Tom Bramwell

Tom Bramwell was the fifth son of Peter Bramwell & Susannah Crossland

His birth was registered in the Sept Qtr 1880 but no record of his baptism has been found.

1881 Census - Church Brow, CELF
Peter Bramwell - Head - Mar - 34 - Slater - Dby, CELF
Susannah Bramwell - Wife - Mar - 33 - Dby, CELF
William Bramwell - Son - Um - 5 - Scholar - Dby, CELF
George Bramwell - Son - Um - 4 - Scholar - Dby, CELF
Peter Bramwell - Son - Um - 2 - Dby, CELF
Thomas Bramwell - Son - Um - 8mths - Scholar - Dby, CELF

1891 Census - Church Brow, Chapel-en-le-Frith
Susannah Bramwell - Wife - Mar - 43 - Dby, CELF
William Bramwell - Son - Um - 15 - Guard Boy Port - Dby, CELF
Peter Bramwell - Son - Um - 12 - Dby, CELF
Tom Bramwell - Son - Um - 10 - Scholar - Dby, CELF
Mary Bramwell - Daur - Um - 8 - Scholar - Dby, CELF
Bertha Bramwell - Daur - Um - 4 - Scholar - Dby, CELF
James Bramwell - Son - Um - 2 - Dby, CELF

1901 Census - Church Brow, CELF
Peter Bramwell - Head - Mar - 54 - Plater - Dby, CELF
Susannah Bramwell - Wife - M - 54 - Dby, CELF
William Bramwell - Son - Um - 24 - General Labourer - Dby, CELF
Peter Bramwell - Son - Um - 22 - Blacksmith - Dby, CELF
Tom Bramwell - Son - Um - 19 - General Labourer - Dby, CELF
Mary Ellen Bramwell - Daur - Um - 18 - Blouse Machinist - Dby, CELF
James Bramwell - Son - 11 - Scholar - Dby, CELF
Sarah Elizth Bramwell - Daur - 9 - Scholar - Dby, CELF

Tom served with "B" Company 1st/6th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) in the 1st World War. Sadly he was killed on 19 May 1915 at Kemmel in Belgium. His death is commemorated on the War Graves Commission website.

High Peak News, Saturday May 29th 1915
Chapel-en-le-Frith

Private Bramwell Killed

All Chapel-en-le-Frith was grieved to hear of the death of Pte. Tom Bramwell, who rejoined the Territorials - for he was a reserve man - at the beginning of the war and went to France a short while ago. Pte. Bramwell was an exceedingly well known person in the town and resided on the Market Place. He was 34 years of age.

A letter of condolence has been received from Col. Goodman, as follows: "I am extremely sorry to say that your son Tom was killed in the trenches late last night. He was shot in the spine, I believe, and only lived a short time. He will be buried tonight in the British Cemetery not far away and I shall attend with any who can be spared. Tom has done his work & duty well since he has been with the Battalion. I deeply regret his loss & sympathise with you all in your bereavement. It will be some consolation to know he has given his life for his country - your faithfully G. D. Goodman Lt. Col."

On another page:

By the death of Private Bramwell of Chapel-en-le-Frith, the Great War has been brought home to residents in no uncertain manner. Not that the death of other townsmen are not deeply deplored by all, but Private Bramwell, always maintained such an intimate connection with the town; he was so well known.

As a footballer his achievements on the field of play will not soon fade from the "footballing mind". His headwork espscially was renowned throughout the Peak. "He could do anything with his head" remarked one devotee of the game, and so he could! He captained the Chapel XI a couple of years ago, when they carried off triple honours - the Derbyshire Challenge Cup, the Stockport & District League Cup and the Buxton & District League Sheild. Altogether he had led the team for three years and was the oldest member.

Bramwell commenced football playing twenty years ago, and was, without doubt, the best centre-half we had in the district. He possesed over twenty football medals, practically all of which were won playing with the team of his native town.

The game of cricket also had in him a devotee, and he played for the Chapel Cricket XI.

Homing was another of his hobbies and several cups were won by his birds. Alas! we shall see him no more.

The sextonship of the Parish Church has been in the Bramwell family for several hundred years, and a record of this is preserved over the Sexton-house door. It reads: "Joseph Bramwell monumental mason, near the Parish Church, Chapel-en-le-Frith. Peter Bramwell over 52 years, Sexton at the said parish, his son 40 years, his grandson 38, his great grandson 50, his great great grandson 43, his great great great grandsons 39: 1631 - 1883" Surely a wonderful record. But the continuity has not been broken, for deceased's father is alive and well. To say Private Bramwell was a great favourite with all would be to make use of a platitude. His death is deeply deplored by all.

In the Parish Church, Chapel-en-le-Frith is a wall memorial In memory of
Tom Bramwell
6th Battalion Sherwood Forresters
Sexton of this church
Killed in action at Kemmel Belgium May 19th 1915
Aged 34 years
"A workman that needeth not to be ashamed" II TIM-11-15
Erected by the vicar, past & present church wardens.

Tom is remembered on his parents gravestone:
Also Pte. Tom Bramwell son of the above killed in action at Kemmel 19 May 1915 aged 34 years Sexton of this church 1907 - 1915