Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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7771   Private Thomas Montgomery
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Dated added: 30/12/2015   Last updated: 01/05/2020
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 2nd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth: 02/12/1885
Died: 07/11/1914 (Killed in Action)
Age: 28
Summary      
Thomas Montgomery was the youngest son of Samuel and Nancy Montgomery. He was born in Moneymore on born 2nd December 1885. He was the youngest of nine children, all born in the Moneymore area. Thomas and his father were farm labourers. Thomas was an Army Reservist. He emigrated to Canada sometime between 1911 and 1914. He returned home to re-join his regiment. Private Thomas Montgomery was serving with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action on Saturday 7th November 1914.
Private Thomas Montgomery
Further Information
Thomas Montgomery was the youngest son of Samuel and Nancy Montgomery. Samuel Montgomery and Nancy Barkley were married on 25th October 1867 in the district of Cookstown.
Thomas was born in Moneymore on born 2nd December 1885. He was the youngest of nine children, all born in the Moneymore area.
Known family: Samuel Montgomery, Nancy Montgomery, Jane Montgomery (born 15th September 1868), Unknown Female Montgomery (born 30th May 1870), Unknown Female Montgomery (born 25th August 1871), Unknown Female Montgomery (born 2nd June 1873), John Montgomery (born 20th May 1875), William I Montgomery (born 20th February 1879),Samuel Montgomery (born 25th April 1881), Mary Montgomery (born 14th November 1883), Thomas Montgomery (born 2nd December 1885)
The 1901 census does not list Thomas as living with the family at house 10 in Carrydarragh, Moneymore, County Londonderry. Samuel Montgomery was a caretaker.
Nancy Montgomery died on 29th September 1907 in the Moneymore area. She was 57 years old.
The 1911 census lists Thomas as age 26, living with his father at house 5 in Carrydarragh, Moneymore, Londonderry. Both Thomas and his father were farm labourers.
Thomas was an Army Reservist.
Thomas emigrated to Canada sometime between 1911 and 1914.
1914
His period of service as a reservist was due to expire in December 1914, but when he saw the mobilisation notices he made arrangements to return home to re-join his regiment, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
Medal card
Private Thomas Montgomery arrived in France with the first draft of the British Expeditionary Force, Third Army Corps, 4th Division, 12th Infantry Brigade.
Private Thomas Montgomery was serving with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action on Saturday 7th November 1914.
His unit had been sent to recover trenches on the edge of Ploegsteert Wood and two desperate assaults were made. They were eventually driven back with heavy casualties.
At the time of his death his brother John was training at Finner Camp, County Donegal.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 28th November 1914:
MONTGOMERY – 7th November, killed in action, Private Thomas Montgomery, of the 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, son of Samuel Montgomery, Moneymore.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 28th November 1914: Private Thomas Montgomery
Mr Samuel Montgomery, Moneymore, has received intimation of the death of his son, Private Thomas Montgomery, of the 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Private Montgomery, who was a reservist, had been in Canada for several years, and his period for service expired next month. When he saw the mobilisation notices he made arrangements to return home at once to re-join his regiment, though strong pressure was brought to bear on him by his friends in Canada to remove to the United States. Great sympathy is felt for his aged and infirmed father and other bereaved friends. Private Montgomery’s brother, John, is in training with the Derry Regiment of the Ulster Division in Finner Camp.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 5th December 1914: Private Thomas Montgomery
Private Thomas Montgomery, of the 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, whose death at the front we announced last week.
1916
Thomas's brother, Private John Montgomery, was wounded in the summer of 1916.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 12th August 1916: Private John Montgomery (brother)
Newspaper Report
Private John Montgomery has intimated to his wife in Moneymore that he is in hospital in England, having been wounded in recent fighting. A brother was killed earlier in the war.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 2 December 1916: Moneymore - Private John Montgomery (brother)
Private John Montgomery, Royal Inniskillings, recently paid a visit to his wife and family, who reside in smith Street. He was severely wounded in the big offensive of 1st July, and lay many hours on the battlefield before being picked up. He has been for a long time in hospital in England.
Private Thomas Montgomery has no known grave and he is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial.
Private Thomas Montgomery is commemorated on Moneymore War Memorial (Assembly Rooms) and First Moneymore Presbyterian Roll of Honour.
Private Thomas Montgomery is also listed on the Canadian Virtual War Memorial and is commemorated on Page 565 of the Canadian First World War Book of Remembrance.
The CWGC record Private Thomas Montgomery as the son of the late Samuel and Nancy Montgomery.
Read more
Relevant Cookstown Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Carrydarragh, Moneymore Moneymore Census listing in Carrydarragh, Moneymore 54.700549 -6.704159
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 Census lists Montgomery family Des not list Thomas as living with the family at house 10 in Carrydarragh, Moneymore, Londonderry
2 1911 Census lists Montgomery family Lists Thomas as age 26 iving with the family at house 5 in Carrydarragh, Moneymore, Londonderry
3 Canadian Virtual War Memorial Details of Private Thomas Montgomery including memorial image
4 National Archives UK Medal card can be purchased here
Cookstown District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2010-2023