Thomas Robert Raven

Formerly a Gunner with the Royal Garrison Artillery, Thomas died on 2nd of February 1924 at the age of 32.

Thomas was born at Earsham, Norfolk, on 12 July 1891, a son of Robert and late Sarah Eliza Raven. He was baptised at Earsham, on 11 April 1892. In 1901 they lived 'near Ivy Farm', Beccles Road, Carlton Colville. By 1911 Thomas' mother had died and his father married Harriet. In 1911 his family lived at 7 Beccles Road, Oulton Broad, and Thomas worked as a scavenger.

Note: some record transcripts state that the was born at Barnby. 

Thomas enlisted in the Army around May 1918 and went to France about August 1918. He joined the Royal Garrison Artillery, service number 209426. He served with 38th Siege Battery. On 17 November 1918 he was admitted to 136 Field Ambulance, suffering from influenza. He returned to duty on 27 November 1918.

After the war Thomas was discharged from the Army and he worked as a scavenger for Lowestoft Corporation, based at Rotterdam Road. 

He became unwell and the 1921 Census shows him as an in-patient at the East Suffolk County Council Hospital, Normanston, Lowestoft. His illness was attributable to his war service and he was awarded a pension of 40 shillings per week from 14 November 1921. This high level of pension indicates that Thomas was severely incapacitated by his illness.  

Thomas was buried at Saint Peter's Churchyard, Carlton Colville, on 7 February 1924. In note in the burial register states 'Died from a disease contracted in the Great War'.

Thomas' brothers Alfred and Christopher both died in 1915.