Name

Thomas Sales.

Description

Belfast Telegraph Newspaper Photograph of Private Thomas Sales.

Life Story

Name: Thomas Sales.

Service Number: PLY/14074.

Rank: Private.

Battalion: H.M.S Lion.

Regiment: Royal Marine Light Infantry.

Born: Belfast.

Died: 31st May 1916.

Address: 18 March Street, Belfast

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Thomas Sales, son of Robert and Margaret Sales, lived at 18 March Street, Shankill, Belfast

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The 1901 Ireland Census has Thomas living at 5 March Street, Shankill, Belfast with his mother, father, occupation, Linen Finisher, four brothers, John, 12 years, David, 8 years, Robert, 2 years, William, under 1 year, and sister Jennie, 6 years. A John Seals, 68 years, Linen Finisher, is also registered within the house

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The 1911 Ireland Census has Thomas family living at 18 March Street, Shankill, Belfast

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Thomas signed the Ulster Covenant on the 28th of September 1912, Ulster Day, within West Belfast Orange Hall, Shankill Road.

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Thomas was a Private within the Royal Marine Light Infantry when aboard H.M.S Lion he was Killed In Action on the 31st May 1916 aged 26 years.

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A local newspaper states

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Belfast Marine Killed.

Mr Robert Sales, 18 March Street, Belfast, has been advised by the Admiralty that his second son. Thomas, of the R.M.L.I, was killed in the recent naval battle. Deceased who was serving on H.M.S Lion, was twenty six years of age, and had nine years service. His elder brother, Sergeant John Sales, who was killed on May 18 1915, while serving with the Irish Guards, was well known in football circles, and joined from the London Police Force. Another brother is on active service with the Ulster Division.

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Dependant Pension Application Forms show both Thomas mother and father as claimants

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See brother also: 2261 Sergeant John Sales 1st Battalion Irish Guards.

See brother also: 84173 Corporal David Sales Royal Defence Corps.

See brother also: 539 Rifleman Robert Sales 10th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles.

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

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He is Remembered at Plymouth Naval Memorial, United Kingdom.

To Remember Is To Honour

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