Thomas's Story.
On 11th March 1885 Thomas O’Connor and his twin sister Mary Lucinda were born in Birkenhead, Cheshire. He was one of the seven children of Thomas (a seafarer) and Jane O’Connor who were both from Ireland.
His twin sister died a few months later.
Thomas was educated at St Werburghs School and when he left gained an apprenticeship as a plumber.
In 1907 Thomas married Mary Beatrice Allcock at St Laurence’s church Birkenhead. He was employed at Cammell Laird shipbuilders, but had been previously worked at the Gasworks. Thomas was also employed as a special constable in Birkenhead
He joined the Herefordshire Regiment (then attached to the 5th Battalion King’s Shropshire Regiment) he was killed in action four months later on the 22nd August 1917 during the 3rd Battle of Ypres also known as Passchendaele. It was during a battle which later became known as the 3rd Phase. The Battle of the Menin Road.
The war diary for the 5th Battalion Kings Shropshire Light infantry will appear here shortly.
Thomas was awarded the British War medal and the Victory Medal.
As well as Tyne Cot Thomas is also remembered and honoured on the War Memorial in Hamilton Square Birkenhead.
When he died he left his wife Mary Beatrice, and five children.
In March 1918, seven months after his death, Thomas’ sixth child Edward was born. Thomas never saw his son and Edward never knew his father
Thomas' photograph and research by Chris Booth