Private Thomas Sweeney
The background of this North Irish Horseman is not known at present.
Thomas Sweeney enlisted in the North Irish Horse between 17 and 20 August 1914 (No.1012). Almost immediately, on 20 August, he embarked for France with C Squadron, seeing action on the retreat from Mons and advance to the Aisne.
In June 1916 C Squadron combined with F Squadron and the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron to form the 2nd North Irish Horse Regiment, serving as corps cavalry to X Corps until September 1917, when the regiment was disbanded and its men transferred to the infantry.
Sweeney, however, was one of about thirty men of the regiment who, on 9 July 1917, were transferred to the Labour Corps (No.333702) and posted to No.664 Home Service Labour Company. In most cases the men were no longer physically fit for front-line service. He remained in this role until the end of the war.