| Thomas was the son of William and Sarah Darragh. Thomas was born about 1889 in Cookstown.
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| The 1901 census records lists Thomas as age 14 living with the family at house 32 in Orritor Street, Cookstown. Thomas was still at school. His father was a labourer and his mother was a seamstress.
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| Thomas Darragh married Sarah Scullion on17th October 1908 in Cookstown. They had three sons. Joseph Darragh was born on 11th November 1909 in Cookstown. Thomas Darragh was born on 23rd July 1911 in Cookstown. William Darragh was born on 29th January 1914 in Cookstown.
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| The 1911 census shows the young family living in Chapel Street. They had one child and Thomas was working as a labourer.
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| Prior to joining the army he worked in Cookstown as a builder’s labourer and was well known in local football circles having played for both Cookstown and Derryloran Football Clubs.
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| Thomas joined the army soon after the outbreak of hostilities. He enlisted in Belfast.
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| Private Thomas Darragh had been in action for many months and was wounded in May 1916.
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| The 6th Battalion of the Connaught Rangers was formed in County Cork in September 1914 and included a company of men from West Belfast Nationalist Volunteers and were attached to 47th Brigade (Redmond’s Volunteers) of the 16th Irish Division.
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| The 6th Battalion made their advance on the village of Guillemont on 3rd September 1916, and suffered heavily, losing fifty-one men, including Private Thomas Darragh and Lieutenant Colonel J S M Lenox-Conyngham. Private Darragh was 27 years old.
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| Later that day the village fell to the British after repeated attempts over the previous two months. During one week’s fighting the Battalion would lose 23 officers and 407 other ranks.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 28th October 1916:
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| Mrs Darragh, Chapel Street, Cookstown, has received official intimation that her husband. Private T Darragh, 6th Connaught Rangers, is wounded and missing since 3rd September. Private Darragh, who joined the army about two years ago, was previously wounded last May. No particulars as to his fate are forthcoming. He wrote home very regularly up to a few weeks ago, since when nothing has been heard of him. His wife, who is naturally very anxious, has three little sons.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 2 December 1916: Private Thomas Darragh
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| Private Thomas Darragh, Connaught Rangers, who was killed in action in France on or about the 3rd September. He had been reported missing, but official intimation of his death on that date was received a few days ago. He joined the Army soon after the outbreak of the war and was in the fighting line for many months. He was wounded last May. Previous to joining he worked in Cookstown as a builder’s labourer. He was well known in local football circles, having paid for both Cookstown and Derryloran Football Clubs. His wife and three little children reside in Chapel Street, Cookstown, and much sympathy is felt for them in their sad bereavement.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 2 December 1916:
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| DARRAGH – Killed in action on or about 3rd September, Private Thomas Darragh, Connaught Rangers, beloved husband of Sarah Jane Darragh, Chapel Street, Cookstown R.I.P.
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"Farewell dear wife, I now must go
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And leave you in this world of woe
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Weep not for me or sorrow take
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But love my children for my sake
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He sleeps far away in a foreign land
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In a hollow grave unknown
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But his name is written in letters of gold
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On the hearts he left at home
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May the Heavenly wind blow softly
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O’er that sweet and hallowed spot
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Though the sea divides his grave from me
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He will never be forgot"
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| May the Lord have mercy on his soul. Sadly missed by his sorrowing wife and three little sons.
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| Private Darragh’s son, Able Seaman William Darragh, was killed during World War 2, whilst serving on board HMS Grenville on 19th January 1940.
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| Private Thomas Darragh has no known grave and is commemorated on panel 15A on Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.
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| Private Thomas Darragh is also commemorated on Cookstown Cenotaph.
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