Second Lieutenant Thomas Henry Clesham

Regiment: Manchester Regiment
Panel reference: Pier and Face 13 A and 14 C.
Date published: 28/07/1916
Killed in action: Yes
Date of death: 01/07/1916
Age at death: 34
Cemetery: Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France
Information: Second Lieutenant Thomas Henry Clesham, Manchester Regiment, who was killed in action in the offensive on July 1st, was the eldest son of the late Rev. T. Clesham, M.A., Rector of Aasleigh, and Mrs. Clesham, Caherduff, Cong. He graduated at Trinity College, Dublin, and subsequently went to South Atrica to take up an important post in the mining fields. On the outbreak of the war he joined the forces of General Botha and took his full share in the campaign, on the termination of which he hurried home to take his part in the Western field. He was gazetted to a lieutenancy in the Manchester Regiment and joined the Flying Corps until he became a fully qualified aviator. Lieut. Clesham was a splendid type of officer and beloved by his comrades. He fell just as he led his men over the parapet and was killed instantly.