4th Battalion, New Zealand Rifle Brigade (New Zealand Army)
Date Of Birth:
15/04/1885
Died:
15/09/1916 (Killed in Action)
Age:
31
Summary
Thomas McMinn was the son of Samuel and Margaret Jane McMinn. Thomas was born on 15th April 1885 in Crossdernot Rock, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone. Thomas emigrated to New Zealand. Thomas McMinn enlisted in New Zealand on 15th October 1915. He was 30 years old. After training, Rifleman Thomas McMinn embarked for Suez, Egypt with C Company, 4th Battalion of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade on 5 February 1916 from Wellington, New Zealand. Rifleman Thomas McMinn was serving with the New Zealand Rifle Brigade when he was killed in action in France on 15th September 1916. He was 31 years old.
Further Information
Thomas McMinn was the son of Samuel and Margaret Jane McMinn. Samuel McMinn and Margaret Steenson were married on 21st September 1877 in the district of Dungannon.
Thomas McMinn was born 16th April 1885 in Crossdernot Rock, Dungannon, He was one of eleven children, all born in the Dungannon area.
Known family: Samuel McMinn, Margaret McMinn, Mary Jane McMinn (born 8th October 1878), Samuel McMinn (born 15th February 1881), John McMinn (born 17th March 1883), Thomas McMinn (born 16th April 1885), Hugh McMinn (born 5th October 1887), Jeremiah McMinn (born 15th February 1890), Ann McMinn (born 24th August 1892), Margaret McMinn (born 12th December 1894), Richard McMinn (born 12th May 1897), Catherine McMinn (born 16th September 1900), Joseph McMinn (born 14th December 1902).
The 1901 census lists Thomas as age 15 living with his family at house 5 in Crossdernot, Tyrone. They were a farming family. Thomas has left school.
The 1911 census does not list Thomas as living with his family at house 11 in Crossdernot, Tyrone. The family were still farming.
Thomas emigrated to New Zealand.
Thomas McMinn enlisted at Trentham Military Camp, near Wellington in New Zealand on 15th October 1915. He was 30 years old.
On enlistment, he gave his occupation as ploughman. He was working and living in Chertsey, New Zealand for Mr A Doig, possibly Andrew Doig.
After training, Rifleman Thomas McMinn embarked for Suez, Egypt with C Company, 4th Battalion of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade on 5 February 1916 from Wellington, New Zealand.
Rifleman Thomas McMinn was serving with the New Zealand Rifle Brigade when he was killed in action in France on 15th September 1916. He was 31 years old.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 5 October 1916:
Mr Samuel McMinn, Crossdernot, received a telegram on Saturday afternoon intimating that his son, Rifleman Thomas McMinn, New Zealand Expeditionary Force, has been killed in action.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 7th October 1916: Rifleman McMinn
Mr Samuel McMinn, Crossdernot, Donaghmore, County Tyrone, received a telegram on Saturday afternoon intimating that his son, Rifleman Thomas McMinn, New Zealand Expeditionary Force, had been killed in action on 16th September. The deceased soldier had emigrated to Australia a few years ago.
Rifleman Thomas McMinn has no known grave and is commemorated on the Caterpillar Valley (New Zealand) Memorial, in Caterpillar Valley Cemetery in the Somme in France.
Thomas McMinn is also commemorated locally on Carland Presbyterian Church at Gortnaglush Road, Carland. The headstone inscription reads:
In loving memory of Samuel McMinn, Crossdernott, who died 12th February 1917, Also his son Thomas, who lost his life in France, 15th September 1916. Also his wife, Margatreret J, who died 26th January 1940. Also his son Hugh, 30th January 1965.
The CWGC record Rifleman McMinn as the son of Mrs M. J McMinn of Crossdernot Rock, Dungannon, County Tyrone, Ireland.
