, and was baptised at St Giles’ Church, Packwood.
Having moved from Solihull to Dorridge between 1890 and 1894, the family then moved from Dorridge to Bournemouth between 1901 and 1911. At the time of the 1911 census they were at Towercliffe, Bournemouth and Thomas (senior) was recorded as a boarding house keeper. 20-year-old Thomas (junior) was listed as a tailor.
We don’t know when Thomas enlisted in the Army but he didn’t see active service before 1916. He died of wounds at no. 5 Casualty Clearing Station, France and is buried at Crouy British Cemetery, Crouy-sur-Somme. Having moved away from Solihull and Dorridge by 1911, his name is not included on any war memorials locally.
His sister, Phyllis Norah, married John Bill in 1920, and died in Wolverhampton in 1972, aged 78. It looks as if his parents remained in Bournemouth until their deaths. Thomas Joseph Edward Williams, retired hotel proprietor, died there in 1947, aged 90. His widow, Minnie, died the following year, aged 81.
If you have any further information on the family, please let us know.
Tracey
Heritage & Local Studies Librarian
tel.: 0121 704 6977
email: heritage@solihull.gov.uk
Solihull Life 
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