Thomas and the Battalion embarked aboard H.M.T. Andania at Devonport on the 11/07/1915. Onboard were 30 Officers and 951 Other Ranks. Also onboard were Brigadier General Hill, 31 Infantry Brigade staff, 6th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers & Divisional Cyclist Company. On the 15/07/1915 they called at Gibraltar then on the 18/07/1915 they arrived at Malta. On the 20/07/1915 they left Malta for Alexandria and arrived there on the 22/07/1915. On the 24/07/1915 they left for Lemnos and arrived in Mudros Bay on the 26/07/1915. On the 30/07/1917 they left for Mytilene and arrived at Port Ieros, Mytilene the following day. Thomas lasted just 16 days in Gallipoli. His Battalion were part of the 31st Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division. Thomas was Killed in Action during the 'Attack on the Kiretch Tepe Sirt' at Gallipoli. The Battalion lost 39 men on this day. From the 10th (Irish) Division book - "Kiretch Tepe Sirt - The sun reached the west and began to sink ; the ranks were thin, the men were weary, and many mangled bodies lay along the fatal ridge. The 6th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers, exposed both in front and in flank, had been practically annihilated. Their 5th Battalion came up to reinforce them and shared their fate. Three Officers of this Regiment. Captains Panton and Kidd, and 2nd Lieutenant Heuston, earned the Military Cross by the inspiring example they gave on this occasion. The last-named was reported as ''wounded and missing'' and was probably killed in this fight. Nearly all the Officers of the Irish Fusiliers had fallen, and the other Regiments were in nearly as bad a case ; but still the line held on. Tired and hungry and thirsty as they were, unable to strike a blow in their own defence, yet still the men of the 10th Division were resolved not to retire a step until the order to do so came. They were but young soldiers, who had had less than a year's training, and had received their baptism of fire only a week earlier ; but they were determined that however stern the ordeal they would not disgrace their Regiments". SEE PHOTOS x 10 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY AUGUST 1915. Thomas is listed as the 7th BATTALION on the Coatbridge Memorial. Thomas previously worked in Midleton distillery in his hometown. He is also remembered on the St. Augustine's Roll of Honour and on his new hometown Memorial in Midleton, Co. Cork which was unveiled on 10/06/2018 (see photos). A huge thanks to the Western Front Association (Cork Branch) and 2 of their members, Paul Busteed and Eugene Power for information and photos and for the work they do regarding the men who fell from Midleton, Co. Cork. See photos for Thomas' Medal Index Card, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his name on the Irelands Casualties WW1, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Helles Memorial Panel List, the Royal Irish Fusiliers Cap Badge and Thomas' Pension Records x 3. Finally, see photos for the Newspaper clipping Coatbridge Express 06/01/1915 (Thomas listed on the St. Augustine's Roll of Honour), PHOTOS x 36 FOR THE 10th (IRISH) DIVISION BOOK AUGUST 1915, PHOTOS x 4 FOR THE DIVISIONS OFFICER CASUALTIES, PHOTOS x 2 FOR THE DIVISIONS HONOURS AWARDED and the 10th (Irish) Division Order of Battle x 14 (the Division he was with when he fell). The 10th (Irish) Division in Gallipoli is available to read online -
HERE
