Private Thomas Naylor
18310 IV Corps Divisional Cyclist Battalion
Thomas was born in 1894 in Jacksdale, Notts son of Thomas Naylor a coal miner dataller born Ironville and his wife Lydia Sigourney (nee Young). born London, Essex. In 1911 the family was living at Sedgwick Street, Jacksdale. Thomas had siblings Elizabeth, Joseph, William Charles and Louisa. In 1911 Thomas was employed as a shop assistant for a clothiers and his elder brother William Charles as a bricklayer at Heanor Technical School. Sister Louisa Sigourney is also still living at home. In 1916 his sister Louisa married a soldier named Herbert Edwards, who gave his residence as Sedgwick Street, Jacksdale but he is not listed on the Jacksdale War Memorial. Tragically just two years later Lydia died, aged only 28 and a prayer desk at Westwood, St. Mary’s is dedicated to her memory as she was the church organist.
Thomas’s Medal Rolls Index Card indicates he was a recipient of the British War and Victory medals. Little other military information has been forthcoming. The Absent Voters Roll of 1918/1919 states that Thomas was absent serving with the “4th Corps, Cyclist Battalion”. Cyclists were used for reconnaissance and communications work, being light, fast, fairly quiet and easier to handle than horses. Most served within the UK as cycles were not very effective in areas of trench warfare but some cyclist divisions saw active service overseas.
Thomas married Hilda Mary Bradshaw of Oxton Road, Southwell in 1919 and they had a son named Kenneth.
Thomas died in 1950 at Southwell.