245618 Pte. Tom Norris British Army 2nd Btn. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment from:Heath Hayes, Staffordshire Tom Norris was a miner in the Cannock coal fields in Staffordshire before joining the army in early 1915. He was posted to the 2nd Battalion, Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment and had arrived in France by early August. In September the 2nd Battalion was engaged in the Battle of Loos before being withdrawn to Alexandria in Egypt in October, and then to Salonika in January 1916. Tom seems to have been with the 2nd Battalion for the whole of his service and whilst he was with them in Salonika they played their part in a number of engagements or battles. We're not sure what roles Tom played in these events but in Spring 1918 he contracted malaria and by May 1918 his health had deteriorated to the point where he was no longer fit for war service.
We understand he was also subject to, but survived, a gas attack at some point, which had an impact on his lungs. As a result, he did not (or was not allowed to) return to mining after his discharge and moved to Birmingham in search of work.
Tom survived the war but as a result of his military service he suffered pain and ill health for the remainder of his life. He was granted a war pension but died an early death in 1942.
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