Thomas William was born on 13 December 1896, the son of Durham-born Thomas Mitchell and his wife Mary Eliza, who was born in Birmingham. The family moved to Shipley sometime before 1891 because in the 1901 census, it says their eldest child, 10-year-old Florence was born in the town. At that stage they were living at 6 Huntley Street but when Thomas and his sister Maria were baptised at St Margaret’s, Frizinghall, on 20 January 1897 their address was given as 36 Spring Place. Thomas snr was described as a quarryman in that document and a navvy in 1901. By the time of the 1911 census, Thomas William is a 14-year-old

bricklayer living with his mother and sister Maria at 15 Dale Street. Mary Eliza is given as having been married for 16 years, had seven children of whom, five are still living. But there is no indication where Thomas snr is living. Thomas was 17 when war broke out and was one of the first men from the area called up. On 16 October 1917, the Shipley Times & Express reported: ‘L Cpl Thomas William Mitchell, West Riding Regt, eldest son of Mrs Mitchell, 15 Dale Street, Shipley, has been killed in action. ‘Being a Territorial, he was called up on the outbreak of war and had served two and a half years in

France. ‘He was formerly associated with Windhill Church Boy Scouts. By trade he was a bricklayer. He was 20 years of age. ‘Lieut Percy G Bales writes: “I am very sorry to tell you what, I fear, you already know – that your son was killed in action on October 9th when the Battalion was engaged in a big battle. “As a Lance- Corporal in the Scout Section he had been working under me for several months. I always found him very willing,

cheerful and hard working. “He was a good observer and a very good man at patrol. Not long ago the brigadier personally congratulated him upon a very good patrol he had made under extremely difficult conditions. “He was a man I shall find it very hard indeed to replace.”