Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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6976636   Sergeant Thomas James Gildea
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Dated added: 30/12/2015   Last updated: 06/01/2020
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 2nd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth: 06/04/1913
Died: 17/05/1940 (Killed in Action)
Age: 28
Summary      
Sergeant Thomas James Gildea was the son of Robert and Hester Gildea, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, and the husband of Sally Gildea, 12 Sandhurst, Cookstown. Thomas James Gildea worked as a printer and also worked in Luton, England. Sergeant Gildea was killed in action on the night of 17th May 1940 aged 28. It is believed that Sgt. Gildea was killed close to the Senne Canal at Halle in an action to support Royal Engineers who were demolishing bridges.
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 Thomas James Gildea
Cemetery Details
Cemetery: Halle Communal Cemetery
  Halle, Vlaams-Brabant, 2
Grave Ref:
CWGC Casualty 2896441
Summary      
Halle is a town 16 kilometres south-west of Brussels on the road to Mons and Tournai. From the Ring Road RO around Brussels, turn off at Junction 20 and turn onto the Alsembergsesteenweg in the direction of Halle. At the end of the road turn left onto the N6 and then take the 6th turning on the right into Ninoofsesteenweg then immediately bare right into Cypriaan Verhavertstraat. After 400 metres turn right into Gaasbeeksesteenweg and after 200 metres the entrance of the cemetery is facing you with car parking in the front outside the gates. The cemetery can also be reached on foot from the train station after about a 15 minute walk.
portrait
Local Memorial Details

No Memorial Name Townland
1 Cookstown Cenotaph WWII - North Panel Cookstown
Local Institute / Local Book Details

No Name Page
1 Cookstown War Dead Book WW2 315
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1911 Census lists Gildea family Lists Robert John as age 4 living with the family at house 66 in Millbourn St, Cookstown
2 FindAGrave.com Photo of Sergeant Thomas James Gildea's grave
3 Fusilier Robert Gildea Brother of Sergeant Thomas James Gildea
4 War Graves Photographic Project Photo of Sergeant Thomas James Gildea's grave can be purchased here
Cookstown District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2010-2023