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27747   Corporal Thomas James McMath
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Dated added: 17/04/2016   Last updated: 22/05/2020
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 10th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth: 23/08/1896
Died: 08/08/1917 (Killed in Action)
Age: 20
Summary      
Thomas McMath was the son of Thomas and Mary Jane McMath. He was born on 23rd August 1896 in Kilrea. He was the second of five sons. They lived in Kilrea town. His father was an agricultural labourer. Thomas left school and had become a telegraph messenger for Kilrea postal service. Corporal Thomas McMath was serving with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action on Wednesday 8th August 1917.
Corporal Thomas James McMath
Further Information
Thomas McMath was the son of Thomas and Mary Jane McMath. Thomas McMath married Mary Wilson on 14th September 1891 in the district of Magherafelt.
Thomas James McMath was born on 23rd August 1896 in Kilrea. He was the second of five sons.
Family: Thomas McMath, Mary Jane McMath, Robert R McMath (born 1st April 1894, Maghera), Thomas James McMath (born 23rd August 1896, Kilrea), William John McMath (born 20th January 1898, Kilrea), Andrew W McMath (born 12th July 1900, Kilrea), Matthew McMath (born about 1903, 22nd February 1902, Kilrea).
The 1901 census lists Thomas J as age 5 living with the family at house 37 in Coleraine Street, Kilrea, County Londonderry. His father was an agricultural labourer.
The 1911 census lists Thomas James as age 14 living with the family at house 22 in Coleraine Street, Kilrea. Thomas had left school and was a telegraph messenger.
Prior to enlisting he was a popular member of the Kilrea postal staff.
Thomas was a member of Kilrea L.O.L. No. 366.
Thomas McMath enlisted in Londonderry.
Medal card
Thomas’ father died in Kilrea on 17th September 1915. He was 59 years old.
From the Northern Constitution dated 17th August 1917: Andrew McMath (brother of Corporal Thomas McMath)
Private Andrew McMath, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, Bridge Street, was home on leave
Corporal Thomas James McMath was serving with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action on Wednesday 8th August 1917.
From the Northern Constitution dated 25th August 1917:
Corporal Thomas McMath, son of Mrs M J McMath, Bridge Street, Kilrea, and the late Thomas McMath, has been killed in action. Prior to enlisting he was a popular member of the Kilrea postal staff and was admired by his colleagues and the general public. His younger brother is also serving with the Inniskillings.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 25th August 1917:
Corporal Thomas McMath, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, Bridge Street, Kilrea, killed in action. The deceased was a member of Kilrea Apprentice Boys L.O.L., and of the Kilrea Company of the U.V.F.
From the Northern Constitution dated 25th August 1917: Obituary
Thomas, third son of Mrs McMath, age 21, sadly missed by sorrowing mother and brothers
From the Northern Constitution dated 22nd September 1917
Kilrea L.O.L. 366 A.G.M. A vote of sympathy was passed with Mrs McMath on the death of one of their staunchest members, Brother Thomas McMath, who was killed in action.
Last Will and Testament of Corporal Thomas McMath:
In the event of my death, I give the whole of my property and effects to my mother, Mary Jane McMath, Bridge street, Kilrea, Co Derry, Ireland. 27747 Corporal McMath, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
Corporal Thomas McMath is buried in Wieltje Farm Cemetery, north east of Ypres.
Corporal Thomas McMath is commemorated in 1st Kilrea Presbyterian Church.
Thomas’s brother, Private Andrew McMath, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers also served. He survived the war.
The CWGC record Corporal Thomas James McMath as the son of Thomas and Mary Jane McMath of The Diamond, Kilrea, County Londonderry.
Read more
Relevant Magherafelt Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Coleraine Street, Kilrea Kilrea Census listing in Coleraine Street, Kilrea 54.953766 -6.556132
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 Census lists McMath family 1901 census lists Thomas J as age 5 living with the family at house 37 in Coleraine Street, Kilrea, Londonderry
2 1911 Census lists McMath family 1911 census lists Thomas James as age 14 living with the family at house 22 in Coleraine Street, Kilrea, Londonderry
3 FindAGrave.com Photo of Corporal Thomas James McMath's grave
4 National Archives of Ireland Last Will and Testament of Corporal Thomas James McMath
5 National Archives UK Medal card of Corporal Thomas James McMath can be purchased here
6 War Graves Photographic Project Photo of Corporal Thomas James McMath's grave can be purchased here
Magherafelt District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2014-2023