Soldier Record

THOMAS O'CONNOR 239129

Thomas never saw his son and Edward never knew his father.

KIA 22/08/17 PASSCHENDAELE

5th BATTALION HEREFORDSHIRE REGIMENT

(Attached to 5th Battalion King's Shropshire Regiment)

On 11th March 1885 Thomas O' Connor and his twin sister Mary Lucinda were born in Birkenhead, Cheshire, England. He was one of the brothers of my Great Grandmother and one of the seven children of Thomas (a seafarer) and Jane O' Connor, who were both from Ireland.

His twin sister died a few months later.

Thomas was educated in Birkenhead and when he left school gained an apprenticeship as a plumber. He was a lifelong member of St Werburgh's RC Church.

In 1907 he married Mary Beatrice at St.Laurence's RC Church. As well as working for the Gasworks and later for Cammell Laird shipbuilders, Thomas was also employed as a special constable in Birkenhead.

In April 1917 he joined the Herefordshire Regiment (then attached to the 5th Battalion King's Shropshire Regiment) but was killed just four months later on 22/08/1917 at the battle of Passchendaele. He had only been in France for three weeks before receiving his fatal wounds. Thomas was awarded The British War Medal and The Victory Medal.

When he died he left his wife Mary (Cissie) and five children – Frances (9)Thomas (8)William (6) Eugene (4) and Dorothea (1).

In March 1918, seven months after his death, Thomas' sixth child Edward James was born. Thomas never saw his son and Edward never knew his father.

As well as at Tyne Cot Thomas is also remembered and honoured at the World War 1 Memorial in Birkenhead.

In memory of my great great uncle Thomas O' Connor.