Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Rawlings, an ironstone labourer, born 1857 in Ropsley, Lincolnshire and his wife Phoebe Rawlings (nee Warriner, married in the 3rd quarter of 1884 in the Newark, Nottinghamshire district), born 1864 in Newark, Nottinghamshire. Tom was born in the 4th quarter of 1884 in Harby, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Mary Ellen, born 1886, Annie, born 1889 and William, born 1891, all his siblings were born in Harby, in April 1891 the family home was at Malt Row, Nether Street, Harby. In March 1901 Tom was absent from the family home at Stathern Road, Harby, residing there was his father, a farm wagoner, his mother and siblings, William, Catherine Myers, born 1895, Charlotte Elizabeth, born 1899, May, born 1901 and Eliza, born 1893, the latter four siblings were all born in Harby, Tom was employed as a farm cow boy and was residing as a servant in Plungar, Nottinghamshire. In April 1911 Tom was employed as an ironstone quarry worker and was residing in the family home at Sandy Lane, Harby, together with his father a general farm labourer, his mother and siblings, Eliza a general domestic servant, Charlotte, a schoolgirl, May, a schoolgirl, Madge, born 1903, Claude Edward, born 1905 and James, born 1907, the latter three siblings were all born in Harby. The family also used the surname spelling of Rollings, but the officially recorded surname for Tom was Rawlings. Tom was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 16 Oct-16 – SCHWABEN REDOUBT. Enemy made small bombing attack which was easily beaten off in early hours of morning. Day quiet except for intermittent shelling.
The War Diary records: 17 Oct-16 – SCHWABEN REDOUBT. Another small bombing attack which was repulsed. At 3.00pm enemy commenced a heavy bombardment of the redoubt with 5.9 and 8 inch shells, which lasted until 8.30pm. Our artillery replied vigorously. During the bombardment the Battalion was relieved by 14th HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT. Relief completed by 9.00pm, and Battalion proceeded to billets at AVELUY, Casualties 5 officers, 156 other ranks.
On Friday November 10th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – HARBY. – MEMORIAL SERVICES. – Memorial services were held on Sunday, in the afternoon at Church and in the evening at Chapel, for the late Lance-Corpl. Tom Rawlings. Suitable pulpit references were made.