Thomas Henry Sears

Rank: 
Private
Regimental number: 
772102
Unit at enlistment: 
125th Battalion
Force: 
C.E.F.
Volunteered or conscripted: 
Volunteered
Survived the war: 
No
Date of death: 
August 17th, 1917
Cemetery: 
Vimy Memorial - Pas de Calais, France
Commemorated at: 
St. Luke Anglican Church
Birth country: 
Canada
Birth county: 
Brant
Birth city: 
Brantford, Ontario
Address at enlistment: 
18 Gilkison Street, Brantford, Ontario
Next of kin address: 
18 Gilkison Street, Brantford, Ontario
Trade or calling: 
Labourer
Religious denominations: 
Church of England
Marital status: 
Married
Age at enlistment: 
29

Letters and documents

Circumstances of Casualty: Killed in Action.
Location of Unit at Time of Casualty: Trenches in the vicinity of Loos.

BX August 28, 1917

Her Husband Killed

Mrs. Pearl Sears, 18 Gilkison Street has been officially notified that her husband, Pte. Thomas Henry Sears was killed in action on Aug. 17. Private Sears enlisted with the first overseas battalion of the Dufferin Rifles and prior to donning the uniform was a laborer here. Besides his widow, he leaves five children and a father and mother.

BX September 17, 1917

Further particulars of the death of Private Thomas Henry Sears; have been received by Mrs. Sears, West Brantford, who has received a letter from W. Archer, chaplain of the 4th Canadian Battalion telling of her husband’s gallant death. He writes:

My Dear Mrs. Sears

You will have already had the very sad news of your husband’s death, and I know what a shock it must have been to you. It was during the very heavy fighting at the middle of the month, and in playing a brave and gallant part in securing our success that he fell. As far as I can find out, he died instantly with no period of pain, and I think that is some consolation. He had worked here with faithful and loyal devotion, and will be greatly missed. Even in your sorrow I know you must remember him with pride and think of him as having found God’s Paradise a more perfect peace than earth can give. May God in His love be your comfort and strength, until He brings you together again.

Yours very truly,

W. Archer

BC December 12, 1917

Letter of Sympathy – Mrs. T. Sears Receives Word of How Her Husband Died in France

Mrs. T. Sears has received the following letter with regard to the death of her hero husband who left Brantford with the 125th Battalion.

My Dear Mrs. Sears:

I feel that it is my duty to write you a few lines, to try and express my sincere sympathy for you in your recent bereavement. I am in the same platoon as Tom was, and he was my chief friend. I was wounded with the same shell, and went down to the hospital for three weeks, and I did not know that Tom was killed, until I arrived back to the battalion a few days ago. I have made careful inquiries, and find that his death was swift and painless. It has been a great sorrow to myself, also the remainder of our section to lose one whom we were happy to call a friend. He was always continually thinking of you and the children, and we both agreed to write each other’s loved ones should anything happen to either of us. He was always ready to do his duty and was a good soldier at all times, and we who are still left to carry on, will miss his company for a long time. We each do not know the moment that it will be our turn to make the supreme sacrifice, for many men fall daily. But the cause is great, and we feel that we must do our utmost in the defence of those we love better than ourselves. No Mrs. Sears, words are not enough for I feel that I cannot express myself as I would like to. If there is anything that you would like to know, I will at all times do my best to tell you. We pray for you and the children trusting that God in His goodness will give you all the strength necessary to bear your heavy sorrow. Kindly convey to his mother and all, our deep sympathy for them. I would like to write more but feel that it is not enough, so will close, again assuring you of our deep sympathy for you all.

Believe me to remain, most sincerely yours

Pte. T.J. Richards
No. 796088, D. Company

P.S. – If there is anything you would like to know, I will do my best to find out. A few lines at any time will be welcomed. T.J.R.