Lance Corporal 12751 Thomas William Emerson

7th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment

Killed in action on the Western Front on the 2nd January 1918 aged 29 years.

He was re-buried at Epehy Wood Farm Cemetery, Epehy, Somme, France in August 1919. The inscription is 'NOT DEAD BUT LIVING UNTO THEE'

Son of John E. and Fanny Emerson, North St., Rothley. Siblings Florence, Clara E., John G., Laura E., Elsie, Emily, Louisa, Beatrice (Eva) and Fanny Jane (Jenny). Husband of Anna Florence Emerson, Woodfield Road, Rothley

Named on the War Memorial, Parish Church Roll of Honour and Parish Church Triptych Roll of Honour.

A letter was printed in the Melton Times 21st January 1916 from Pte. T.W.Emerson of A Coy. 7th Leicesters:

"Will you kindly allow me to express my thanks to the people of Rothley for their kindness to the sons of the village who have enlisted? Personally, I consider the gift a generous one and the contents helped me greatly towards making a happy Christmas-arriving as it did on Christmas Day."

The War Diary entry for the 1st January 1918 records:
Map Ref: 5Yc. SE4-62c. Ne2. 5.30pm. The Battalion relieved the 6th Leicestershire Regt in the line. Dispositions of companies as follows. Right front Company "A" Company, centre front Company "C" Company, left front Company 1 platoon and light gun "B" Company, Battalion HQ. X.25.a.5.0. Support Company 2 platoons "B" Company. The relief was carried out by 7.00pm. 9pm. A patrol of 1 officer and 6 other ranks came into contact with a large party of enemy in the neighbourhood of the abandoned front line trench (X.20a) 2 of our patrol were killed in hand to hand fighting and 1 was wounded. Several casualties were inflicted on the enemy party.