Thomas Sewell 1893 - 1953
From Sarah L Hay
This article was originally published in the December 2002 edition of Soul Search, the journal of The Sole Society
Mrs Sarah Lynne Hay has written to tell us about her grandfather:
Some details in the following account I have taken from newspaper cuttings I was given from my family, but have not yet traced my grandfather's Army record, although it said he joined the Royal Artillery or the Royal West Kent Regiments.
Also
enclosed is a photo of my grandfather Thomas Sewell with his wife, my
grandmother, Sarah Ellen Sewell nee Gall, holding their daughter Mary Ellen
Sewell born 16th July 1916. She was about a year old at the time of
the photo and my grandfather was in the army. Looking at the cap badge on his
hat it looks as though it is one from the Royal Artillery.
Funeral of Mr T. Sewell
The funeral took place at St Giles' church Mountnessing village on Monday 10th August 1953 of Mr Thomas Sewell of 15 Church Road, Mountnessing, who died on the previous Tuesday at the age of 60 after a long term illness of cancer. He had been in hospital for 14 weeks and had borne his illness patiently in Harold Wood Hospital Romford.
Mr Sewell, who leaves a widow and eight children, was born in Hutton Lane Ingrave in 1893. He had lived in this district for the past 33 years and had worked as a Farm worker for a Mr Smith of Mountnessing. He also served in the Army during the First World War in France and was taken prisoner of war. After his release he spent time serving as a Home guard.
The service was conducted by Rev. D.J.Iorns, vicar of Bentley Common and Mrs Shuttleworth was at the organ for the hymn 'Abide with me’. The internment later took place in the Mountnessing churchyard. Chief mourners were Mrs Sarah Ellen Sewell (widow) Mr Thomas Sewell, Mr Frederick Sewell and Mr George Sewell (sons), Mr & Mrs Isom, Mr & Mrs Game, Mr & Mrs Pallant, Mr & Mrs Steed and Miss Gladys Sewell (daughters and son in laws), Mr C. Gall, Mr W. Athy, Mr Harold Fewell and Mr Ted Hewitt (brother in laws), Mrs C. Gall, Miss D. Foreman (niece), Mrs Aggic Tanfield (sister in law) and Miss Barbara Smart (friend).
Mr Arthur Bennett, of High Street Brentwood carried out funeral arrangements.