Thomas and Harriett came to live in Thornton after their first two children had been born in Moulton: Mary Jane on 19 October 1890 and Samuel Herbert on 15 March 1893. Thomas was a salt labourer like his father and grandfather before him.
On 31 January 1901, when the Census was taken, the Curbishleys were recorded at Rose Bud Cottages, Fleetwood Road with their four children, daughter Betsey having been born in 1898. Another son Charlie was born the following year on 11 May. The children were educated at Thornton Council School on Church Road.
By the time the next Census was taken on 2 April 1911, the three older children were all working. Mary Jane was a domestic servant living with a family in Marton. Herbert was a boot maker, still living at home with his parents at East View, Marsh Road. Harry had become a farm labourer at Prospect Farm, Poulton-le-Fylde. He later worked at College Farm, Rossall Road.
Harry enlisted in Fleetwood at the age of 18, a month after war broke out, joining the Grenadier Guards. After training at home he was posted to France with the British Expeditionary Force on 16 March 1915. He was reported as missing in action on 17 October 1915 at the Battle of Loos. At the time, it was the largest British offensive of the First World War.
Harry's parents were informed that he was missing but, as his body was never found, it was a further twelve months before his death was officially confirmed.He was aged 19. Guardsman Harry Curbishley, 18625, 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards is commemorated on Panels 5-7 of the Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.
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