Back to the HMS Repulse crew list

Thomas Henry Gosling
Stoker First Class
D/KX 105349

 

Stoker First Class Thomas Henry Gosling

Thomas Henry Gosling in the middle, with two friends from his cycling club (Click for a larger view in a new window) (44428 bytes)


Thomas Henry Gosling


With two other cyclists from the Bolton Clarion Cycling Club, Thomas is in the middle. The three were the 50 mile time trial winners from 1938

HMS Repulse Christmas card sent by Thomas (click for a larger view in a new window) (36162 bytes)

The Christmas card message sent by Thomas (click for a larger view in a new window) (44057 bytes)


The HMS Repulse Christmas card


Thomas' Christmas card message

I am Rodney Bryan of Bolton Clarion Cycling Club and I recently won a Trophy called the 'Ward - Gosling Trophy' and became interested in its naming.
It was named after to members who died in the 1939-45 War 
The Gosling appears to be the Thomas Henry Gosling who died on HMS Repulse in 1941.
I guess being a Bolton Clarion Cycling Member he came from Bolton in Lancashire or the surrounding area. In our scrap book I found a Christmas card sent from the ship with the crest of HMS Repulse on the front.
I also found a picture of him with two other cyclists, he is in the middle.


Update October 2005:
The 'Ward' on the Ward Gosling trophy was Herbert Ward and he was a rear gunner in a bomber he was killed (I think on his first mission - still checking) the plane returned but he was sadly dead.
I have a picture with several members who have won the Ward – Gosling trophy, one of them Albert Winstanly life long member of Bolton Clarion, and well know cycling author he is 90 now and he knew Tom and Herbert.
I have traced Tom Gosling's Sister, I have spoken with her she has several pictures of Tom, some on bikes but also in his uniform, and she also has his medals as well. She informed me that she and Tom lived next door to Herbert Ward, so there is a possibility she has a picture of him together with Tom which would be great. They were very close friends and Tom introduced Hebert to the Clarion. 
It seems sad that of all the Bolton clarion members back then that the two who died in the war were best friends.

Rodney Bryan 

Bolton Clarion Cycling Club

Please contact Andy (webmaster) with any information.

Andy Wade (Webmaster)

Information provided by
 Rodney Bryan.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission records:

HMS Repulse crest

166 Squadron crest


THOMAS HENRY GOSLING
Rank: Stoker 1st Class 
Regiment: Royal Navy 
Unit Text: H.M.S. Repulse 
Age: 24 
Date of Death: 10/12/1941 
Service No: D/KX 105349 
Additional information: Son of George Wilson Gosling and Rebecca Gosling, of Tonge Moor, Bolton, Lancashire. 
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead 
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 53, Column 1. 
Cemetery: PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL 


HERBERT WARD
Nationality: United Kingdom 
Rank: Sergeant (Air Gnr.) 
Regiment: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 
Unit Text: 166 Sqdn. 
Age: 25. Date of Death: 22/10/1943 
Service No: 991198 
Additional information: Son of Herbert and Ellen Ward, of Tonge Moor, Bolton, Lancashire. 
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead 
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. A.H. Grave 14. 
Cemetery: DEANE (ST. MARY) CHURCHYARD 





 

 

 

.