Thomas Herbert Heaton Private Thomas Herbert Heaton. 15th Battalion (Leeds Pals) West Yorkshire Regiment. Service number: 15/441. Thomas was born in Keighley in early 1889 to parents John P. and Betty Heaton. Father was a worsted manufacturer. Aged 2 years in 1891, he was living at Gate, Haworth with his parents, his sister Winifred H. Heaton, and brother Arthur J. P. Heaton and two servants. In 1898 he started as a pupil at the Keighley Trade and Grammar School's day school. He left a year later and attended Woodhouse Grove School, then he went to Switzerland. He was not present for the 1901 census. Possibly abroad in Switzerland at this time. Mother Betty and two servants were living at Manorlands in Oxenhope. Some time after he returned and took up employment with his Father's business as a Mohair spinner. In 1911 at the age of 22 years, he was living at Manorlands, Oxenhope, with mother Betty Heaton and brother Arthur J. Heaton, and two servants. Thomas enlisted early in the war in 1914 at Leeds with the 'Leeds Pals' and he was the first man from Oxenhope to enlist. He eventually entered Egypt on 22nd December. In March 1916 the 15th battalion was drafted to France. At the age of 27 years, he was killed in action on 1st July - the first day of the Battle of the Somme. He is buried at Serre Road Cemetery No. 1. Plot I. Row C. Grave 30. The flag was hoisted half-mast on the Oxenhope Wesleyan School, with which place he had been closely identified. Awarded the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal for his war service. Keighley News report 22nd July 1916 page 4. Keighley News report 29th July 1916 page 5. He is remembered on the Oxenhope War memorial and the 'Keighlian' Magazine roll of honour for old boys of Keighley Boys Grammar School who died in the Great War. Our SOMME 100 Exhibition is on view in Keighley Library from 2nd July to 19th November 2016 Please contact us at www.menofworth.org.uk.