Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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17770   Private Thomas James Mossey
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Dated added: 30/12/2015   Last updated: 18/08/2021
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 9th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth: 12/08/1895
Died: 08/05/1916 (Killed in Action)
Age: 20
Summary      
Thomas James Mossey was the son of David and Eliza Mossey. He was born in Augher, County Tyrone on 12th August 1895. He one of five children, all born in the Clogher area. The family is living at Main Street, Augher. Thomas’s father David is a farm labourer. Thomas Mossey enlisted in Augher. Private Thomas Mossey served with "C" company, in the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Private Thomas James Mossey was killed in action at Authuile, in the Somme region on 8th May 1916.
Further Information
Thomas James Mossey was the eldest son of David and Eliza Mossey. David Mossey and Eliza Patterson were married on 28th May 1889 in the district of Dungannon.
Thomas Mossey was born in Augher, County Tyrone on 12th August 1895. He one of five children, all born in the Clogher area.
Known family: David Mossey, Eliza Mossey, Eliza Lizzie Mossey (born 5th August 1889), David Samuel Mossey (born 22nd February 1891), Francis Harry Mossey (born 4th September 1893), Thomas James Mossey (born 12th August 1895), Richard Mossey (born 30th December 1898).
The 1901 census records Thomas as 5 years old, living with the family at Main Street, Augher. Thomas’s father, David, is a farm labourer.
Thomas’ father died in the Clogher area on 4th September 1907, age 50.
The 1911 census records that Thomas no longer lived with the family. His mother still lived in Main Street, Augher. She worked as a washerwoman.
Thomas Mossey enlisted in Augher.
1915
Medal card
Private Thomas Mossey arrived in France with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers on 5th October 1915.
1916
Thomas’ brother Private Richard Mossey, also served. He was injured in March 1916.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 20th March 1916: Richard Mossey (brother of Thomas Mossey)
Private Richard Mossey, 9th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (County Tyrone Volunteers), has been wounded in France. He belongs to the Clogher Valley district, and was formerly employed by Messrs. Richardson Limited, Dungannon.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 23rd March 1916: Richard Mossey (brother of Thomas Mossey)
Saturday’s casualty list contained the name of Private Richard Mossey, 9th Inniskilling Fusiliers), who has been wounded in France. He belongs to the Clogher Valley district, and was formerly a shop assistant in the employment of Messrs R Richardson Limited, Dungannon. Private Mossey was one of the first to volunteer at Dungannon, and joined the 6th Inniskillings, being afterwards transferred to the 9th. He was a prominent member of the U.V.F.
From the Tyrone Constitution dated 24th March 1916: Richard Mossey (brother of Thomas Mossey)
The following N.C.O.’s and men have been wounded: 10830 Private R Mossey, No. 3 Company.
From the Tyrone Constitution dated 24th March 1916: Clogher Valley Man Wounded - Richard Mossey (brother of Thomas Mossey)
Private Richard Mossey, 9th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, who has been wounded in France, belongs to the Clogher Valley district, and was formerly a shop assistant employed by Messrs Richardson Limited, Dungannon. Private Mossey was one of the first to volunteer at Dungannon, and joined the 6th Inniskillings, afterwards transferred to the 9th. He was a prominent member of A company, Dungannon Battalion U.V.F., and alos connected with the Young Men’s Society.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 25th March 1916: Richard Mossey (brother of Thomas Mossey)
Private Richard Mossey, No 3 Company, 9th Royal Inniskillings (Tyrone Volunteers), has been wounded. He is a native of the Clogher Valley district and he had been for several years a shop assistant in the employment of Messrs Richard Richardson Limited, Dungannon. He was one of the first Dungannon men to volunteer, joining the 6th Battalion Royal Inniskillings and afterwards being transferred to the 9th Battalion, to be in touch with many of his former companions. He was an active member of Dungannon Young Men’s Society and also of A company, Dungannon U.V.F. He is the first local man injured since the Ulster Division went to the front.
From the Tyrone Constitution dated 7th April 1916: Richard Mossey (brother of Thomas Mossey)
10830 Private R Mossey, No. 3 Company, bullet wound, 7th March 1916. His mother Mrs Eliza Mossey, lives at Main Street, Augher, Tyrone. Private Mossey joined the battalion soon after the outbreak of war.
Private Thomas Mossey was serving with ‘C’ company, in the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action at Authuile, in the Somme region, on 8th May 1916.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 19th May 1916:
Private T Mossey, son of Eliza Mossey, Augher
From the Tyrone Courier dated 25 May 1916:
Other casualties officially reported in the Inniskillings are :- Killed – Privates G Walker and T Mossy (Augher) ; Wounded - Privates G Caddoo (Greystone), G R Bryan (Dungannon), Jack Williamson (Benburb) and Lace-Corporal J Kerr (Coalisland)
Thomas Mossey's brother, David Samuel Massey, also died in the First World War.
Memorials
Private Thomas James Mossey is buried in Authuile Military Cemetery. His inscription reads: TRUE UNTIL DEATH
Private Thomas Mossey is commemorated locally on Clogher War Memorial as Thomas Mossey of Augher.
The CWGC record Private Thomas James Mossey as the son of David and Eliza Mossey of Augher, County Tyrone.
Read more
Relevant Dungannon Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Main Street, Augher Augher Census listing in Main Street, Augher 54.42828 -7.126998
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
28/05/1889 M Patterson Eliza Parent M/1889/T1/1443/2/57B
28/05/1889 M Mossey David Parent M/1889/T1/1443/2/57A
05/08/1889 B Mossey Eliza Sibling U/1889/107/1026/9/454 Massey
22/02/1891 B Mossey David Sibling U/1891/107/1026/10/128
04/09/1893 B Mossey Francis Sibling U/1893/107/1026/10/446
12/08/1895 B Mossey Thomas Casualty U/1895/107/1026/11/146
10/12/1898 B Mossey Richard Sibling U/1899/107/1026/11/494
04/09/1907 D Mossey David Parent D/1907/107/1026/12/382 died age 50
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 Census lists Mossey family Lists Thomas J as age 5 living with the family at house 12 in Main Street, Augher
2 1911 Census lists Mossey family Does not list Thomas as living with the family at house 54 in Main Street, Augher
3 BillionGraves.com Photo of Private Thomas Mossey's headstone
4 Brother - Davild Samuel Massey Brother of Thomas Mossey
5 National Archives UK Medal Card can be purchased here
6 War Graves Photographic Project Photo of Private Thomas Mossey's headstone can be purchased here.
Dungannon District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2015-2023