Name

Thomas Bradshaw

Description

Newspaper Photograph of Corporal Thomas Bradshaw

Life Story

Name: Thomas Bradshaw.

Service Number: 12542.

Rank: Corporal.

Battalion: 15th Battalion.

Regiment: Royal Irish Rifles.

Born: 22nd February 18 97, Shankill, County Antrim.

Died: 23rd December 1915.

Address: 48 Upper Townsend Street, Belfast

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Ulster Volunteer Thomas Bradshaw, son of Thomas and Sarah Bradshaw, lived at 48 Upper Townsend Street, Shankill Road, Belfast.

The 1901 Ireland Census has Thomas living at 34 Cavour Street, Belfast with his mother, father, occupation, Packer, and five sisters, Minnie, 10 years, Sarah, 8 years, Tressa, 6 years, Jememina, 1 year, Edith, under 1 year.

The 1911 Census has Thomas living at 46 Cavour Street, Belfast with his mother, father, Packer, and five sisters, Mary Ann, Machinist, Teresa, Machinist, Sarah, Machinist, Jemima and Edith. His occupation at this time is noted as a Messenger Boy.

Prior to enlisting Thomas was employed as an apprentice joiner at Messrs Workman Clark Co.

Thomas was member of the North Belfast Ulster Volunteer Force.

Thomas joined the Royal Irish Rifles.

He was posted as part of the British Expeditionary Force to France on the 4th of October 1915.

Thomas was a Corporal within 15th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles when he Died Of Wounds in France on the 23rd December 1915 aged 18 years.

A Local Newspaper article states the following.

Corporal Thomas Bradshaw (North Belfast Regiment), who died of wounds on the 23rd inst, was the only son of Mr and Mrs Thomas Bradshaw 48 Upper Townsend Street, Belfast.

News of his death is contained in a letter from the chaplain, Rev James Quinn, rector of St Michaels Church, Shankill Road, Belfast, who had previously written stating that Bradshaw was wounded on the 22nd. The chaplain writes on the 24th, I am sorry to have to inform you that your son has succumbed to his injuries. He passed peacefully away yesterday morning at 2.15. I am sure you will feel his death greatly. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy. May God give you grace to bear the burden that has been laid upon you, and enable you to say, as the Master said, Not my will but Thine be done. Your son has died a noble death a man could hardly die a nobler one, and we have hope for a life immortal. I am glad I saw your son before the end. Amongst the few things in his pocket was a copy of the Daily Light and a short letter from his minister. These will be forwarded to you through the War Office. We buried him near to a number of others who have died for their country. His grave will be marked with a wooden cross with his name, date of death, engraved thereon. Corporal Bradshaw was the man for whom Bugler James Baird, whose heroic death was reported in Wednesdays issue, gave up his life in trying to rescue. He was only 18 years of age, was a member of the North Belfast Regiment U.V.F, and prior to enlisting was a apprentice joiner at Messrs Workman Clark Co's.

Thomas Soldiers Effects were left to his father Thomas.

A Dependants Application Form shows his mother, father and sister Teresa as claimants.

Thomas received the British War Medal, Victory Medal and 1914-1915 Star.

He is Remembered at Mailly-Maillet Communal Cemetery Extension, France.

To Remember Is To Honour

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