Name

Roll of Individuals Entitled to the Victory Medal and British War Medal.

Description

Roll of Individuals Entitled to the Victory Medal and British War Medal Granted Under Army Orders 301 and 266 of 1919 Royal Irish Rifles.

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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