Gerald’s Father, William James Thatcher, inherited the business of the Welton Brewery Company on the death of his Father. The estate at the time was valued at £45,000 which in todays money would be the equivalent of about £3,000,000. Gerald married Rose Beachim Beauchamp whose family owned a number of colliery’s in and around the Midsomer Norton area, including Norton Hill. On the 19l I census the family were shown living at Norton House, Midsomer Norton which was between the Midsomer Norton Rugby Club and the Chilcompton junction, where there are now three or four large bungalows.
Gerald was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his part in the operations around Beersheba and the citation is enclosed in his documents.
In 1918 he returned to duty when he received a serious wound to the head and was invalidated home by hospital ship.
The exact extent of his injuries are not known but he died in Pangbourne, Berkshire on 17 May 1922.
| Name | Gerald Gane Thatcher |
| Address – 1911 Census | Stones Cross, Midsomer Norton then Norton House, Midsomer Norton then White Cottage, Midsomer Norton |
| Died | 17.05.1922 of injuries sustained during the War |
| Rank | Major (acting Lt. Colonel) |
| Age at death | 48 |
| War Graves Commemoration | Awarded the DSO |
| Married Rose Beachim Beauchamp – local coal mine owning family incl. Norton Hill Colliery |
