First Tank Crews

Hi FTC. There is a report in the Coventry Evening Telegraph 30th March 1916 under the heading "Warwickshire Appeals" "Position of conscientious objectors". John Thomas 58 Earlsdon Street represented by Mr Mander. Basically he had tried to sell his business without success, he was the only Ironmongers in the district. He produced 2 medical certificates. He was granted 1 more month until April 30th. Hope this is a little help. Looking at the map I believe 58 Earlsdon Street is now Boots the Chemist!

Hello Anne Thanks for following up so quickly and also for the very useful information. He must have managed to sort out his business affairs quite quickly as he joined the Army at Coventry in the week of 25 May

Hello. On the 1939 register, at 163 Earlsdon Avenue, there is John THOMAS born 1887 11th February, with Hilda M (May?) THOMAS (probably nee LINES). Hilda's dob is 1898 29th October. John THOMAS is recorded as a Master Ironmonger, Hilda is Unpaid domestic duties. There is one redacted entry, and that is probably for Audrey J THOMAS, born 1929. John and Hilda were married in 1927 Q2 Coventry. The image is from the 1935 Coventry directory.

Thought I was going mad then until I realised he must have moved down the road. At some time, probably during the war, he must have given up the shop at 58 which eventually became Boots the Chemist. He then traded from 52 Earlsdon Street. He is still advertising there in 1953.

J Thomas 1911 Which is still Boots

Thanks for that, what a brilliant picture. I have researched a bit for John's birth place but got nowhere so far. Others have published 'trees' on Ancestry but I think they've mixed him up with a John Frith THOMAS. I have an idea that John the Master Ironmonger was born in Cornwall, maybe Camborne. John Frith THOMAS lived in Bulwer Road (Radford?) John THOMAS died in 1964 13th May 163 Earlsdon Avenue, probate to Hilda May THOMAS widow, and Robert Arthur BRINDLEY, solicitor (Brindley Twist Tafft James?)

Thanks once again for helping my research and for the superb additional information. "My" John Thomas was definitely born on 11 Feb 87 and the date of his marriage rings true as he was living with his mother until 1927. His Army records show he was born in London, his father was Danish who was naturalised in 1885. He commanded the Whippet tank "Comme Ca" in August 1918 during the battle of Amiens when the Allied Armies broke through the German defences and then pushed forward for 10 days, defeating the German Army in the field,.

So he was a 'JORGENSEN' ?

The record does not given his father's name; his mother's name was Mayer but he seems to have been known as "Thomas" by 1911. No sign of siblings but Audrey J Thomas, whose mother's maiden name was Lines was born in 3rd qtr 1929 in C

More info; In the Coventry 1926 directory there is at number 4 Albany Road, Mrs. Elizabeth Frances MAYOR. On the 1939 register (courtesy 'findmypast') living at 52 Kensington Road Coventry; Elizabeth F MAYER b.25th June 1858 Unpaid domestic duties, widow. Christine M THOMAS b.21st March 1885 Dog and Poultry shop, single.

Your info on Elizabeth matches mine but I can't find where she was born. I think Christine must have been John's sister - she died in Coventry in 1957. The houses in Albany Road look substantial - was it a reasonably affluent place?

Not having all the information it's difficult to follow but am I correct in thinking that Elizabeth was married to Mr Thomas and then Mr Mayer or have you found Mayer as her maiden name ? Hooe that makes sense !!

I think you've hit the nail on the head here, Heathite Marriage, 19 Sep 1881, Christ Church, Gipsey Hill, Lambeth Carl Thomas Jorgensen ***, 25, bachelor, Ship Broker, res. Leighton, Essex (*** he died 14 September 1887 at 57 Palace Road, Crouch End, Middlesex) Elizabeth Frances Brain, 23, spinster, res. Camden Villas, Gipsey Hill Birth, March 1/4 1887, Edmonton 3a 286 Thomas John Jorgensen, mother's maiden name Brain The marriage in 1927 of Hilda M Lines is indexed twice, to John Thomas and to John Jorgensen Elizabeth Frances Brain - her birth was registered as Frances Elizabeth Brain Sept 1/4 1858, Hackney 1b 287

"John Thomas" had two sisters: Elizabeth Amanda, birth reg. Sept

I believe the missing marriage is here: June 1/4 1907, Barton upon Irwell 8c 1216 Gustave Frederick Myers and Elizabeth Francis Jorgensen