Private Thomas Hanlon

 

Thomas Hanlon (real name Halnan) was born on 5 May 1876 at Ardmore, Yougal, County Waterford, the first child of farmer (later coachman and labourer) Michael Halnan and his wife Elizabeth (née Deacon). His mother died when he was just eight years old. At the time of the 1901 Census he was living at Killsaintanns South, Castlelyons, County Cork, where he worked as domestic groom to Clerk in Holy Orders William Henry Godfrey and his family.

By 1913 he was living at Askeaton, County Limerick, and working as a groom and coachman. On 29 April that year he married Mary Kathleen Ruttle in the Askeaton Church of Ireland Parish Church. The couple had two children before Mary's death in December 1917.

On 2 August 1915 at Cavan, Hanlon enlisted in the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron (No. UD/273 – later Corps of Dragoons No.21279). He gave his address as Bishopscourt, Clones, County Monaghan, and his occupation as a groom and coachman.

Hanlon remained at Enniskillen with the reserve squadron throughout the war (probably on account of his age). On 17 October 1918 he married Elizabeth Kells in the Clones Church of Ireland Parish Church, County Monaghan.

On 15 November 1918 he was transferred to the Army Service Corps (Motor Transport Branch) (No. M/427487). On 26 February 1919 he was demobilised and transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve.

 

This page last updated 7 August 2023.