Thomas Robert Brady

Thomas Robert was born Robert Thomas Brady in Longford 15 May 1896, the son of a mounted Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) sergeant; his family moved to Tralee when he was a child and lived there for many years.

Sjt Brady enlisted in Belfast Co. Antrim. After initially serving with the 19th R.I.R he transferred to the 14th (Young Citizens) Battalion, which was originally raised in Belfast from the Belfast Volunteers and formed part of the 36th (Ulster) Division. 

Extract from the Limerick Chronicle, June, 1917:

Sergeant T R Brady. Intimation has been received by Mr R C Brady... that his son, Sergeant Thomas R Brady, 14th Royal Irish Rifles, was killed in action at Wystchaete, on the 7th instant. The gallant soldier had only been a fortnight at the front when he fell. He was only in his twenty first year, and prior to joining the army he was employed as a motor mechanic at Messrs Christy's, George Street, where he was very popular with his employees, who with a large circle of friends mourn his death.

Thomas was one of six Longford men who died on the opening day of the Battle of Messines on the 7 June 1917, where the 16th (Irish) Division and 36th (Ulster) Division fought side-by-side. He died less than one month after his 21st birthday.

Link to CWGC entry; link to Civil Record of birth;