Thomas George Bluck M.C.and 2 bars, Medaille Militaire, QSA, 1st Royal Welsh Fusiliers

said to be Marshall, Bluch and Osmond, ............................................................................................................................................................

1881 Jul 6. Thomas George Bluck, born in Aston, Birmingham

He was born Birmingham, his parents living at 103 Wright Street, Small Heath having resided there for 25 years He had three brothers who later served in the army:- Sgt. William Bluck 3rd Batt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers, who has been six years with the colours, and is now a Staff-Orderly. Private Harold Bluck who is in R.A.M.C. and Private Frank Bluck 5th Royal Warwick's (Transport Section) now in France and who formerly worked at the City Gas Works. (they can be seen in 1901 census)

1891 census at 34, Greenway Street, Aston, Bordesley, Birmingham

1899 Aug 2. Attested 6th Royal Warwick Regt. His trade was "emery wheeler".

1899 Sep 25. Left the Militia and joined the RWF. He gained his South African Medals as Corporal after quick promotion, he received Q. S. A. clasps, South Africa in 1901, and South Africa medal in 1902.

1901 census he is a L/Cpl at Bulford St John Military Camp.

1914 Oct 6. He Embarked with the 1st Batt,R.W.F for France and was in the retreat at Mons. A letter from the front stated :- The Sergeant Major, two Staff Sergeants have been wounded, three Colour Sergeants are prisoners in Germany, and two Colour Sergeants, Craven and Sullivan were missing . Sergeant Bluck was the last sergeant to get wounded, he was one of the last two left and did splendid work, being practically in command of a double company for days. If the commissioned Officer or Adjutant had been here he would probably have got the V.C. , which he deserves. Colonel R. Gabbett, who was killed in action recently and at the time of the Ypres engagement was Major, was wounded at the same time as when Sergeant Major Bluck was hit, and was instrumental, it is understood in obtaining official recognition of his N.C.O. 's gallantry. He had two slight wounds but refused to go to hospital.

In The Birmingham Daily Post printed on the 13th Dec. 1914,   185 RWF men listed as missing 88. Of those we know were taken as POW and 80 were killed in Action, and one was shot for desertion. Bluck was made Sergeant Major a month later.

1915 Aug 25. Gazetted . Cross of the Order of St George 4th Class. 6118 Serjeant Thomas Bluck, 1st Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

1915 Nov 4 MC Gazetted

1916 Feb 13 . Commissioned 2nd Lt. The undermentioned Warrant and Non- Commissioned Officers to be Second Lieutenants for service in the Field: —The Royal Welsh Fusiliers'. Serjeant-Major Thomas Bluck

1917 Aug 16. 2nd Lt. (A./'Capt.) Thomas Bluck, M.C., RWelsh Fus. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of two companies. He led them, with great courage and skill, in two attacks, and maintained the ground gained for two days, under heavy fire and bombing. (M.C. gazetted 4th November, 1915.)

1917 Mar 4. R. W. Fus.— 2nd Lt. T. Bluck, M.C., to be acting Capt.

1917 Oct 20. R. W. Fus.—Lt. T. Bluck, M.C., relinquishes the actg. rank of Capt.

1917 Feb 26 . Extract from the 1st Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers War Diary Reinforcements – 2/Lt BLUCK from 2nd Bn,

1918 Jan 8. Lt T Bluck to be actg. Capt. whilst comdg. a Co.

1918 Dec 2. 2nd bar to MC Gazetted.

1919 May 22. R.W. Fus.—Lt. (actg. Capt.) T. Bluck, M.C., retires receiving a gratuity,and is granted the rank of Capt.

1920 Apr 9 . Gazetted Medaille Militaire. 6118 Regimental Serjeant-Major (now commissioned). Thomas Bluck, Royal Welsh Fusiliers (Wrexham);.

1921 Feb 11. Joined ADRIC with Service no. 1663. Posted to B Coy.

1921 Jul 2. Promoted Section Leader. Probably Blucke rather than Bluck

1922 Jan 24 . Discharged on demobilisation of ADRIC

He spent the rest of his days in Small Heath, Birmingham

1931 Jun 25. The undermentioned having attained the age limit of liability to recall, cease to belong to the Res. of Off. :—R.W. Fus.— Capt. T. Bluck, M.C.

1939 Register A Grocer & retired Captain , he is living at Dixholm Station Road , Warwick with wife Charlotte

1967 Oct/Dec Died Birmingham

ADRIC