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| Barnsley Independent 30th October 1915 Thanks to Barnsley Archives |
Son of: Edward Thorn (1850-1936, died age 86) and Elizabeth Thorn nee Jacques. Edward was born in Firbeck, Yorks and was a check weighman at a colliery. The couple were married at St George's Church on 28th May 1871 and had 12 children but only 6 were still living in 1911. The children were born in Dodworth but most of the family moved to the Shaw Lane area of Barnsley by the time war broke out. Three sons served in the war, and Stanley was the youngest and unmarried.
- Thomas Henry 1871-1909, died age 37
- Annie 1873
- William 1875, served in the Highland Light Infantry and survived the sinking of the 'Transylvania'.
- Charles Edward 1881-1944, died age 63
- Alfred 1886, served overseas in the Y&L Regiment. He wrote letters to the local newspapers describing his experiences during the war. In January he wrote to the Barnsley Chronicle from the Stoke War Hospital, Newcastle (Staffs) where he was being treated for a breakdown in health and was unable to walk.
- Clara Grace 1891
- Stanley 1893-1915 WW1 death
Military Service: Stanley was a private in the Highland Light Infantry 10th battalion, service number 1782.
Death: Killed in action on 25th September 1915 at the Battle of Loos.
Remembered: Stanley has no known grave and is remembered on the Loos memorial on panel 108 to 112.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission link: here
The Barnsley Independent of 30th October 1915 reported that a letter was received one month ago from another soldier stating that Stanley had been killed, and his father who resided at Shaw lane Barnsley had suffered great suspense and contacted the War Office before receiving official news of his son's death.
The newspaper reported
[...] "When a youth, young Thorn was apprenticed to learn the engineering trade at Messrs. Qualter and Smith Brothers, engineers and ironfounders, Summer Lane, Barnsley. He subsequently secured a post in the fitting shop at the Church Lane Collieries, Dodworth and was afterwards transferred to the Chemical works at Barugh. He was employed at the last named works when he enlisted early in December last. Since that time he has only visited his home once, and that was last Easter. However he always made a practice of writing home once a week. The following are extracts from the last letter he wrote to his sister
'Ask father to get me a good thick wool jersey and a pair of good thick wool gloves to wear at nights when it turns quite cold. You will get another silk-worked card about the time you
get this letter, so look out for it. It has all the Allies flags worked on it and it looks very pretty and neat. You would be surprised to see what a large number are sold. I wish you the best
of luck and trust that God will bring this war to a speedy termination. It will be a good job when it is finished and the soldiers home safe and sound again'" [...]
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