Private Thomas Alfred Drabble was the eldest of the four children of Alfred Samuel Charles Drabble (1863-1937) and Jane Drabble née Curley (1863-1915), whose birth was registered in the 3rd quarter of 1890 in the Marylebone registration district. Electoral registers in 1893 show his father listed at 104/6 Marylebone Lane, Marylebone.
In the March 1901 census he is shown as living at 146 Wharncliffe Gardens, Marylebone, with his parents and three siblings: James V. Drabble (1891-1965), Mary Agnes Drabble (b.1893) and Ellen Elizabeth Drabble (b.1896). His father was described as a postman.
The April 1911 census shows him as a single man whose occupation was described as a barman in the Grafton Arms public house at 20 Prince of Wales Road, Kentish Town, London, where he resided with the publican, George Hyams, and the publican's family.
In 1916 he enlisted in the 7th (City of London) Battalion, The London Regiment, service number 6096. In 1917 service numbers were changed and his became 352756. He was attached to the 1st/7th Battalion when he was killed in action, aged 27 years, on the 2 December 1917.
As he has no known grave, he is commemorated on Panel 11 , Stone H, of the Cambrai Memorial to the Missing, Louveral, Nord, Pas-de-Calais, France, that is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and his details are recorded on their website.
On 6 September 1918 his army effects totalling £4-1s-2d were sent to his father who was also sent his £8-0s-0d war gratuity on 12 November 1919. He was posthumously awarded the British War Medal 1914-1918 and the Victory Medal.
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
