212336 Pte. Thomas James Dale British Army 8th Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment from:11 Jervis St., Longton, Stoke-on-Trent (d.20th April 1919) Thomas Dale was my great uncle, youngest brother to my grandfather Oswald Dale, also of the N Staffords. After receiving a GSW face neck and chest at Loos on 3.10.1915 Thomas recovered in Chatham. After 2 more returns to action he was finally invalided to UK on 6 Aug 1918, first to Chatham, then Brighton, Cambridge East Preston and finally Lord Derby in Nov 1918. Thomas was a classic case of melancholia, depression, suicidal, paranoia etc, all ultimately related to shell shock. After numerous treatments, he succumbed to vision defects, cranial pressure, delusional attitude, etc there are 14 pages of medical notes. Thomas cut his own throat with razor in a suicide attempt. Although many tests were completed, with differing results, serum blood tests negative then positive, a period of eye vein enlargement occurred, plus other symptoms, including numerous severe fits and he died at 10.40pm on 20th April 1919. Although a case of classic shell shock can be ascertained, it seems that he may have actually been the victim of a brain tumour (meningeal tumour) or meningitis, the quick onset of symptoms suggest the latter. Spanish flu is not suspected.
But I cannot fined where he is buried. His medical records were transferred to Chester some time ago, but Stoke and Warrington cemetery have no record and the CWGC does not commemorate him. I would like to rectify this in respect of his harrowing tale which is typical of so many thousand others.
|