Thomas Hyland

Thomas was born in Granard 28 April 1886, where his mother ran a boarding house; Thomas's father Patrick was a tinsmith.

Pte Hyland initially enlisted in Mullingar in 1905 serving in India, and rejoined the colours in August 1914. Hyland's younger brother Laurence also served, but died in the war. Thomas himself was a prisoner of war for a period in Limburg Germany and Gefangenen Lager. The story of his detainment was covered in the War Notes Longford Leader of the 7 July 1915 when their chaplain Rev. Fr. Crotty (titled Irischer Kaplan) wrote the following to Bishop Hoare of Ardagh & Clonmacnois, which was reproduced in the Longford Leader's War Notes on the 3 July 1915 under the subheadings: 'Longford Prisoners of War in Germany - Striking Testimony to the Religious Fervour of Irish Prisoners - The Good Catholic Soldiers'. He likely was taken around October 1914 as there were reports that he died on the 21 October 1914, and his details are included in the Register of Soldiers' Effects, completed after the death of a serviceman; there is an update in red noting that Hyland was "reported alive and a prisoner of war".

After the war Thomas married Anne (formerly Milne) in 1918, and worked as a telephone labourer.

Link to Civil birth record; Longford Leader, Saturday 3 July 1915; Our War Notes;