Coller, Thomas John

Thomas was born in Warwick 9th October 1920. He attended Westgate School. His father James (1860-1947) was a general labourer. Ernest’s mother’s name was Clara Emmeline.

The 1921 census shows three of Thomas’ siblings – Ernest, aged 3, Edward, aged 6 and sister Ruth aged 4, described as inmates and living at Receiving Homes, Wharf Street, Warwick under the care of the Warwick Board of Guardians.

The previous Census in 1911 listed more siblings – Mary (b 1902), Ellen (b 1904), James (b 1906). Two other siblings – John (b 1910) and Beatrice (b 1911), both died in infancy.

The 1939 Register, shows details of three of Thomas’s siblings living in the family home – Edward and Ruth, listed in 1921 and a younger brother, Dennis (b 1926). Ruth’s married name was White.

Hence, Thomas does not appear on any of the family’s Census’ records but here was a piece about the Collers’ father, John in the Warwick Advertiser in December 1944. This shows that there were 19 Coller children in all, although only 8 had survived at the time the piece was written. It may be that Thomas was also living as an ‘inmate’ under the Warwick Board of Guardians.

Thomas’ brother Ernest also died in the war and is commemorated on the Warwick War Memorial.

Ernest’s mother Clara died in 1976 aged 94.