WW1 Thomas Sydney Hermann Schäfer

Thomas Sydney Hermann Schäfer 1891- 1915

Thomas Sydney Hermann Schäfer’s parents Edward and Maud moved to Little Gillions, The Green, Croxley Green, sometime between1887-1891. They had moved from Oakland, Borehamwood/ Elstree, Hertfordshire where four of their five children were born. They were Margaret Victoria (1879-1879) Marjory (1880-1905), John (1881-1918) and Geraldine Mary (1887 -1979). Records show they were baptised in the Elstree parish church.

Thomas Sydney Hermann Schäfer

During 1891, Edward an eminent Physiologist, and Maud travelled to Scotland, probably to confirm the acceptance of a new position Edward had been offered at the University of Edinburgh. The Scottish census returns for 1891 (5th April) show that during their visit they were living at 19 Coates Gardens, St Georges, Edinburgh and whilst at this address Thomas was born on 20th May 1891.
On their return to Croxley Green, Thomas was baptised at All Saints church on 25th July 1891 by Rev Astley Roberts. Interestingly, their son’s name included a familiar German name perhaps suggesting Edward felt a link with his father’s birthplace. The family also employed a nursemaid from Hamburg, suggesting that some contact still existed with that city.

c1890 Little Gillions John's home

John's father Edward Schäfer

Maud, John's mother

Geraldine John's younger sister

When Thomas was five years old his mother Maud died on 6th October 1896. She was just 37 years old. A service was held at All Saints church by the Rev Astley Roberts and this was followed by the interment at the Chorleywood Road Cemetery. Maud’s death was widely reported and there were many relatives and friends in attendance.

Four years after the death of his wife, Edward remarried on 10th October 1900. His bride was Ethel Maude Roberts, the niece of Rev. Astley Roberts, vicar of All Saints church.

Ethel Maude Roberts-Schäfer, John's step- mother

Edward's new appointment probably prompted the family to leave Croxley Green. The Scottish census for 1901 lists Edward, Ethel Maude and Edward’s son Thomas aged 9 years at school, as well as three servants, at the same address as the 1891 census, i.e. 19, Coates Gardens, St George, Edinburgh, West Coates, Midlothian. The U.K. census for Little Gillions shows the house is occupied by another family.
In 1902 Edward commissioned the Scottish architect Robert Lorimer to design a new family home, Marly Knowe, a substantial Arts and Crafts villa in the coastal town of North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland.

Thomas’ early education shows he was a pupil at Cargilfield School, Barnton, a day and boarding school in a suburb of Edinburgh. He then attended the Edinburgh Academy studying science as part of the Officer Training Corps. He progressed from a Cadet, to L/Corporal in the Infantry section. This was followed by Caius College, Cambridge where he gained a B.A. in Natural Science, Tripos, 1912. He then became a medical student at University College Hospital, London.

At the outbreak of WW1 in early August 1914, Lady Rachel Dudley, the wife of the former Governor-General of Australia, decided to create a hospital for wounded soldiers in the conflict in France, using staff from among Australian doctors and nurses who were in the United Kingdom. Lady Dudley discussed her proposal with King George V as well as the Secretary of State for War, Lord Kitchener, and then Sir Arthur Sloggett, Director-General Army Medical Services, who authorised the hospital. The hospital was formally offered to the British government on the 15th August and advertisements were placed in many English newspapers on 17th for volunteers. Thomas, now 23 years old, responded on the 20th and arrived in France to join the Australian Voluntary Hospital at St Nazaire.

Australian Volunteer Hospital St Nazaire

However, in December Thomas returned to England to enlist with the 13th Northumberland Fusiliers. He gained a Commission as a 2nd Lieutenant and returned to France in August 1915. Thomas was twice wounded at Hill 70, a defence position near Lens, Pas-de-Calais, France.
The Battle of Loos took place from 25th September to 8th October 1915 on the Western Front. It was the biggest British attack of 1915, but as the German army had tactical defensive techniques that were superior to British offensive planning, the attack resulted in a British defeat. Sadly Thomas was one of those killed at Loos on 26th September 1915.

Thomas was buried Dud Corner Cemetery Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France.
He is commemorated on the Loos Memorial Panel 20 to 22.
Thomas is remembered in the University of Edinburgh roll of honour 1914-1919 and Cargilfield School Memorial.

Dud Corner Cemetery

Cargilfield School Memorial