Bolton Journal and Guardian

An excellent record for soldiering is that of a former Lostock Junction family, who are now living at Eccles. Mr W. Baines, landlord of the Fox Vaults, Eccles, has six out of seven sons with the Army. All are or have been in the Lancashire Fusiliers. Their names are John Baines, of the Connaught Rangers, a time-expired Lancashire Fusilier, who re-enlisted at the outbreak of the war; William Baines,also a time expired Lancashire Fusilier, now serving with the Army Medical Corps; George Baines,with the Lancashire Fusiliers at Barrow; Tom Baines of the 1st Lancashire Fusiliers; Sergt. J. Baines, 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers. At Lostock Junction the father carried on the business of a market gardener. All the sons are well known in the Lostock and Westhoughton district. Tom Baines is reported to have been killed in action in the Gallipoli Peninsular on the 11th May, and Richard is at a field hospital in France suffering from gas poisoning. Sergt James Baines was wounded early in the fighting in France, but is now back in the fighting line.

Thomas was the son of William Baines b.1856, a nurseryman / gardener, and Ann Baines née Bannister b.1856.

In 1891 Thomas was living at 160 Chew Moor Lane, Lostock, Bolton with his parents and siblings John b.1876, William b.1875, Margaret (Maggie) b.1880, Barnaby b.1882, George b.1885 and James b.1889.

The 1901 Census listed Thomas as living at Lostock Park Nursery, Wingates with his parents and siblings Margaret, Barnaby, George, James and Richard b.1892. Thomas was employed as a piecer in a cotton mill.