Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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52205   Private Thomas McCornish
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Dated added: 30/12/2015   Last updated: 25/08/2021
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 1st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth: 30/04/1890
Died: 20/08/1918 (Home)
Age: 28
Summary      
Thomas McCornish was the youngest son of James and Mary McComish. There are many derivatives of the spelling of the surname. He was born on 30th April 1890. He was the youngest of at least six children, all born in the Coalisland area. By 1901 the family had moved to the Shankill in Belfast. His father was a flax dresser. It seems Thomas went to live the north of England. Thomas initially enlisted with the Royal Irish Rifles, but later served with the Northumberland Fusiliers. Private Thomas McCornish died on 30th August 1918 in Belfast.
Further Information
Thomas McCornish was the youngest son of James and Mary McComish. Thomas McCornish and Mary Steenson were married on 28th July 1871 in the district of Dungannon.
Derivatives of the spelling of the surname are plentiful. They include: McComish, McCornish, McCormish, McComas, McComash. For simplicity, McCornish is used throughout.
Thomas McCornish was born on 30th April 1890. He was the youngest of at least six children, all born in the Coalisland area.
Known family: James McCornish, Mary McCornish, Unnamed son McCornish (born 14th February 1877), Matilda McCornish (born 6th June 1879), William McCornish (born 8th February 1882), John McCornish (born 7th January 1885), Mary Jane McCornish (born 9th April 1887), Thomas McCornish (born 30th April 1890).
The 1901 census lists Thomas as age 11, living with the family at house 29 in Paris Street, Shankhill, Belfast. James McCornish was a flax dresser.
The 1907 Belfast Street directory lists three McComish families side by side on Paris Street. William was a flax dresser (No 16), Samuel was a labourer (No 20) and James McCornish was a flax dresser (No 22).
It seems Thomas went to live the north of England.
Thomas McCornish originally enlisted with the Royal Irish Rifles, service number 9136.
Medal card
Private Thomas McCornish served with the 1st Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers.
Private Thomas McCornish died on 30th August 1918 in Belfast. He was 28 years old.
Private Thomas McCornish is buried and commemorated on Screen Wall H539 in Belfast City Cemetery.
Private Thomas McCornishis also commemorated on page 61/62 of the Northumberland Fusiliers Book or Remembrance, which is located in the Fusiliers Museum of Northumberland in the Abbot’s Tower at Alnwick Castle.
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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
28/07/1871 M Steenson Mary Parent M/1871/T1/1446/1/111b
28/07/1871 M McCornish James Parent M/1871/T1/1446/1/111a McCormish
14/02/1877 B McCornish Not Capt M Sibling U/1877/110/1012/9/39 McComas
06/06/1879 B McCornish Not Capt F Sibling U/1879/110/1012/10/131 McComash
08/02/1882 B McCornish William Sibling U/1882/110/1012/12/6 McComish
07/01/1885 B McCornish John Sibling U/1885/110/1012/14/98 McCormish
09/04/1887 B McCornish Mary Sibling U/1887/110/1012/16/27 McCormish
30/04/1890 B McCornish Thomas Casualty U/1890/110/1012/17/119 McComish
10/08/1918 D McCornish Thomas Casualty D/1918/48/1007/81/57 died age 28
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1911 census lists 'McComish' family Lists Thomas as age 11 living with the family at house 29 in Paris Street, Shankhill, Antrim
2 Belfast Street Directory 1901 22 Paris Street - James McComish, flax dresser
3 Belfast Street Directory 1907 22 Paris Street - James McComish, flax dresser
4 Belfast Street Directory 1910 28 Paris Street - James McComish, flax dresser
5 FindAGrave.com Photo of Private Thomas McCornish's headstone
6 Ireland Memorial Record Lists Thomas McCornish, Dungannon
7 National Archives UK Medal card of thomas McCornish can be purchased here
8 Northumberland Fusiliers Book or Remembrance Listed on page 62
9 War Graves Photographic Project Photo of Thomas McCornish's gravestone can be purchased here
Dungannon District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2015-2023