Thomas Bashforth

Born in Workington in Cumberland in 1888, he was living in Darlington and working as a plasterer, when he enlisted in the 11th Battalion DLI in August 1914. 11 DLI was the 20th Division's Pioneer battalion - digging trenches, repairing roads and, when required, fighting as infantry with rifles and Lewis machine guns.

Sergeant Bashforth of "B" Company 11 DLI was killed in action near Arvillers on 27 March 1918 during the German Offensive south of the River Somme. In just ten days of fighting 11 DLI suffered over 450 casualties killed, wounded, missing or taken prisoner.

Thomas Bashforth has no known grave but his name is recorded on the Pozieres Memorial to the Missing. He was 29 years old.