Thomas's Story.
C.W.G.C. remember just two lads named Thomas Gandy; based on the Northwich Guardian article below and its date which suggests that the Northwich Thomas Gandy had died early February 1917, then the Thomas Gandy who is remembered on the Basra Memorial France (Panel 15.) who served with the 8th Bn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers, Service No 30449, and who died 3rd February 1917 is likely to be the Northwich T. Gandy. No family details are recorded. (See article below; the Guardian Article date says that Thomas served with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers rather then the Cheshire Regiment.)
N.A.M.C. have medal cards for 14 lads named Thomas Gandy or Thomas is one of the Christian names, none with the Cheshire Regiment as stated in the Guardian article below but includes the card for a Thomas Gandy, Pte., with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers No 30449, awarded the British and Victory medals, T.o.W. and D.o.E. not addressed and there is no reference to his death!
Cheshirebmd records the birth of two lads named Thomas Gandy, both in Northwich, 1882 and 1891. The 1911 census has a Gandy family living on 20 Wallace St., Castle, Northwich. Head of the family was George Gandy, aged 53, Waterman for a Salt Manufacture, born St. Helens; Jessie, wife, aged 52, born N/wich, the census records she had had 9 children with just 5 surviving, including Thomas Gandy aged 20, Clogger (Maker) born Northwich; also Samuel aged 17, Blacksmith Apprentice, Ship building Company, born N/wich. (The 20 year old Thomas will have been born in 1891 and the census only records two of the surviving 5 children.)
Northwich Guardian 23rd February 1917. PRIVATE THOMAS GANDY
Mr. and Mrs George Gandy of 20 Wallace Street, Castle, Northwich, were notified by the War Office on Friday that there son Private Thomas Gandy of the Cheshire Regiment had been killed in action on the 6th inst. (Therefore 6th Feb. 1917) The letter was accompanied by expressions of sympathy from the King and Queen with the parents in their bereavement. Private Gandy was 26 years of age and a single man and when joining the Army he worked with his brother, Mr. Edward Gandy boot and shoe dealer of Chester Road Castle. He was called up for the Army in his group in March 1916 and proceeded on active service in September last. He was the fourth son of Mr. George Gandy and was well known in the neighbourhood of Castle. He was a regular attendee of the Congregational Sunday School and Church and was a member of the young men’s Bible Class, conducted by the pastor the Rev. D. Williams. Private Gandy’s father is an old Northwich waterman, having served on the River Weaver for many years.
A Tom Gandy is remembered on the Northwich United Reform Church Memorial and a Thomas Gandy on the Hartford Memorial.
Research Bob H.