Exon T

EXON, Thomas James
Gunner 181269,
Royal Garrison Artillery

Born - Treforest, Glamorgan abt. 1875
Enlisted - Caerphilly
Residence - Nelson, Glam
Died - 7th May 1918 at home - aged 43yrs

Husband of Annie Exon of 10, Thomas Street, Nelson

Buried at Llanfabon Cemetery, Grave ref 39.7 to the left of the main pathway.

TJ Exon headstone

Before the outbreak of the First World War, Thomas and his wife Annie lived at:

104, Bonvilston Road, Trallwn, Pontypridd.

Thomas at this time was in employment as a road worker. He carried out the general labouring involved in the making of roads, but was also trained as a paving cutter.

Thomas was the third of ten children born to William and Mary Ann Exon. All their children were born in the Pontypridd area and are as follows:

Clara Jane, b. 1873 at Glyntaff
Sarah, b. 1874 at Glyntaff
Thomas James, b abt 1875 at Treforest
Caroline, b. 1882 at Treforest
William George, b.1885 at Glyntaff
Matilda Elizabeth, b.1886 at Treforest
Annie Beatrice, b. 1889 at Glyntaff
Gwendoline, b. 1891 at Glyntaff
Bertha May, b. 1893 at Pontsionnorton, Pontypridd
Martha Blodwen, b. 1896/7 at Coedpenmaen, Pontypridd

News:

Sat May 11th 1918.

Gunner Tom Exon, Royal Garrison Artillery, 16, Thomas Street, Nelson passed away on Tuesday 7th May 1918 at Freshwater Military Hospital, Isle of Wight.
Gunner Exon, 40 years old, who enlisted about 12 months ago and has been in poor health ever since, was only taken to the hospital on Tuesday last.
The nature of his illness is still not known. This is the 3rd Nelson soldier to die whilst in training.

Sat May 18th 1918.

Military Funeral.

On Saturday evening the remains of Gunner Tom Exon, Royal Garrison Artillery, of 10 Thomas Street, were brought home to Nelson from Freshwater, Isle of Wight where he had died in hospital the previous Tuesday.
There was a large and sympathetic crowd awaiting the arrival at the T.V.R. station, and the coffin was borne reverently on the shoulders of friends to the deceased’s home only a short distance away. Gunner Exon was well known locally and prior to being called to the colours worked as a repairer at Penallta Colliery.
He was 40 years of age and it is said he was not at all physically fit for army life, being subject to rheumatism.
The funeral took place on Tuesday at Llanfabon Churchyard with full military honours. The coffin was draped with the Union Jack and was escorted by the Treharris detachment of the discharged sailors and soldiers (under ex Serjt M Andrews).

[Source: Merthyr Express]

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