Thomas Coleman SLADDEN (1875-1932)

Thomas Coleman Sladden (1875-1932), known as Tom, was the nephew of Julius Sladden, being the son of his elder brother, Francis.

Tom was born at Ash, Kent, in 1875, the second of three children of Francis Nixon Sladden and his wife, Edith (née Potter).  He was baptized in the Church of St Nicholas, Ash, on 7th November 1875.  He grew up at Guston Farm House, Ash.  

For a few months in 1895-1896, Tom worked with his uncle, Julius Sladden, at Sladden & Collier's Brewery in Evesham and lived with the Sladdens at Seward House.  He did not pursue a career in brewing, however, and, at some stage at the end of the 19th century, he went to South Africa and fought in the South African War.  He remained in South Africa for the rest of his life.

Records show that Tom joined Bloemfontein Freemasons in 1908.  During the First World War, records show that Private Thomas Coleman Sladden, No 923, Thorneycroft's Mounted Infantry Regiment, was entitled to the South Africa Medal and clasp.

In 1918, when his mother was having a mental breakdown, he sent home money to help with nursing home fees.

Tom died in the Transvaal, South Africa, in 1932, aged 57.