Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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10660   Private Thomas James Kernaghan
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Dated added: 30/12/2015   Last updated: 16/07/2021
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 2nd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth: 12/05/1896
Died: 04/12/1915 (Died)
Age: 19
Summary      
Thomas James Kernaghan was the oldest son of Thomas and Sarah Kernaghan of Augher. He was born on 12th May 1896 in Augher. The 1901 census records Thomas as 4 years old. The family is living at Annaloughan, Augher. By 1911 Thomas’ mother was a widow. Private Thomas James Kernaghan was serving with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he died on 4th December 1915. He is buried on the outskirts of Rouen in France.
Further Information
Thomas James Kernaghan was the oldest son of Thomas and Sarah Kernaghan. Thomas Kernaghan and Sarah Cooke were married on 4th June 1895 in the district of Dungannon.
Thomas Kernaghan was born on 12th May 1896 in Augher, County Tyrone. He was the oldest of at least seven children, all born in the Clogher area.
The 1901 census records Thomas as 4 years old. The family is living at Annaloughan, Augher. Thomas senior was a farmer.
Known family: Thomas Kernaghan, Sarah Kernaghan, Thomas James Kernaghan (born 12th May 1896), Charlotte Kernaghan (born 21st July 1897), Mark Kernaghan (born 27th July 1899), Maria Kernaghan (born 31st March 1901), William John Kernaghan (born 4th January 1903), Robert Kernaghan (born 23rd November 1904), Sarah Kernaghan (born about 1909).
Thomas’s father died in the Clogher area on 12th February 1905. He was 50 years old. Thomas would have been nine years old.
The 1911 census does not list Thomas as living with the family at house 8 in Annaloughan, Augher. His mother was a widow and now a farmer.
The 1911 census has a possible listing of Thomas, aged 14, living at house 14 in Main Street, Augher. He was working as servant for the McLaren family in Augher.
Thomas Kernaghan enlisted in Omagh.
Medal card
Private Thomas Kernaghan arrived in France with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers on 29th August 1914.
Private Thomas James Kernaghan was serving with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he died on 4th December 1915. Because he is buried in Rouen, which was a ‘hospital’ town, it seems likely that Private Thomas Kernaghan died of wounds received.
In his will Thomas left all to his sister Charlotte.
Last Will and Testament of Thomas Kernaghan:
'In the event of my death, I give the whole of my property and effects to my sister Sharlotte. Thomas Kernaghan. No 10660, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. 5th September 1915. '
Private Thomas Kernaghan is buried in St Sever Cemetery on the outskirts of Rouen in France. His inscription reads: EVER REMEMBERED BY HIS LOVING BROTHERS AND SISTERS AND BROTHER IN LAW
Private Thomas James Kernaghan is commemorated locally on Clogher War Memorial, listed as being from Annaloughan.
The CWGC record Private Thomas James Kernaghan as the son of Thomas Kernaghan of Annaloughan, Augher, County Tyrone.
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Relevant Dungannon Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Annaloughan, Augher Augher Census listing in Annaloughan, Augher 54.441846 -7.107825
2 Augher Town Augher Census listing in Augher Town 54.427906 -7.132742
GRONI References
TYPE - B:Birth M:Marriage D:Death | GRONI | SIBLING: brother or sister | NOTES: spelling inconsistencies, etc.
Date Type Surname First name Relationship GRONI Ref Notes
04/06/1895 M Cooke Sarah Parent M/1895/T1/1443/2/68b
04/06/1895 M Kernaghan Thomas Parent M/1895/T1/1443/2/68a
12/05/1896 B Kernaghan Thomas Casualty U/1896/107/1026/11/229
21/07/1897 B Kernaghan Charlotte Sibling U/1897/107/1026/11/348
27/07/1899 B Kernaghan Mark Sibling U/1899/107/1026/12/53
31/03/1901 B Kernaghan Maria Sibling U/1901/107/1026/12/199
04/01/1903 B Kernaghan William Sibling U/1903/107/1026/12/376 Cook
23/11/1904 B Kernaghan Robert Sibling U/1904/107/1026/13/49
12/02/1905 D Kernaghan Thomas Parent D/1905/107/1026/12/122 died age 50
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 Census lists Kernaghan family Lists Thomas as age 4 living with the family at house 3 in Annaloughan, Augher
2 1911 Census lists Kernaghan family Does not list Thomas as living with the family at house 8 in Annaloughan, Augher
3 1911 Census may list Thomas Kernaghan Possible listing of Thomas, aged 14, living at house 14 in Main Street, Augher
4 FindAGrave.com Photo of Private Thomas Kernaghan's headstone
5 National Archives of Ireland Last Will and Testament of Thomas Kernaghan
6 National Archives UK Medal Card can be purchased here
7 War Graves Photographic Project Photo of Private Thomas Kernaghan's headstone can be purchased here
Dungannon District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2015-2023