Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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   Private Thomas George Doris
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Dated added: 30/12/2015   Last updated: 23/08/2019
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: US Army (United States Army)
Date Of Birth: 28/04/1893
Died: 07/10/1918 (Killed in Action)
Age: 25
Summary      
Private Thomas George Doris was born 28th April 1893, the son of Michael Doris and Maryann Doris (nee Corr), of Farsnagh Coagh. Thomas immigrated to the United States and settled in Milford, Connecticut. He served with the American Expeditionary Force in France and was killed in action during the Muese Argonne Offensive, on the 7th October 1918. His remains were returned home to the “Old Cross”, Ardboe, where his body is interred in the Doris Family plot at the Old Cross Abbey and Cemetery, Ardboe, County Tyrone.
Private Thomas George Doris
Further Information
Private Thomas George Doris was born 28th April 1893.
He was the second son, and third child, of Michael Doris and Mary Anne Corr of Farsnagh Coagh. There were nine children in the family: three girls and six boys.
The Doris family owned a small farm on the shores of Lough Neagh, and part of their income was derived from fishing on the lough. Tammy, as he was known, was a Lough Neagh fisherman until he decided to emigrate to the United States.
Thomas immigrated to the United States and settled in Milford, Connecticut
Thomas George Doris arrived at Ellis Island, New York on 20 September 1915. He arrived on the Philadelphia which left from Liverpool.
No United States Military draft details can be found for Thomas Doris, as not all men eligible for military service actually registered for the draft in 1917.
Thomas George Doris photo
He served with the American Expeditionary Force in France and was killed in action during the Muese Argonne Offensive, on the 7th October 1918.
His next of kin is given as Mrs Mary Ann Doris, Cookstown, Farnagh, Ardhow, Co Tyrone
Thomas G Doris's remains were returned to Dublin aboard the SS Millwater (an Ipswich based coal freighter) from Antwerp on Sunday 7th May 1920.
Private Doris’ remains were returned home to the “Old Cross”, Ardboe
The whole parish of Ardboe turned out to pay their respects as the funeral cortege made its way from Lavery’s Corner to the Old Cross, the coffin bedecked with the Stars and Stripes, and flanked by a colour party of United States soldiers.
Thomas George Doris is interred in the Doris Family plot at the Old Cross Abbey and Cemetery, Ardboe, County Tyrone.
Also on board the Millwater were the remains of 61 other Irish/American Irish Soldiers who perished in WW1 fighting for the AEF. Six of these men where taken to Tyrone for burial. Thomas G Doris to Ardboe, Patrick Grimes to Killeenan (Kildress), William Tally Mallon to Galbally, Stephen Morris to Greencastle, Frank McDermott to Dunmoyle (Ballygawley) and Michael Kearney to Drumquin.
Milford, Connecticut Memorial
He is commemorated on a plaque in Milford, Connecticut.
He is also commemorated in United States of America, Soldiers of The Great War - Volume 1 - Connecticut.
Thomas George Doris poster
United States Army pictorial memorial.
Read more
Relevant Cookstown Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Farsnagh, Munterevlin Ardboe Census listing in Farsnagh, Munterevlin 54.610292 -6.512256
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 Census lists Doris family 1901 census lists Thomas George as age 7 at house 28 in Farsnagh, Munterevlin, Tyrone
2 1911 Census lists Doris family 1911 census lists Thomas George, a fisherman, as age 17 at house 13 in Farsnagh, Munterevlin, Tyrone
3 Ellis Island Details of emigration of Thomas George Doris
4 Facebook notes Details and photo of the 'cabinet'
5 Facebook notes Thomas George Doris, Farsnagh, Ardboe, Co Tyrone and Connecticut USA (1893-1918)
6 Milford, Connecticut Memorial Milford World War I Memorial listing Thomas George Doris
7 Private Patrick Grimes Also on board the SS Millwater
Cookstown District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2010-2023