Diss Family History Group

Thomas William BETTS, son of Thomas BETTS (c. 1859-c. 1904) and Hannah Wright DOWNING (1858-c. 1932), was born on 29 May 1894 in South Lopham, Norfolk. He was baptised on 8 September 1895 in South Lopham - parents Thomas (labourer) and Hannah. Very li􀆩le has been found about Thomas’s military service. He was named in the Absent Voters list for South Lopham, “M2/051046 Pte., 60th Aux. St. Co. R.E.”. From the service number, the Campaign Medal List shows him as in the Royal Army Service Corps, an acting corporal. (The difference between R.E. and R.A.S.C. is inexplicable, maybe human error?) It also gives his discharge date as 2 April 1920, under Para. 392 (XXVIII) K.R’s, demobilisation. He died circa 1954 - aged 60 years.

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Last updated: Sun, 12 Jul 2026
BETTS, Thomas William
Family Historian Individual Narrative Thomas William BETTS, son of Thomas BETTS (c. 1859-c. 1904) and Hannah Wright DOWNING (1858-c. 1932), was born on 29 May 1894 in South Lopham, Norfolk. He was baptised on 8 September 1895 in South Lopham - parents Thomas (labourer) and Hannah. Thomas appeared in the 1901 Census at Rectory Road in South Lopham - 6, scholar, living with parents Thomas (42, threshing engine driver) and Hannah (42), and siblings Margaret M (14), Elsie Jane (13), Arthur Thomas (11, scholar), Bessie Hannah (9, scholar..... View full FH text (See notes below) View Family Tree (See notes below)
Birth:	29.05.1894 : South Lopham, Norfolk
Baptism:	08.09.1895 : South Lopham, Norfolk : parents Thomas (labourer) and Hannah.
Marriage:	1928 to Beatrice MARTIN
1901 Census:	South Lopham, Norfolk : 6, scholar, living with parents Thomas (42, threshing engine driver) and Hannah (42), and siblings Margaret M (14), Elsie Jane (13), Arthur Thomas (11, scholar), Bessie Hannah (9, scholar), Samuel Richard (8, scholar), Henry Albert (3) and Kate Thirza (1). (RG13 Piece 1866 Folio 21 Page 5 Schedule 35)
1911 Census:	South Lopham, Norfolk : 16, engine driver, living with mother Hannah (widow, 52, parish relief), siblings Henry Albert (13, scholar) and Kate Thirza (11, scholar), and boarder Samuel Downing (60, gardener). (RG14 PN11746 RD239 SD2 ED19 SN87A)
1911 Census:	Ipswich, Suffolk : 27, engine drive for army transport, a visitor in the household of Sidney Garnham (34, builder and carpenter) and his family. (RG15 Piece 09444 Schedule 60 RD 213 RS 2 ED 21)
1939 Reg.:	195 Altmore Avenue, East Ham, Essex : b. 29.05.1894, lorry driver, living with wife Beatrice E (b. 13.06.1897, unpaid domestic duties), Elizabeth L MARTIN (b. 14.10.1904, embroidress) and Charles E PIPER (b. 11.07.1898, heavy motor driver). : engine drive for army transport (RG101/1014G/012/11 Letter Code: CAQI)
Death:	1954 : 1954 Q4 W"ollwich London Vol 5D Page 807
Military:	Very little has been found about Thomas's military service. He was named in the Absent Voters list for South Lopham, “M2/051046 Pte., 60th Aux. St. Co. R.E.”. From the service number, the Campaign Medal List shows him as in the Royal Army Service Corps, an acting corporal. (The difference between R.E. and R.A.S.C. is inexplicable, maybe human error?) It also gives his discharge date as 2 April 1920, undeer Para. 392 (XXVIII) K.R”s, demobilisation.
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