A Boer War Veteran & "Old Contemptible".

British War Medal 1914 - 20.
L-5553 Pte. T. F. Mewes, Middlesex Regiment.

Thomas Francis Mewes, a labourer born in Staines, Middlesex, attested for the Middlesex Regiment at the age of 18 years 4 months on 18th October 1898, enlisting for seven years with the Colours and five years in the Reserve. On enlistment, his Service Papers described him as 5' 4" in height, with hazel eyes, brown hair and a fresh complexion and with scars on both knees and on the back of his right hand. In February 1899, Thomas was posted to the 2nd Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment and went to South Africa with them in December of the same year. The exploits of the "Die-Hards" in the South African War can be read here: The Middlesex Regiment in South Africa.

From South Africa, Thomas was sent to join the 1st Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment, which had been in India since 1898, and it was to be just over four years before he saw England again. His conduct seems to have improved in India; he was granted his 1st Good Conduct Pay on 7th November 1903, 1st Class Service Pay on 1st April 1904 and his 2nd Good Conduct Pay on 7th November 1905.

Thomas was not immune to the various illnesses and injuries that afflicted the Victorian soldier. In South Africa he had suffered from bronchitis and in India he had the ague and a serious contusion of the knee, as a result of which he was fitted with a knee cap in 1905. Thomas was transferred to the Army Reserve in November 1906 but in October 1910 was re-engaged for a further four years service.On 17th August 1914, less than two weeks after the outbreak of the First World War, Thomas went to France with the 1st Battalion, thus earning entitlement to the 1914 "Mons" Star and the proud title of "Old Contemptible". He served on the Western Front until 14th August 1915, during which time the 1st Middlesex had more than their share of hard fighting. Read the details here: The 1st Middlesex on the Western Front.

Thomas Mewes was discharged from the army in October 1915 due to osteo-arthritis of the knee; his old injury causing recurring problems. He died in Bridgend in 1937 at the age of 57.