Thomas Henry Wake and Wilfred Hereward Wake

 

Thomas Henry Wake and Wilfred Hereward Wake of Bamburgh

Thomas Henry Wake was born 1890 in Bamburgh, Northumberland. He was one of 7 children of Richard and Mary Wake. Richard Wake was the lodgekeeper of Bamburgh Castle.

At the outbreak of war Thomas enlisted at Alnwick into C Coy of the 7th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, Pte 1989. His younger brother, Wilfred Hereward Wake, Pte 1598, was already a member of the sameTerritorial Force and had been called up immediately to join his regiment.

After training for several months both brothers were sent to the Front. After 2 days both brothers were killed near Ypres on April 26, 1915.

Thomas and Wilfred are the great uncles of Sandra Willoughby of Newton Aycliffe.

Thomas was 25 and had been a painter, employed by Mr. R. W. Mackenzie, Seahouses.

Wilfred was 20 and worked as a tailor employed by Messrs. R. Coxon and Sons, Seahouses.

According to the newspaper article about them, both were fond of sport, cricket and football. Thomas (Tommy) was well known in the North Northumberland Football League, which he represented in international matches.

A poem, "The Canny Lads from Bamburgh" was written about them, composed in the trenches by a Northumberland hero.

This poem, and one composed by their father Richard Wake, is shown below:

Thomas Henry Wake and Wifred Hereward WAke newspaper article
Canny Lads Poem about Thomas and Wilfred Wake Richard Wakes poem about his two sons killed near Ypres 1915