Sarah had one brother who survived infancy - Thomas Banks Rich. Thomas was born 6th May 1891in Walton, Liverpool. He attended Bedford Road School (I know this because he is mentioned on a War Memorial in the school buildings). Tom and Sarah's mother, Sarah, died in 1910 and shortly afterwards, on 16th November 1911, Tom emigrated to Australia on the "Suevic" with his close friend, Charles Thomas Williams. Just before he left, he wrote in Sarah's autograph book (she collected autographs too!) It is a touching ode to the country he was to die in the service five years later
Just before he left, he wrote in Sarah's autograph book (she collected
autographs too!) It is a touching ode to the country he was to die in
the service five years later
"There is a land where floating free
From mountain top to girdling sea
A proud flag waves exultingly
And freedom's sons the banner bear
No shackled slave cn breathe the air
Fairest of Britain's daughters fair
Australia
I know they both worked for Anthony Horden and Sons "Universal Providers"
because Sarah had saved some letters (thank you Sarah, for being such a
collector of your family's history!).
Tom (left) with Charles in 1912. They worked together in Sydney
Tom's letters home are warm and touching ("My dear old dad"). One was sent on his 21st birthday "I mean for you and poor mother's sakes (she had of course died in 1910) to make a name for myself and to prove myself better than any of the Richs!" (No love lost with some of his father's family?!) He says he is getting help from his firm to buy books and to meet their vet - he was aiming at studying to become one.
His letters were really interesting and often very funny. He jokes about about being asked to marry a lady who is well off but has sloppy cooking and a face you could smash plates with (!).
It is so tragic that in 1914 he says he has decided to settle in Australia but will come home soon for a holiday and looks forward to meeting the family at Lime Street. It was not to be. He died within a year aged 24.
Tom embarked for Gallipoli on 13th April 1915. He was killed in action 9th August 1915. Below are photographs of his medals, death plaque (known often as the death penny), his battlefield cross (families could pay for a photograph to be taken and sent to them. This was sent to the family's home in Cowley Road Liverpool). I have also found a photograph of "Daisy" who I believe was his sweetheart. You will see that I have found some "In Memoriam" notices in the Sydney papers, from Daisy.
The above image shows the effects that were found on Tom's body.
I wonder if the photo is Daisy. Daisy's Notices confused me for some time.
Coincidentally she lived in Liverpool. I tried in vain to locate her in England - but in fact she lived in
Liverpool, Australia!
Sarah would have heard of her only brother's death just after her marriage, and just as she saw her new husband march off to war...
Finally, once again showing Joe's deep love and understanding of his wife, he sent her lovely postcard
"Australian - New Zealand Military Forces" - in memory of "our dear brother"
Sarah lost her "dear brother" in August 1915. However, another tragedy had befallen her family just a few months earlier. Her brother-in-law, Joe's brother, had died, drowned when he was serving in the Merchant Navy. His story is next. By this time she had lost her mother, two brothers and three sisters before the age of 22...Daniel Vernon Jones was to be another death to deal with in her short life.
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