Name

Thomas Hastings.

Description

Newspaper Photograph of Rifleman Thomas Hastings.

Life Story

Name: Thomas Hastings.

Service Number: 9383.

Rank: Rifleman.

Battalion: 1st Battalion.

Regiment: Royal Irish Rifles.

Born: 1st April 1893, Belfast.

Died: 9th May 1915.

Address: 10 Fifth Street, Belfast

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Thomas Hastings, son of William and Margaret Hastings, lived at 10 Fifth Street, Shankill, Belfast

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The 1901 Ireland Census has Thomas living at 5 Fifth Street, Belfast with his mother, occupation, House Keeper, father, Labourer, four brothers, James, 18 years, Labourer, John, 11 years, Samuel, 9 years, Andrew, 3 years, and two sisters, Lizzie, 14 years, Flax Spinner, Maggie, 5 years

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The 19011 Ireland Census has Thomas family living at 51 Wilton Street, Belfast

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Thomas joined the Royal Irish Rifles

He was posted as part of the British Expeditionary Force to France on the 6th November 1914.

Thomas was a Rifleman in 1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles when he was Killed on 9th May 1915 aged 22 years.

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A local newspaper states

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Mrs M Hastings of 10 Fifth Street, Belfast, would be grateful to hear from anyone who may know anything of her son, Rifleman Thomas Hastings (9282), 1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, who was reported missing on May 9, after the engagement at Rouge Bancs, and has not been heard of since. Mrs Hastings has four sons with the colours, three of whom are serving with the Royal Irish Rifles (Ulster Division), stationed at Seaford, the other being stationed at Holywood with the 5th Batt R.I.R. Another son of Mrs Hastings, Robert, was discharged from Victoria Barracks last June as medically unfit, after undergoing two operations

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Another states

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Rifleman Tom Hastings, 1st Batt. Royal Irish Rifles, has been posted as missing since May 9. He is twenty two years of age, and came from Aden with his regiment, and then went to the front. Anyone who can give information about him might communicate with Mr Hastings 20 Raglan Street, Bonhill, Scotland

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Another simply states

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Rifleman Thomas Hastings, Royal Irish Rifles, missing since 9th May 1915, is now reported killed. He is a son of Mr William Hastings, 10 Fifth Street, Belfast

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A Pension Application Form shows his mother and father as claimants for both him and his brother John.

Dependant Pension Application Forms show his mother and father as claimants and that they lived at 167 Vernon Street, Belfast at the time of applying

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See brother also: 12908 Lance Corporal John Hastings 8th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles.

See brother also: 14772 Rifleman James Hastings 9th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles

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A newspaper article also mentions brothers Robert and William as serving, the former being discharged due to being medically unfit

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

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He is Remembered at Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium.

To Remember Is To Honour

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