Commander Thomas Charles Alfred Blomefield
| Date of Birth | 27 June 1875 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 40 |
| Date of Death | 14 August 1915 |
| Service Number | |
| Military Service | Royal Navy HMS Juno |
| Merton Address | |
| Local Memorial | Wimbledon Parish Church |
Additional Information
Thomas Charles Alfred Blomefield was born to parents Thomas Wilmot Peregrine, a Clerk for the Civil Service and Lilias (nee Napier). His parents had married on 5th August 1874 and set up home in Pelham Road, South Wimbledon. Thomas, their first son and was born on 27th June 1875 and baptised in South Wimbledon at Holy Trinity and St. Peter on 4th August 1875.
By 1881 the Blomefield’s had moved to 19 Homefield Road, Wimbledon and had four children: Thomas 5, Nigel 4, Wilmot 2 and Lilias a few days old. Thomas (snr) was listed as a 3rd Class Clerk for the Board of Trade and the family had 5 servants. Another sibling named Nancy was born in 1884 making a total of five children for the couple.
On 27th January 1891 Thomas, aged 15 joined the Royal Navy. When the census was taken in April 1891 he was listed as a Midshipman, on the Trafalgar – a twin screw battle ship. His family were listed at 6 The Grange in Wimbledon with three servants.
By April 1897 Thomas had been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant.
In 1901 his home address was listed as 8 Rodwell Road, Dorset, whilst his parents and siblings were still residing at 6 The Grange. His father was listed working for the Board of Trade Accounts section.
On 8th October 1903, Thomas’s sister Lilas married at St. Mary Church in Wimbledon. She married Cedric Llewellyn Longstaff, a solicitor who lived at The Ridgeway in Wimbledon. The following year in June his sister Nancy also married at St. Mary Church and became the wife of Francis Palmer Landon who lived at 4 The Drive in Wimbledon.
Later that same month in 1904 Thomas married Margaret Josephine Landon (sister of Francis). Their marriage was registered in London at Hanover Square. Their first child Angela was born 16th July 1905 and baptised in Wimbledon. Their second child called Thomas was born on 31st May 1907.
Thomas was promoted to the rank of Commander 30th June 1910. In the census of 1911 he was Commander of His Majesty’ ship Minerva – a 2nd class cruiser that had 380 sailors on board and docked in Malta. His wife Margaret and children were living at 8 Old castle Road in Rodwell Weymouth a house with six rooms.
Meanwhile, Thomas’s parents had moved from Wimbledon to Windmill House, Grange Lane in Lichfield, staffs.
On 16th February 1914 Thomas became Commander of HMS Juno an Eclipse Class second class Cruiser that serviced in the Persian Gulf Patrolling Trade Routes. Thomas died of wounds received whilst the Juno was in action in the Persian Gulf on 14th August 1915. He and was buried at sea and is remembered on a memorial at Wimbledon Parish Church and also at Chatham Naval Memorial.