James Moloney

James was born in Co. Tipperary, c. 1877, son of John Moloney, a publican. According to his obituary in The Longford Leader (16 July 1921), he was sent to Longford while serving in the army. He married Mary Anne Hynes, a native of Longford town, in St Mel's Cathedral on 4 May 1897. James served in the Boer War (1899-1902), though there is nothing specific known about this. He was a labourer, working on the railway, at the time of the 1911 census. 

During the Great War, James served on the Western Front, initially in the Royal Field Artillery. Later, he was transferred to the Labour Corps. This was probably due to injury. The Leader reported that he was gassed and his transfer was likely because of it. The obituary also stated that he had lung complications resulting in a long illness that caused his death. The cause of death on his death certificate was carcinoma (cancer) of the pharynx (the area behind the mouth and nasal cavity), which he had for a year. However, an index card relating to his pension states that he had 'Pul. TB' - pulmonary TB.

Civil record of death; link to Civil Record of Marriage (ensure web link ends in .pdf);  Link to notice of death in Longford Leader, July 1921 'Well known veteran dead';