| Description | Work completed by volunteer includes the following information:
Thomas was born 8 Jul 1885 in Beverley, son of John Thomas and Annie Elizabeth Cussons. In 1891 the family lived in Newbegin, Beverley. By 1901 the family lived at Coxwold House, Keldgate, Beverley. John was a self employed tanner. Thomas was a boarder at Giggleswick Grammar School, he left in 1903. In 1911 Thomas was living in Beverley and was employed as a tanner. He was also a member of the 5th Battalion of the East Yorkshire Regiment territorial force with the rank of Lieutenant.
In 1912 Thomas took up farming in New Zealand. At the outbreak of war in 1914 he joined the New Zealand Imperial Forces as a private. He served at Gallipoli where he was wounded in 1915 and returned to England. After recovering he was posted to France and took part in the Battle of the Somme. The New Zealanders attacked the German lines on the morning of 20 Sep near Flers. Thomas was shot in the jaw and neck and died of wounds on 22 Sep 1916.
Private Thomas Richard Cussons, 1st Battalion Auckland Regiment was buried at St Sever Cemetery, Rouen.
Thomas is remembered on the Keldgate Shrine, East Riding Memorial Beverley Minster and the Hengate War Memorial
Includes photograph, information taken from census, military records, Commonwealth War Graves, newspapers |