Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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6500   Rifleman Thomas John Graham
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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: 18/05/1897
Died: 16/12/1917 (Killed in Action)
Age: 20
Summary      
Thomas John Graham was born in Pomeroy. When he enlisted in Belfast he did not name his parents as next of kin, so they may have passed on. He joined the 14th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles and following a number of years spent at the front Thomas was killed in action on 16th December 1917. He was the only man from his Battalion killed on this day. He has no known grave and is commemorated on panel 15A-15B on the Thiepval Memorial, France.
Further Information
ALL PERSONAL INFORMATION INCLUDING FAMILY AND DATES ARE PROVISIONAL, AS NOTHING HAS BEEN FOUND TO LINK THE SOLDIER WITH THE CENSUS DETAILS. THIS IS A ‘BEST-FIT’ GUESS AND REQUIRES CONFIRMATION
Thomas John Graham was the son of Thomas and Annie Graham. Thomas Graham married Annie Ellison on 23rd May 1888 in the district of Cookstown.
Thomas John Graham was born on 18th May 1897 in the Pomeroy area. He was one of twelve children, eleven surviving.
The 1901 census lists Thomas John as age 3, living with family at house 30 in Cavanakeeran, Pomeroy, County Tyrone. His father was a Civil Bill Officer. He would have worked for the Court, issuing summonses.
Family: Thomas Graham, Annie Graham, James Graham (born 31st May 1889), Dickson Graham (born 14th August 1890), Alexander Graham (born 2nd December 1892), Annie Graham (born 8th October 1894), Thomas John Graham (born 18th May 1897), Minnie K Graham (born 27th August 1899), Ellen Jane Graham (born 11th June 1901), Christina Graham (born 31st May 1903), David Graham (born 18th December 1904), William Graham (born 19th September 1906), Joseph Samuel Graham (born 5th February 1908), Sarah Graham (born 4th November 1910).
The 1911 census lists Thomas John as age 14, living with family at house 25 in Cavanakeeran, Pomeroy. His father’s occupation remained the same.
He joined the 14th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles and following a number of years spent at the front Thomas was killed in action on 16th December 1917. He was the only man from his Battalion killed on this day.
Thomas John Graham enlisted in Belfast. He lived for a time at 20 Distillery Street in the city.
Medal card
He has no known grave and is commemorated on panel 15A-15B on the Thiepval Memorial, France
Rifleman Thomas John Graham was serving with the 14th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles when he was killed in action on Sunday 16th December 1917. He was the only man from his battalion killed on this day.
Rifleman Thomas John Graham has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in France.
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Relevant Cookstown Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Pomeroy area Pomeroy Born in Pomeroy area 54.594932 -6.930307
2 Cavanakeeran Pomeroy Census listing in Cavanakeeran 54.595548 -6.936816
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 Census lists Graham family 1901 census lists Thomas John as age 3, living with family at house 30 in Cavanakeeran, Pomeroy, Tyrone
2 1911 Census lists Graham family 1911 census lists Thomas John as age 14, living with family at house 25 in Cavanakeeran, Pomeroy, Tyrone
3 Belfast WW1 Listings Lived at 20 Distillery Street, Belfast
4 National Archives UK Medal card can be purchased here
Cookstown District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2010-2023