Tags
First World War, Glamorgan, Leeds, Mercantile Marines, Pontypridd, Richard Fletcher, SS Lofoten, Thomas Hamlet, Tower Hill, Wales
Thomas was born in Wolverhampton in 1881, the son of Edward and Charlotte Hamlet. By 1901, the family were living in Glamorgan in Wales, and Thomas was working as a grocer and shopkeeper. In 1903, he married Susannah Prosser in Pontypridd, Glamorganshire. He seems to have taken on his wife’s surname, and she later was known as Susannah Hamlet Prosser. In 1911, they were living in Meanwood, Leeds, and Thomas was working as a professional billiards player.
Serving under the name Thomas Prosser, whilst still living in Leeds, Thomas joined the Merchant Navy, serving as a Mercantile Marine on the SS Lofoten as a Cook and steward. Unfortunately on the night of 3/4 February 1918 he drowned as a result of an attack by an enemy submarine. 16 others died as a result of this action, including Richard Fletcher, who was also a native of Wolverhampton. Thomas is remembered at the Tower Hill Memorial.
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The research for this blog post was completed by remote virtual volunteer, Jacky de Escofet.