Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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2739   Corporal Thomas Espey
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Dated added: 30/12/2015   Last updated: 15/04/2021
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 4th Regiment, South African Infantry (South African Army)
Date Of Birth: 18/05/1878
Died: 07/01/1918 (Killed in Action)
Age: 39
Summary      
Thomas Espey was the son of James and Elizabeth Espey. He was born on 18th May 1878 in Gortreagh, Cookstown. He was one of at least four children. Thomas was a railway clerk in Cookstown before emigrating to South Africa. Thomas married Florence Espey in 1908, and they had two sons. Prior to enlisting, he was a Carrier's Contractor and lived in Three Anchor Bay, Cape Town. He enlisted in August 1915. Corporal Espey was one of the 143 survivors who left Delville Wood on 20 July 1916. Corporal Thomas Espey was serving with the 4th Regiment of the South African Infantry when he was killed in action on 7th January 1918.
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 Thomas Espey
Cemetery Details
Cemetery: Fins New British Cemetery
  Sorel-Le-Grand, Somme, 4
Grave Ref: Grave 3-F-13
CWGC Casualty 554589
Summary      
Fins is a village on the road between Cambrai and Peronne. The British Cemetery is a little south-east of the village in the district of Sorel Le Grand on the right hand side of the road to Heudicourt.
portrait
Local Memorial Details

No Memorial Name Townland
1 St Luran's Church, Church Street Cookstown
2 Cookstown Cenotaph WWI - East Panel 1927 Cookstown
3 Cookstown Cenotaph WWI - East Panel 2018 Cookstown
Local Institute / Local Book Details

No Name Page
1 Cookstown War Dead Book WW1 241
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 Census lists Espey family 1901 census lists Thomas as age 23, living with family at house 1 in Gortreagh, Oritor, Tyrone
2 1911 Census lists Espey family 1911 census does not list Thomas as living with relatives at house 5 in Gortreagh, Oritor, Tyrone
3 GNR War Memorial Thomas Espey not listed on Great Northern Railway War Memorial
4 South Africa War Graves Project Photo of Corporal Thomas Espey's grave
5 South African Auction website Medals sold in South Africa
6 War Graves Photographic Project Photo of Corporal Thomas Espey's grave can be purchased here
Cookstown District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2010-2023