Thomas Berrington was born in Sawley in 1896. His father was from Kew, Surrey but worked as a painter in the sheet stores. They lived at 47 Hey Street and in 1911, Thomas (15) and his older sister were working as lace hands.
During the Great War Thomas served as a rifleman with 4th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps. He died aged 19 on 25 May 1915 during the 2nd Battle of Ypres. He has no known grave, but his name is on the Menin Gate.