PHILIP THOMSETT
Private, 21216, Royal Sussex Regiment and 2nd Battalion, Hampshire Regiment
Died of Wounds, 22 July 1916, in the First London General Hospital, aged 18. He was wounded in France during the first Battle of the Somme.
First London General Hospital, Camberwell
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(photo: robmcrorie)
Private Philip Thomsett was the son of Philip and Jane Thomsett, of Three Chimneys, Birch Grove, East Grinstead. Born in Horsted Keynes in 1898, he was one of seven children listed in the 1911 census.
His father Philip, aged 40 in 1911, was born in Danehill and was a labourer on a farm. His mother Jane was also 40 and born in Maresfield. His elder brother Frank was 18 in 1911 and was also a labourer on a farm. His brother Fred was 15 and worked for a butcher. Philip was still at school.
His father Philip was listed as a stone cutter, still living at Three Chimneys, Birch Grove, in 1939 with his wife Jane. Their daughter Ena, born in 1904 also lived with them.
Philip Thomsett enlisted as a private in Lewes, originally with the Royal Sussex Regiment. He later transferred to the 2nd Battalion, the Hampshire Regiment. The 2nd Battalion had served in Gallipoli in 1915 and disembarked at Marseilles on the way to the Western Front on 29 March 1916.
The Battle of Albert, 1-13 July 1916, is the official name for the British efforts during the first two weeks fighting of the first Battle of the Somme. The 2nd Battalion were involved in this battle and it is likely that this is when Philip Thomsett was wounded.
He died in the First London General Hospital, Camberwell, and is buried in Forest Row cemetery. He left £4 6s. 7d. to his father.
The record of Philip Thomsett's effects
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Philip Thomsett's Grave Registration Report Form
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Philip Thomsett's entry in the record for Forest Row cemetery
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Carol O'Driscoll
3 March 2017
Updated 22 July 2019