5th Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment (British Army)
Died:
08/02/1915 (Home)
Age:
31
Summary
Thomas Patterson was the son of William George and Margaret Patterson. He was born in Dungannon about 1884. Thomas married Letitia Wade about 1909. The 1911 census show 27 year old Thomas living with his new family at Drumreagh Otra, Tullyniskane, Tyrone. He had a 1 year old daughter, Violet. Thomas was a blacksmith. Thomas enlisted with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Private Thomas Patterson was serving with the 5th Battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment when he died on 8th February 1915, age 31.He is buried in grave number 326 at Holy Trinity Church of Ireland Churchyard, Tullyniskane, Newmills, Dungannon.
Further Information
Thomas Patterson was the son of William George and Margaret Patterson. George Patterson and Margaret Patterson were married on 7th October 1876 in the district of Dungannon.
Thomas was born in Dungannon about 1884. He was one of at least eight children, all born in the Newmills / Coalisland area.
Known family: William George Patterson, Margaret Jane Patterson, John Patterson (born 26th July 1876), Elizabeth Patterson (born 3rd January 1879), Thomas Patterson (born about 1884), Maggie Patterson (born 24th September 1885), Robert Patterson (born 9th November 1888), Fredrick S Patterson (born 10th April 1893).
The 1901 census does not list Thomas as living with the family at house 1 in Drumreagh Etra, Tullyniskane, Tyrone. His father was a spade maker.
The 1911 census show 27 year old Thomas living with his new family at Drumreagh Otra, Tullyniskane, Tyrone. He had a 1 year old daughter, Violet. Thomas was a blacksmith.
Thomas Patterson and Letitia Wade were married on 12th March 1909 in the district of Dungannon.
The 1911 census does not list Thomas as living with his parents at house 7 in Drumreagh Etra, Tullyniskane, Tyrone.
Thomas Patterson served in the Boer War.
Thomas and Letitia went on to have at least four children, all born in the Newmills area.
Known family: Thomas Patterson. Letitia Patterson, Violet Margaret Patterson (born 25th December 1909), Flora Patterson (born 12th September 1911), Thomas Patterson (born 27th July 1913), William Patterson (born 14th September 1915).
1914
Thomas enlisted with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, with the Service No. 11369.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 31st October 1914: (Private Robert Patterson - brother of Thomas Patterson)
Private R Patterson, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, has sent word to his father, Mr W S Patterson, Newmills, that he is a prisoner of war in a German town. He is being treated very well. Private Patterson saw active service on the Indian frontier and served in other parts of the British Empire. He was just three months on the reserve list when called up.
1915
Private Thomas Patterson was serving with the 5th Battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment when he died of pneumonia on 8th February 1915, age 31.
Thomas had two other brothers who served. Corporal Fred Patterson was with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Robert became a prisoner of war. Both survived the war.
1916
From the Tyrone Courier dated 4th May 1916: (brother of Thomas Patterson)
Corporal Fred Patterson, Inniskilling Fusiliers, volunteered shortly after the outbreak of war, and is present at the front with the Ulster Division. He is a son of Mr John Patterson, Drumreagh, Newmills, and before enlisting was a shop assistant in Messrs Balance and Lennons, Dungannon.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 13th May 1916: (brother of Thomas Patterson)
Amongst the .local men home on leave from France at present are Captain Charles Newell, Royal Engineers, Corporal R A Williamson, Inniskilling Dragoons and Corporal Fred Patterson of the 9th Inniskillings.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 13 July 1916: Fred Patterson (brother of Thomas Patterson)
Corporal Fred Patterson, wounded, is the son of Mr John Patterson, Drumreagh,. His brother, Tom, who served in the Boer War, was killed in France, and another brother, Bob, is a prisoner of war.
It can be assumed that the Courier reference his father's name as 'John' is incorrect, as all other sources refer to his father as William George Patterson.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 15th July 1916: (brother of Thomas Patterson)
Corporal Frederick S Patterson, Tyrone Volunteers, son of Mr William G Patterson, Drumreagh, Newmills, Dungannon. One of his brothers is a prisoner of war in Germany, and another brother who had served throughout the South African War died while undergoing training for the present campaign.
1917
From the Tyrone Courier dated 29 March 1917 (brother of Thomas Patterson)
Corporal Fred Patterson, 9th Inniskillings, who had been wounded in action for the second time, is a son of Mr William G Patterson, Drumreagh, Newmills, and prior to volunteering was a shop assistant in Messrs. Balance and Lennon's, Dungannon. One of his brothers is a prisoner of war in Germany and another brother (Thomas), who had served throughout the South African War, died while undergoing training for the present campaign.
1918
From the Tyrone Courier dated 2nd May 1918: Three and a half years a Prisoner (Private Robert Patterson - brother of Thomas Patterson)
Private Robert Patterson, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, who has arrived in Holland preparatory to being exchanged, has been a prisoner of war in Germany since the retreat from Mons. He is a son of Mr William G Patterson, Drumreagh, Newmills, Dungannon, and prior to the present war had been on active service in India and taken part in the suppression of the Boxer Rebellion in China. On being taken prisoner, he was interned in Limburg and on one occasion had tried to escape but was recaptured when within twenty yards of the Dutch frontier. His brother Thomas had served in the Boer War and, joining up at the outbreak of the present campaign, had died of illness in February 1915. Another brother, Sergeant Fred Patterson, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, who was an assistant with Messrs Balance and Lennon, Dungannon, volunteered at the outbreak of watr and has been since serving.
Thomas Patterson is buried in grave number 326 at Holy Trinity Church of Ireland Churchyard, Tullyniskane, Newmills, Dungannon. He does NOT have a CWGC headstone.
Headstone 45 in the grounds of Tullanisken Church reads:-
'In Remembrance of William George Patterson, died 6th March 1929, also his wife Margaret Jane, died 26th April 1924 and their son Thomas, died 8th February 1915, also Kathleen who died early in life and their son Benjamin died 20th March 1945 also their son John, died 20th February 1958 and his wife Elizabeth, died 7th June 1989, also their daughter Irene 6th October 1975 and their son William George, died 17th January 1997. 'He is altogether lovely' Sol. Song 5:16 '
Private Thomas Patterson is commemorated locally on Dungannon War Memorial and on Newmills Parish Church of Ireland World War One Memorial Plaque.
Private Thomas Patterson is also commemorated locally on Newmills L.O.L. 183 Dungannon Roll of Honour.
The CWGC record Private Thomas Patterson as the son of William George and Margaret Patterson of Drumreagh Hill. He is also recorded as the husband of Letitia Patterson (nee Wade), of Newmills, Dungannon.
