THOMAS+WAGSTAFF

__Soldiers died in the Great War 1914 - 1919__

Wagstaff, Thomas, Acting Sergeant, 43726, 7th Bn, Norfolk Regiment Born Fenney Bentley, Derbyshire Enlisted Ashbourne, Derby Killed in action France & Flanders 12th October 1916

__Commonwealth War Graves Commission__ (www.cwgc.org)

Aged 27 Son of James and Charlotte Wagstaff, of Fenny Bentley, Ashbourne, Derbyshire Beaulencourt British Cemetery, Ligny-Thilloy, IV, C, 25

__Ashbourne News, 22nd December 1916__

Thomas Wagstaff joined the Notts & Derby Regiment in April 1906, and was a reservist when war broke out. He rejoined his regiment on 6th August 1914, and landed in France on the 7th September. He took part in the battle of the Aisne, where he was wounded in both thighs. He was wounded a total of three times during his two years and three months of active service, before being transferred to the Norfolk Regiment on 15th July 1916. He was reported missing, and was last seen leading his men ‘with great courage and skill in the attack.’ The Ashbourne News of 5th May 1916 mentions that he was a member of the 2nd Bn, Notts & Derby Regiment, and was formerly employed in Brassington.