British Army Veterinary Corps
Thomas Francis DONWORTH
Captain
Died 28 July 1916 · Aged 25
His story
Captain Thomas Francis Donworth was serving with the 109th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, in France when he accidentally drowned in the River Somme on 28 July 1916.
Earlier memorial research describes Donworth getting into difficulties while with fellow officers. They tried to rescue him but could not find him.
CWGC documents record his burial at Crouy Communal Cemetery, Crouy-sur-Somme. His remains were exhumed there on 4 March 1964 and reburied that year at Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille, grave XVI. D. 8.
Photographs and documents
Before the war
- Nationality
- British
- Date of Birth
- 1891
- Place of Birth
- Limerick, County Limerick, Ireland
- Veterinary College and Date of Graduation
- Dublin - December 1914
Military service
- Last Rank
- Captain
- Regiment/Service
- British Army Veterinary Corps
- Secondary Regiment
- Royal Field Artillery
- Secondary Unit
- 109th Brigade
- First Theatre of War
- France 30 August 1915
Medals and commemoration
- Name on RCVS Honour Board
- Yes
- Name In Officers who died in Great War
- Yes
- Medals and Awards
- 1915 Star; British War Medal 1914-1918; Victory Medal
Death and burial
- Date of Death
- 28 July 1916
- Age at Death
- 25
- Cause of Death
- Accidentally drowned in the River Somme
- Cemetery
- Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille
- Location
- Wimille, France
- Grave Reference
- XVI. D. 8.
- Commonwealth War Grave
- Yes - CWGC Headstone
- Emblem or Badge on Headstone
- British Army Veterinary Corps
Connected men
- William Henry CAMPBELLAlso buried at Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille
- Sidney John COOKAlso buried at Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille
- William Hamer DAVIESAlso buried at Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille
- Henry John HUXLEYAlso buried at Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille
Sources and further reading
- CWGC casualty and commemoration record
- Find a Grave memorial
- CWGC original cemetery register: drowning in the Somme
- CWGC original reburial return: Crouy to Terlincthun, 1964
- CWGC final grave registration: XVI. D. 8.
- War diary entry noting Captain Donworth's death — reproduced document
Cite this biography
Graham Hodgkins and Pete Matthews, “Thomas Francis Donworth”, Veterinary Virtual War Memorial, https://vetsremembered.org/people/thomas_francis_donworth/.
Contribute information
Can you supply a photograph of Thomas Francis Donworth, with its source and permission to display it?