THOMAS WILLIAM TRENTER
From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG” https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730
As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570
Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.
Photograph courtesy of Jamie.
Born: 11th December 1881, Bulwer Road, Ipswich.
Baptised on the 22nd January 1890, at St. Matthew’s Church, Ipswich – family home 48, Handford Cut, Ipswich.
Died: 29th September 1915; age 33; KiA.
Residence: 37, Victoria Street, Ipswich.
Enlistment Location: Ipswich.
Date of Entry Therein: 27th December 1914 – France.
Rank: Lance Corporal; Service Number: 3/9329
Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 2nd Battalion.
Medals Awarded: Victory, British War & 1915 Star.
Memorial Reference:
Panel 21.
West-Vlaanderen,
Belgium.
Relatives Notified & Address: Husband of Edith Gertrude M. Trenter, of 37, Victoria Street, Ipswich.
CENSUS
1891 78, Handford Road, Ipswich.
Thomas was 9 years old and living with his widowed mother.
Maria Aldridge (nee Trenter), 27, a Corset Maker, born Ipswich.
On the 6th May 1883, at St. Matthew’s Church, Ipswich, Thomas’ 20 year old mother, Maria Trenter, married 28 year old William Aldridge, a Driver for the Royal Artillery.
1901 St. Peter’s Port, Guernsey, Channel Islands.
Thomas was 21 years old, a Soldier ranked Private for the Suffolk Regiment, 3rd Battalion.
1911 37, Victoria Street, Ipswich.
Thomas was 29 years old, a Maltster’s Labourer. He was married and head of the household.
Edith, 27.
Thomas, 8.
Herbert, 6.
Stanley, 5.
Reginald, 3.
Hector, 2.
Frederick, 1.
Frances, 2 months.
and niece – Ivy Potter, 2, born Ipswich.
In 1902, Ipswich Thomas married Edith Gertrude Maud Potter, born January 1882, Stowmarket, Suffolk – daughter of Henry Alfred Potter, a horseman for the Great Eastern Railway, and Sarah Ann Potter (nee Nunn), of 205, Ranelagh Road, Stoke, Ipswich.
Edith and Thomas had ten children:
Thomas Frank Frederick Trenter, born August 1902, Ipswich.
Herbert Henry William Trenter, born Christmas Eve, 1904, Ipswich.
Stanley Russell Trenter, born December 1905, Ipswich.
Reginald Claude Trenter, born April 1907, Ipswich.
Hector Morris Trenter, born 1909, Ipswich.
Frederick Charles Trenter, born February 1910, Colchester, Essex.
Frances Gwendoline Trenter, born January 1911, Ipswich.
Edna Madge Trenter, born 1913 – died on the 31st May 1914, Ipswich and was buried in Section W, Ipswich Old Cemetery.
Leonard Ernest Trenter, born 1914 – died on the 2nd February 1915, Ipswich and was buried with his sister Edna in Section W, Ipswich Old Cemetery.
Dorothy Everlyn Trenter, born 1915 – died on the 24th January 1917, Ipswich and was buried with her sister Edna and brother Leonard in Section W, Ipswich Old Cemetery.
Soldiers’ Effects to Edith G. M. Trenter – widow.
Thomas is also remembered on the war memorial at the Presbyterian Church, formerly on London Road, Ipswich.
Evening Star – Thursday, 6th June 1907 – SMART ARREST AT IPSWICH – CARMAN CONVICTED FOR THEFT OF LEAD – On Thursday, 6th June 1907, at Ipswich Police Court, Thomas William Trenter, a carman, of Surrey Road, Ipswich, was before the Mayor of Ipswich and other Magistrates, charged with stealing three stone weights of lead, value 6s. 2d., the property of his employers, T. R. Parkington and Son – builders. Mr. W. Marshall prosecuted and remarked that Thomas Trenter had been in the employ of Mr. Parkington for five years. He was engaged in carting soil from the Public Hall, where Messrs. Parkington were carrying out some alterations, to Surrey Road. Several pieces of lead were missed, and Inspector Warner, on Monday, saw Thomas Trenter shoot a load of soil onto the road and then go to his house, which was in the vicinity, carrying a bag. He entered the house and demanded to see the contents of the bag, and found it to contain several pieces of lead. Thomas then admitted the theft, but said that it was the first time he had taken anything.
Mr. Philip Webster Thompson, manager for T. R. Parkington and Son, stated that in consequence of missing several pieces of lead from the Public Hall, where they were engaged in the alterations, he gave information to the police on Friday. On Monday, he identified the lead at the Police Station.
Thomas Trenter pleaded Guilty, and Inspector Warner gave evidence as to arresting him in the way described in Mr. Marshall’s opening statement.
Mr. Marshall said that Mr. Parkington had no desire to press the case against Thomas Trenter, but was forced to prosecute. He wished also to compliment Inspector Warner on the smart manner in which he detected the offender, the arrest being effected half an hour after the theft was committed.
The Magistrates imposed a fine of 20s., with 17s. 6d. costs, or 14 days.
Evening Star – Thursday, 15th April 1909 – A THEFT OF BACON – On Thursday, 15th April, at the Ipswich Police Court, Thomas William Trenter, a labourer, of Handford Cut, was summoned before the Mayor of Ipswich, Mr. Francis Charles Ward, Mr. William Alexander, Mr. Harry William Raffe, Mr. Samuel Richard Anness, and Mr. William Orford White, charged with stealing 4lbs. 14ozs. of bacon, value 4s. 01/2d., from an open slab in front of Lipton’s shop in Westgate Street. Thomas Trenter pleaded Guilty. P.-c. Diaper deposed to seeing the accused commit the offence last Thursday afternoon, and when accosted by the policeman, Thomas Trenter said: “I have five little children at home. They have nothing to eat; I have done my best for them; I cannot see them starve.” It was stated that Thomas Trenter has for two years been without work, and that he has from time to time earned money granite breaking. An assistant from Lipton’s said that the firm had no desire to press the case, and the Bench inflicted a fine of 10s. 6d., in default 14 days.
Suffolk Regiment, 2nd Battalion:
On the 25th of September, a second attack on Bellewaarde was made by the 3rd Division. An attack was launched from Railway Wood to Sanctuary Wood. Half of the 2nd Battalion took up positions in front of Sanctuary Wood, with the other half of the 2nd Battalion in support, after the main action. On the 26th, time was taken to refortify their positions. A day after a large underground mine was fired by the enemy under the 4th Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment. Straight after this Captain Wynn and several men moved out to take the crater and repel the enemy’s counterattack, this was hampered by a short supply of bombs (hand grenades) the fight continued for several days, with many casualties, Captain Wynn, Lieutenant Deck, killed and four other officers were wounded, including Captain N.R. Mossop as well as several other ranks.
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