Private Tom Alcock
538 1/1st East Lancs Royal Army Medical Corps
Died 13th August 1915 on the Royal Edward, aged 17
Lived at 2a Bracewell Street
Commemorated on the Helles Memorial Turkey
St Peters Memorial, Burnley
Commemorated on the Burnley Lads Club Memorial

Tom Alcock was the son of Joseph and Elizabeth Alcock of 21 (previously 23) Godley Street, Burnley. He enlisted in Burnley and served as Private 538 in the 2nd/2nd East Lancashire Field Ambulance of the Royal Army Medical Corps.

Burnley Express 4/9/1915 (P) reported that his father and sister resided at 21 Godley Street and that he was previously a weaver at Fraser Street Manufacturing Company’s Mill.

The Burnley Express of 18th May 1918 reported his brother was missing:-

“Medallist missing"

As Mrs W Allcock 2A Bracewell Street has not heard from her husband , Corpl. Walter Allcock 16304 East Lancashire Regi., since March 21st when he sent a field card, she is anxious to hear further news. A letter received from an officer received on April 23rd stating that the soldier was wounded and missing, and since then an official notification from the War Office stated that he is missing between March 23rd and April 2nd. Corpl Alcock enlisted at the age of 24 years in September 1914 and was sent abroad in June 1915. He had been wounded in the shoulder and had suffered from dysentery.
In April 1917 he was awarded the Military Medal for bravery and had the medal pinned on his breast at the front. Before enlisting he was a weaver at Heasandford Mill.
A brother went down on the Royal Edward and another brother is serving; while a brother-in-law is also in the Army, and another brother in law, whilst a time-expired man, rejoined and served in the Lancashire Fusiliers, and is now a discharged soldier, being presented with a watch by his regimental comrades on leaving the corps.. Mrs Alcock has a brother serving in France.”

Notes
Tom Alcock was admitted to St Peter’s Infant School on 14/9/03. His date of birth was 13/9/98. His father was Joseph Alcock and he lived at 21 Godley Street.

Tom Alcock born on 13th September 1898 was admitted to St Peter’s School (Mixed Department) on 6th March 1906 and left on 15th August 1911 for fulltime work. His address was given as 21 Godley Street and his father was Joseph Alcock..

1901 Census – 23 Forest Street – Joseph Alcock (48) joiner (wood) born Bolton, Elizabeth (44) born Bolton, Fred (23) hairdresser born Bolton, Charles (21) clogger born Bolton, Susannah (19) weaver, Walter (11), Mary (9), Tom (2)