John's Story.
1984 Private John Thomason, 2nd Shropshire Light Infantry, died of disease (dysentery) in Pretoria Hospital, on February 6, 1901, aged 33. He is buried in Pretoria Cemetery, Church Street, South Africa (Grave 572).
His name is listed on the Shropshire Light Infantry Boer War memorial in Shewsbury.
What else do we know about John Thomason?
John was born on 21st October 1867 in Shropshire, to the north east of Shrewsbury. Several neighbouring villages are named as his place of birth - Withington and Walcot in the 1871 and 1881 censuses, or nearby Uffington, according to his army records. (This is Uffington, near Shrewsbury, Shropshire, rather than the place of same name in Berkshire.)
He was the son of George and Harriett Thomason, and brother to William, Alfred, Joseph and Alice. In 1881, the family home was Wall Cottage, Kinnersley, Shropshire. John enlisted into the SLI on 28th March 1886, aged 18. His occupation then was groom.
On 7th October 1894, just before his 27th birthday, John married Annie Poole at Church Aston, Newport, Shropshire. His residence then was Chetwynd Aston. Annie had been born in Wellington, Shropshire. They had four children - Frederick, Harriet Rose, May and John Alfred. The three older children were born in Newport and the youngest child John Alfred was born on 3 December 1899 at 39 South Street, Crewe.
LNWR employment records show that by 1st June 1897, John was working for the railway company as a striker, employee number 2100. This role was assistant to a blacksmith, and probably involved him laying track. His references came from W. Hull, Lillishall, near Newport, Shropshire.
He was sent to South Africa with 2nd Btn KIng's Shropshire Light Infantry. A message issued by the War Office on 2nd February 1901 reported that he was dangerously ill in Pretoria Hospital. He died on 6th February of dysentery, aged 33, and was buried in Church Street Cemetery, Pretoria, grave 572.
His Deceased Soldiers' Effects entry (below) shows his place of birth, enlistment date and that he was married to Anne. The census of 31st March 1901 lists widowed Annie living with her four children at 39 South Street, Crewe, not far from her retired parents-in-law George and Harriett, whose address was 3 Davenport Street, Crewe.
John's name and regimental number (1984) appear on the official medal list (extract below)
He was the son of George and Harriett Thomason, and brother to William, Alfred, Joseph and Alice. In 1881, the family home was Wall Cottage, Kinnersley, Shropshire. John enlisted into the SLI on 28th March 1886, aged 18. His occupation then was groom.
On 7th October 1894, just before his 27th birthday, John married Annie Poole at Church Aston, Newport, Shropshire. His residence then was Chetwynd Aston. Annie had been born in Wellington, Shropshire. They had four children - Frederick, Harriet Rose, May and John Alfred. The three older children were born in Newport and the youngest child John Alfred was born on 3 December 1899 at 39 South Street, Crewe.
LNWR employment records show that by 1st June 1897, John was working for the railway company as a striker, employee number 2100. This role was assistant to a blacksmith, and probably involved him laying track. His references came from W. Hull, Lillishall, near Newport, Shropshire.
He was sent to South Africa with 2nd Btn KIng's Shropshire Light Infantry. A message issued by the War Office on 2nd February 1901 reported that he was dangerously ill in Pretoria Hospital. He died on 6th February of dysentery, aged 33, and was buried in Church Street Cemetery, Pretoria, grave 572.
His Deceased Soldiers' Effects entry (below) shows his place of birth, enlistment date and that he was married to Anne. The census of 31st March 1901 lists widowed Annie living with her four children at 39 South Street, Crewe, not far from her retired parents-in-law George and Harriett, whose address was 3 Davenport Street, Crewe.
John's name and regimental number (1984) appear on the official medal list (extract below)
Compiled by S. Lewington 2025.
If you have further information about John, please contact Cheshire Roll.