Name

Thomas Walker.

Description

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Certificate relating to Rifleman Thomas Reid Walker.

Life Story

Name: Thomas Walker.

Service Number: 12492.

Rank: Rifleman.

Battalion: 1st Battalion.

Regiment: Royal Irish Rifles.

Born: 18th November 1896, Shankill, Belfast.

Died: 9th May 1915.

Address: 96 Bristol Street, Shankill, Belfast

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Thomas Walker, son of Thomas and Elizabeth Walker, lived at 96 Bristol Street, Shankill, Belfast

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The 1901 Ireland Census has Thomas living at 96 Bristol Street with his mother, father, occupation, General Labourer, two sisters, Sarah Jane, 12 years, Maria, 9 years, and brother Samuel James, 2 years

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The 1911 Ireland Census has Thomas living at 97 Bristol Street with his mother, occupation, Char Woman, four sisters, Sarah, 22 years, Hem Stitcher, Maria, 19 years, Linen Weaver, Maggie, 9 years, Cassie, 6 years, and brother Samuel, 12 years. Thomas occupation at this time is given as Messenger

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Thomas joined the Royal Irish Rifles.

He was posted as part of the British Expeditionary Force to France on the 20th March 1915.

Thomas was a Rifleman in 1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles when he was Killed In Action on the 9th May 1915 aged 18 years

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A local newspaper states

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Rifleman Thomas Walker, 1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, who has been killed in action in France, was connected with Belfast, his relatives living at 96 Bristol Street

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Thomas Soldiers Effects were left to his sister Maria.

A Dependant Pension Application Form shows Maria as claimant also.

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See brother also: 722 Rifleman Samuel James Walker Royal Irish Rifles.

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

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He is Remembered at Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium.

To Remember Is To Honour

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