Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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16589   Corporal Thomas Henry
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Dated added: 30/12/2015   Last updated: 01/05/2020
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 14th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles (British Army)
Date Of Birth: 21/10/1896
Died: 16/08/1917 (Killed in Action)
Age: 20
Summary      
Thomas Andrew Henry was the son of Robert and Elizabeth Henry. He was born in Cookstown on 21st October 1896. His father was a labourer. The family moved to Belfast. By 1911, Thomas had left school and was employed as a card lacer. Thomas Henry enlisted in Belfast. Corporal Thomas Henry was serving with the 14th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles, attached to the 109th Trench Mortar Battery, when he was killed in action on Thursday 16th August 1917.
Further Information
Thomas Andrew Henry was the son of Robert and Elizabeth Anne Henry. Robert Henry and Elizabeth Blair were married on 3rd November 1881 in the district of Dungannon.
Thomas Henry was born at in the parish of Derryloran, Cookstown, on 21st October 1896.
The 1901 census lists Thomas Andrew as age 4, living with the family at house 9 in Church Street Cookstown. His father was a labourer.
Family: Robert Henry, Eliza Ann Henry, Annie Jane Henry (born about 1883), Maria Henry (born about 1885), Martha Henry (born 29th March 1887), Margaret Henry (born 10th July 1888), William D Henry (born 9th September 1890), Mary Henry (born 29th December 1892), John James Henry (born 4th April 1895), Thomas Andrew Henry (born 21st October 1896), Caroline E Henry (born 7th March 1898), Robert Henry (born about 1901), Samuel George Henry (born 25th July 1902).
The 1911 census lists Thomas Andrew as age 14, living with the family at house 36 in Ballyskeagh Town, Drumbeg, County Down. Thomas had left school and was employed as a card lacer. A card lacer fed pattern cards into weaving looms.
Thomas Henry enlisted in Belfast, joining the 14th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles.
Medal card
Sometime before the Battle of Langemarck he became attached to the 109th Trench Mortar Battery.
Corporal Thomas Henry was serving with the 14th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles, attached to the 109th Trench Mortar Battery, when he was killed in action on Thursday 16th August 1917.
The ground in this area of Belgium became a quagmire, following the incessant rain.
Thomas has no known grave and is commemorated on Tyne Cot Memorial.
The CWGC record Corporal Thomas Henry as the son of Robert and Elizabeth Henry of 88 Mount Pottinger Road, Belfast.
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Relevant Cookstown Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Church Street Cookstown South Census listing in Church Street 54.637457 -6.743986
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 Census lists Henry family 1901 census lists Thos Andrew as age 4 at house 9 in Church St, Cookstown
2 1911 Census lists Henry family 1911 census lists Thomas Andrew as age 14 at house 36 in Ballyskeagh Town, Drumbeg, Down
3 Gravestone inscription - Thomas Henry "also out dear son Corp. T.A. Henry. RIR - Killed in Action in Ypres -16th August 1917"
4 National Archives UK Medal card can be purchased here
Cookstown District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2010-2023