Private Thomas Pake

 

Thomas Pake was born on 8 June 1882 at 2 Lilliput Street, Belfast, the third of five children of car driver (later publican) James Pake and his wife Charlotte (née Little).

Pake enlisted in the Imperial Yeomanry at Belfast on 19 February 1901 (No.33579). Prior to that he had been working as a plumber. He embarked for service in the war in South Africa on 26 March 1901.

On 7 October 1901 at Roodekop, while attached to the 61st Company, 17th Battalion, Pake was wounded in the face, neck and right shoulder. He arrived back in the UK on 5 January 1902 and the following month was discharged, being medically unfit for further service.

Pake returned to work as a plumber in Belfast, living at 60 North Queen Street. On 26 December 1906 he married Jennie Reece in St Anne's Church of Ireland Parish Church. At the time of the 1911 Census the couple and their three children were living at 25 Mountcollyer Street.

On 7 November 1914 at Belfast he enlisted in the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron (No. UD/124). He was discharged, however, on 23 May 1915 his military character recorded as 'good'.

 

This page last updated 26 March 2023.