Private Thomas Leslie Duckmanton
15783 Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby) Regiment
Thomas Leslie Duckmanton was born in 1890 at Jacksdale, son of John Duckmanton an iron puddler, born Tissington, Derby and his wife Mary (nee Needham). Siblings were John W., Henry, Annie, Samuel (who also served WW1), Florrie, Fanny, Gladys, Charles Arthur, Robert and Kate. He was one of eleven children of whom nine survived infancy. In 1911 Thomas had left home and moved to Durham, boarding at 52, Mainsforth Terrace, West Hartlepool, and was employed as a zinc distiller at a zinc works.
Thomas joined up on 7th September 1914 at Derby. He was aged 22 and of slight build, being 5’3″ tall, with a 34″ chest, a sallow complexion, hazel eyes and brown hair. He gave his parents’ address as New Westwood, Notts and his civilian occupation as a fitter. On 16th March 1915 Thomas embarked for France with the British Expeditionary Force. Only two months later, on 9th May 1915, he was wounded in action. He returned home to the UK on 12th May 1915 remaining in the Army until 1917 when he was found no longer physically fit for war service and was discharged. Thomas was awarded a 1914-15 Star, Victory and British War Medals as well as Silver War Badge number 298867.
He married Dorothy Langford in Nottingham in 1918 and they had a son, named John L. in 1919.