Tommy was the last of ten children, being born on 28th April 1898 in Tolleshunt D’Arcy, Essex - to God-fearing parents Walter and Sarah Saye. It is not known exactly when Tommy joined the Army - his Service Record was amongst the majority lost in a fire during bombing raids on London in WW2.

However, Tommy would have been conscripted (Conscription started 27 January 1916) and he would not have been eligible for overseas service until after his 19th birthday in April 1917. Tommy enlisted into the Royal Field Artillery and became Gunner 216472 in the 157th Brigade. It is known that some of his duties were that of an Officer’s Batman.

On (?) 01 October 1918, Tommy was fatally wounded in the leg. Information gained from a member of the internet’s ‘Great War Forum’ shows Tommy’s 157th Brigade (RFA) was in the area of Wervicq (Zandvoorde, Belguim: at the border with France) at that time.

This was during ‘The Final Advance in Flanders’ : 28.09.1918 – 11.11.1918. During September 1918, the British moved from Mesen to Wervicq. Between the 30th September and the 04th October, the British were fighting the Germans on the River Lys Front – Wervicq being held by the Germans at that time.

Tommy died at 11.30a.m. on 05th October 1918 at the 62 Casualty Clearing Station at Remi Sidings, Lijssenthoek, Belguim and was buried in its cemetery (now ‘Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery’).

14 men died in the Remy Clearing Station that day.

***

Born: 28 April 1898, Tolleshunt D'Arcy, Essex, England.

Awards:

Rank: Gunner 216472 

Regiment: Royal Field Artillery

Unit/ship/squadron: "D" Bty. 157th Bde.