2nd Lt
Thomas Samuel Vesey Stoney

Information about birth

Date of birth:
23/08/1898
Place of birth:
Rosturk Castle, County Mayo, Ireland

General information

Profession:
High School Student

Army information

Country:
Ireland
Force:
British Expeditionary Force
Rank:
Second Lieutenant
Service number:
/
Units:
 —  Irish Guards, 1st Bn.  (Last known unit)

Information about death

Date of death:
09/10/1917
Place of death:
Egypt House, Belgium
Cause of death:
Killed in action (K.I.A.)
Age:
19

Memorial

Tyne Cot Memorial
Panel: 10

Distinctions and medals 2

Points of interest 1

#1 Place of birth

My story

Thomas Samuel Vesey Stoney was born in the summer of 1898 at Rosturk Castle in County Mayo, Ireland. He was educated at St Claire in Walmer, Kent and later at Harrow, where he was head of his house. Thomas enlisted in 1916 and was promoted to second lieutenant in January 1917. He served with the 1st Irish Guards, part of the 1st Guards Brigade, of the Guards Division in Flanders from 20 September 1917. Thomas, aged 19, was killed in action on 9 October 1917. Not even a month after he had arrived at the front.

On the 9th the Guards Division advanced in the direction of the Houthulst Forest from positions along the Broembeek stream. The 2nd Grenadier Guards were the first to advance on the right. They crossed the stream at 5.20 a.m. More than an hour later they were followed by the 1st Irish Guards. When the Battalion had crossed the Broembeek quagmire they formed up and moved on.

By 8.20 a.m. the Irish Guards moved through the 2nd Grenadiers, who had captured the second objective at Vee Bend. Half an hour later Thomas’ Battalion advanced to the final objective near Les 5 Chemins and Angle Point. The advance of the troops on the right was held up by German defences, exposing the men to cruel flanking fire. Sniper fire from the Houthulst Forest caused further casualties. Notwithstanding the withering fire, the Battalion captured the fortified farm at Egypt House and cleared the Brickfield, which was defended stoutly. The advance was never checked and the Irish Guards consolidated their final objective. During the consolidation the sniper fire from the Houthulst Forest intensified resulting in heavy casualties to officers.

Thomas, only 19, was killed in action during the attack on the Egypt House area. Thomas has no known grave and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

Files 1

Sources 4

Ancestry
https://www.ancestry.com/
Further reference
CWGC
https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/826519/stoney,-/
Sources used
The long long trail
http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/
Sources used
War Diaries
http://www.nmarchive.com/
Further reference