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.
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.
