9th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth:
02/05/1894
Died:
09/05/1916 (Died of Wounds)
Age:
21
Summary
Thomas Andrew Irvine was the son of John James and Eliza Anne Irvine. He was born on 2nd May 1894 in Ranenly, Fivemiletown. He was one of at least twelve children. They were a farming family. Thomas was a section leader of the Ulster Volunteer Force. Corporal Thomas A Irvine was serving with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he died of wounds in France on 9th May 1916.
Further Information
Thomas Andrew Irvine was the son of John James and Eliza Anne Irvine. John Irvine and Eliza Bloomfield were married 30th March 1876 in the district of Fermanagh.
Variations of Irvine, Irwin, Ervine, Erwine and Erwin. Variations of Bloomfield include Broomfield, Brownfield and Blomfield.
Thomas A Irvine was born on 2nd May 1894 in Ranenly, Fivemiletown. He was one of at least twelve children, all born in the Clogher area.
Known family: John James Irvine, Eliza Anne Irvine, John William Irvine (born 5th February 1877), Mary J Irvine (born 14th October 1878), Sarah Irvine (born 11th November 1880), Eliza Irvine (born 11th June 1882), Maggie Irvine (born 10th March 1884), Eliza A Irvine (born 2nd November 1885), Charlotte Irvine (born 16th October 1887), Lucinda Irvine (born 1st November 1888), James Noble Irvine (born 16th January 1891), Thomas Andrew Irvine (born 2nd May 1894), Crawford Irvine (born 10th August 1896), Alfred George Irvine (born 14th July 1898).
The 1901 census records Thomas as 6 years old. He was living with the family at Ranenly, Fivemiletown, County Tyrone. His father was a farmer.
The 1911 census records Thomas as 17 years old. He was still living with the family at Ranenly, Fivemiletown, County Tyrone. His occupation was described as farmer's son.
Thomas was a section leader of the Ulster Volunteer Force.
Thomas Irvine enlisted in Clogher.
1915
Lance Corporal Irvine arrived in France with Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers on 5th October 1915.
1916
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 18th April 1916: County Tyrone Men Wounded
The following men of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, who belong to County Tyrone, and were formerly members of the U.V.F., have been slightly wounded:- 13661 Private T Irvine, son of J J Irvine, Ranenly. Fivemiletown
Corporal Thomas A. Irvine was serving with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when de died of wounds on 9th May 1916, age 22.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 22th May 1916:
Corporal Thomas Irvine, son of Mr J J Irvine, Kiltermon, Fivemiletown, has been killed in action. He belonged to the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, and was formerly a section leader of the Ulster Volunteer Force.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 26th May 1916: Died of Wounds
Corporal T Irvine, son of Mr J J Irvine, Ranenly, Fivemiletown
1918
From the Tyrone Courier and Dungannon News dated Thursday 11 April 1918:
An interesting ceremony took place in the Protestant Hall, Clogher on Monday when Mr Sir Knight William Coote M.P., unveiled for the Sir Knights of Clogher, R.B.P., 800, two oil painted portraits of Sir Knights Edward Young, of Nurchossy, and Thomas Irvine, Kiltermon, who had been killed in action. Sir Knight Thomas Williamson presided and letters of apology for non-attendance were read from Sir Knight J C Crossle, D.M., and Sir Knight Rev T Dogg, M.A., Fivemiletown. Sir Knight Coote made touching reference to the noble deeds of the dead heroes and was thanked at the close by the chairman and Sir Knight James Cairns.
Last Will and Testament
In his will, Thomas left all to his mother.
Last Will and Testament of Thomas A. Irvine:
'In the event of my death, I give the whole of my property and effects to Mrs Eliza Anne Irvine, Ranenly, Fivemiletown, County Tyrone, Ireland. Signed Thomas Irvine. Private 13661. 9th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Date: 4th October 1915.'
Memorials
Corporal Thomas Irvine is buried in Beauval Communal Cemetery south of Doullens in France.
Corporal Thomas Irvine is commemorated locally on Fivemiletown War Memorial and also on the WWI Roll of Honour in St John's Church Fivemiletown,
Corporal Thomas Irvine is also commemorated locally on Clogher War Memorial.
Corporal Thomas Irvine is also commemorated locally on Timpany L.O.L. No. 889 Roll of Honour.
The CWGC record Corporal T Irvine as the son of John James and Eliza A Irvine of Ranenly, Fivemiletown, County Tyrone.
Corporal Thomas Irvine is listed on page 22 of the Fivemiletown book, from which some of these details come from. Many thanks to Mark Byers for the information.
