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Private Thomas James Charles

 

Thomas James Charles was born on 22 July 1892 at Scotch Street, Dungannon, County Tyrone, the fourth of seven children of merchant Thomas Henry Charles and his wife Amelia (née Rogers). By the time of the 1911 Census he was living at Scotch Street with his parents and four siblings.

Charles enlisted in the North Irish Horse at Dungannon on 14 May 1914 (No.944). He gave his occupation as 'merchant'.

Mobilised on the declaration of war, Charles was found to be suffering from 'VDH' (valvular disease of the heart) which had originated at Dungannon in 1911 when he "got wet & had Rheumatic fever".

On 11 August 1914 Charles was discharged as permanently unfit for military service (paragraph 281, Mobilisation Regulations). His military conduct was recorded as 'very good'.