Thomas Henry Gavin

Age 31    Married

Private 240941
1^st/5^th Bn., East Lancashire Regiment

Died of wounds on
Friday 8^th November 1918

The name WILLIAM Henry Gavin appears on the Primary School plaque and the name W H CARVIN appears on the St Nicholas Church plaque.  As I have been unable to find any information on these two names, I believe them both to be same person -  Thomas Henry Gavin who attended both the school and church.

Thomas lived at his parents' home in Padiham Road , Sabden and attended the County School and St Nicholas's Church.  After leaving school, he was employed at Messrs Steiner and Company Printworks, Sabden.  After the death of his parents Thomas went to live with his sister and brother-in-law, Mr and Mrs Robert Fish, at their Pendle Street East home.  

Thomas joined the army in 1915 and after his training period he came home on a week's leave and married his long term sweetheart, Mary Anne.  Thomas went on to serve throughout the Western-Front and was involved in much severe fighting.  

As the country celebrated the end of the war, Mrs Gavin received a letter from one of her husband's comrades, in which he informed her that Thomas had been wounded and died just three days before the armistice.  Official news of his death did not arrive until February 1919.

Thomas Henry Gavin is buried at the Caudry British Cemetery , Nord , France .