Thomas Walsh was the son of Michael and Annie Walsh (nee Cryan). It seems they were married about 1893 in County Roscommon, where they were both born. Thomas and his twin sister Mary Jane were born on 13th February 1899 in Laghey, Dungannon. He was one of ten children. All but the first were born in the Dungannon area. The family lived in Tempanroe, Bernagh, Tyrone. His father Michael Walsh was a constable in the Royal Irish Constabulary. Lance Corporal Thomas Walsh served with the Connaught Rangers. Thomas Walsh died on 22nd February 1919. He was 20 years old.
Further Information
Thomas Walsh was the son of Michael and Annie Walsh (nee Cryan). It seems they were married about 1893 in County Roscommon, where they were both born.
Thomas and his twin sister Mary Jane were born on 13th February 1899 in Laghey, Dungannon. He was one of ten children. All but the first were born in the Dungannon area.
The 1901 census records Thomas as 2 years old. The family were living in Tempanroe, Bernagh, Tyrone. His father Michael Walsh was a constable in the Royal Irish Constabulary. His mother and father were both from Roscommon.
Known family: Michael Walsh, Norah Walsh, Eliza Kate Walsh (born about 1894, Roscommon)
Michael John Walsh (born 5th August 1895), Annie Walsh (born 30th September 1896, died 17th September 1897), Patrick James Walsh (born 19th August 1897), Thomas Walsh (born 13th February 1899, twin), Mary Jane Walsh (born 13th February 1899, twin), Alice Walsh (born 3rd June 1900), Bridget Walsh (born 22nd June 1902), Theresa Walsh (born 24th August 1903), Joseph Walsh (born 18th March 1907).
The 1911 census shows Thomas as 12 years old and still at school. The family were still living in Tempanroe, Bernagh, Tyrone.
Thomas Walsh volunteered at the extremely youthful age of 15½ years, shortly after the outbreak of war. He joined the 6th Inniskillings, and left Dungannon with a party of volunteers under Captain Robert Stevenson
1915
He was subsequently transferred to the 5th Connaught Rangers.
Private Thomas Walsh arrived in the Balkans with the Connaught Rangers on 19th December 1915.
He saw active service on all the British fronts including Gallipoli, Dardanelles, Salonika, Egypt, Palestine, Serbia and Flanders, and held the '14 and '15 Medals and Stars.
1919
Lance Corporal Walsh died through an attack of influenza at Eastbourne, Kent, England on 22nd February 1919. He was 20 years old.
From the Tyrone Courier and Dungannon News dated 6th March 1919: Lance Corporal Thomas Walsh
Much regret has been felt in the Killyman district at the death of Lance Corporal Thomas Walsh, of the 5th Connaught Rangers, third son of ex-constable Michael Walsh R.I.C., Tempanroe, which took place following an attack of influenza at Eastbourne, on 22nd February 1919. The deceased had volunteered at the extremely youthful age of 15 ½ years, shortly after the outbreak of war. He joined the 6th Inniskillings, and left Dungannon with a party of volunteers under Captain Robert Stevenson, being subsequently transferred to the 5th Connaught Rangers. He saw active service on all the British fronts including Gallipoli, Dardanelles, Salonika, Egypt, Palestine, Serbia and Flanders, and held the '14 and '15 Medals and Stars. The funeral took place to Laghey Catholic burying ground on Wednesday 26th February. The remains had been conveyed from Eastbourne. The funeral cortege was exceptionally large dimensions bearing testimony to the high respect in which the deceased and his family were held in the district.
The Rev John Beck C.C. Dungannon, officiated the funeral ceremony and Head Constable Fallon, Dungannon, and a number of police from the surrounding stations attended, and paid a last tribute of respect to the dead soldier. A firing party from Omagh Military Depot was to have attended but through a hitch in the arrangements they did not turn up. The chief mourners were :- Michael Walsh (father), Annie Walsh (mother), Michael, David, Patrick J (Belfast) and Joseph (brothers), Beatrice, Alice (Belfast), and Elizabeth K Walsh (Dungannon Infirmary) (sisters), Thomas and Patrick McCourt (brothers-in-law). The Records Officer at Cork, conveying the sad news to the deceased's father, expresses the regret of the Army Council at the deceased's death while in his country's service, and a Royal message received from Mr Winston Churchill, Secretary of War, reads 'The King commands me to assure you of the true sympathy of his Majesty, and the Queen, in your sorrow. He, whose loss you mourn, died in the noblest of causes. His country will be ever grateful to him for the sacrifice he has made for freedom and justice.' The deceased's father holds the King's Medal for long and faithful service in the R.I.C., this having been awarded six years ago.
The deceased's father, Michael Walsh, held the King's Medal for long and faithful service in the R.I.C., this having been awarded in 1913.
Last Will and Testament
Last Will and Testament of Thomas Walsh:
In the event of my death, I give whole of my property and effects to my mother Mrs Annie Walsh. Tempanroe , Dungannon Co Tyrone. Ireland 28 October 1915. Signed 5487 Thomas Walsh. 5 Connaught Rangers. Reg No 5487
Memorials
Lance Corporal Thomas Walsh was buried at St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Churchyard in Laghey, Dungannon.
Really unusually, his inscription lists his twin sister Mary Jane, who is also buried in the grave. It reads: DIED FOR KING AND COUNTRY LORD HAVE MERCY ON HIS SOUL ALSO HIS SISTER MARY JANE 15TH MARCH 1973 AGE 74
Lance Corporal Thomas Walsh is commemorated locally on Dungannon War Memorial.
Lance Corporal Thomas Walsh is listed on the War Memorial at Central Military Hospital, Eastbourne, although listed as a Private.
The CWGC records Lance Corporal Thomas Walsh as the son of Michael and Annie Walsh, of Tempanroe, Dungannon.
