Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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5906   Private Thomas McGerr
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Dated added: 30/12/2015   Last updated: 04/09/2021
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth: 30/05/1896
Died: 04/05/1915 (Killed in Action)
Age: 18
Summary      
Thomas McGerr was the son of Henry and Mary McGerr. He was born in Glenaul, County Armagh on 30th May 1896. His father was a linen beetler. Thomas became a linen weaver. The family lived in Milltown Village, just west of Benburb. Private Thomas McGerr was serving with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers when he was killed in action on the 4th May 1915.
Further Information
Thomas McGerr was the son of Henry and Mary McGerr. Thomas McGerr and Mary McSorley were married on 4th May 1890 in the district of Armagh.
Thomas McGerr was born in Glenaul, County Armagh on 30th May 1896. He was one of five children, all born in the Blackwatertown area.
The 1901 census records Thomas as 5 years old. The family were living at Tullymore Etra, Glenaul, County Armagh. Henry was a linen beetler.
Known family: Henry McGerr, Mary McGerr, John McGerr (born 25th August 1891), Sarah McGerr (born 10th April 1893), Catherine McGerr (born 13th October 1894), Thomas McGerr (born 30th May 1896), Mary McGerr (born 5th April 1898), Joseph Henry McGerr (born 8th May 1909), Theresa McGerr (born 11th September 1911).
The 1911 census shows Thomas as 14 years old. He had left school and was a linen weaver. The family were living in Milltown Village, Glenaul, County Armagh.
Thomas McGerr was living in Benburb, County Tyrone when he enlisted in Armagh.
Medal card
Private Thomas McGerr arrived in France with the Royal Irish Fusiliers on 22nd February 1915.
On the back of his will, it can be seen that his first wage payment was made on 25th March 1915.
Private Thomas McGerr was serving with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers when he was killed in action on the 4th May 1915, aged 18.
In his will, he left his money to his parents and the rest of his property to his brother John.
Last Will and Testament of Thomas McMcGerr:
In case of my death I will 'leave' my money and to my mother and father and the rest of my property to brother John. Date 20tth April 1915. Mother's address. Mrs M McGerr, Milltown Mills, Benburb. County Armagh, Ireland
Private Thomas McGerr has no known grave and is commemorated on Panel 42 of the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.
The CWGC record Private Thomas McGerr as the son of Henry and Mary McGerr of Milltown, Benburb, County Tyrone.
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Relevant Dungannon Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Milltown, Benburb Benburb Census listing in Milltown, Benburb 54.407865 -6.766148
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
04/05/1890 M McSorley Mary Parent M/1890/Q1/197/8/171b
04/05/1890 M McGerr Henry Parent M/1890/Q1/197/8/171a McGirr
25/08/1891 B McGerr John Sibling U/1891/10/1002/9/76
10/04/1893 B McGerr Sarah Sibling U/1893/10/1002/9/215
13/10/1894 B McGerr Catherine Sibling U/1894/10/1002/9/347
30/05/1896 B McGerr Thomas Casualty U/1896/10/1002/10/1 McSurley
05/04/1898 B McGerr Mary Sibling U/1898/10/1002/10/170
08/05/1909 B McGerr Joseph Sibling U/1909/10/1002/12/23
11/09/1911 B McGerr Theresa Sibling U/1911/10/1002/12/216
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 Census lists 'McGier' family Lists Thomas as age 5 living with the family at house 26 in Tullymore Etra, Glenaul, Armagh
2 1911 Census lists McGerr family Lists Thomas as age 14 living with the family at house 10 in Milltown Village, Glenaul, Armagh
3 National Archives of Ireland Last Will and Testament of Thomas McGerr
4 National Archives UK Medal Card can be purchased here
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