Pte
Thomas Curran
Information about birth
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Date of birth: 05/05/1883 |
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Place of birth: Liverpool, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom |
General information
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Profession: Labourer |
Army information
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Country: England, United Kingdom |
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Force: British Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Private |
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Service number: 40408 |
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Enlistment place: Manchester, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom |
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Units: — Lancashire Fusiliers, 1/5th Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 06/09/1917 |
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Place of death: Borry Farm, Zonnebeke, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 34 |
Memorial
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Tyne Cot Memorial Panel: 54-60 |
Distinctions and medals 2
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 3
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Enlistment place | ||
| #3 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Thomas Curran was the son of Charlotte and Hugh Curran. He was born around 1883 in Liverpool, Lancashire. Before the war, he worked as a labourer and in 1903, he married Catherine Bagley. Thomas enlisted in Manchester and was part of the 1/5th Lancashire Fusiliers (125th Brigade, 42nd (East Lancashire) Division).
Thomas died on 6 September 1917 at the Battle of Passchendaele. The 1/5th Lancashire Fusiliers took part that day in attacks on Iberian, Beck House and Borry Farm. At 7.15am, a heavy bombardment of Borry Farm preceded the attack. 15 minutes later, two companies of the 1/5th Lancashire Fusiliers followed the creeping barrage while attacking Borry Farm, while the 1/6th Lancashire Fusiliers attacked Beck House and Iberian. Heavy machine-gun fire from Vampir and south of Borry Farm, however, caused delays after 150 yards. Heavy counterattacks followed at 10.45am, 7.30pm and 11.10pm. The counterattack at 7.30pm caused the left flank of the 1/5th Lancashire Fusiliers, which was unprotected, to retreat. The right flank, however, was able to consolidate their positions in front of Borry Farm.
Thomas went missing during this actions on 6 September 1917. His body was not found or identified after the war. His name is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.
Thomas died on 6 September 1917 at the Battle of Passchendaele. The 1/5th Lancashire Fusiliers took part that day in attacks on Iberian, Beck House and Borry Farm. At 7.15am, a heavy bombardment of Borry Farm preceded the attack. 15 minutes later, two companies of the 1/5th Lancashire Fusiliers followed the creeping barrage while attacking Borry Farm, while the 1/6th Lancashire Fusiliers attacked Beck House and Iberian. Heavy machine-gun fire from Vampir and south of Borry Farm, however, caused delays after 150 yards. Heavy counterattacks followed at 10.45am, 7.30pm and 11.10pm. The counterattack at 7.30pm caused the left flank of the 1/5th Lancashire Fusiliers, which was unprotected, to retreat. The right flank, however, was able to consolidate their positions in front of Borry Farm.
Thomas went missing during this actions on 6 September 1917. His body was not found or identified after the war. His name is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.
Sources 6
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1/5 Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers. (The National Archives, KEW (TNA), WO 95/2654/2). https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used |
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British Army World War I Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920 (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), WO 372). https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used |
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Census Returns of England and Wales, 1891 (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), RG12). https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used |
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Census Returns of England and Wales. 1901 (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), RG13). https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used |
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Liverpool, England, Catholic Baptisms, 1741-1919 Sources used |
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Manchester, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1930 (Manchester City Council, MFPR 606) http://ancestry.com Sources used |
More information 3
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/842139 |
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Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=77a51557-2118-4a2e-ab2c-e2b4fe763f04 |
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Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/1060850 |