THOMAS O'BRIEN
Rifleman S/9128
The Prince Consorts Own Rifle Brigade
Killed in action - 27th February 1916
Thomas and his two sisters Mary and Catherine O'Brien were the children of Thomas and Mary O'Brien. Thomas was born circa 1895 at New Whittington. His two sisters were older than him; Mary was born in 1891 and Catherine in 1892.
Mr & Mrs O'Brien....
Mr & Mrs O'Brien....
Thomas snr was born to Irish parents John and Mary O'Brien in Chesterfield on 20th June 1865. The O'Brien family lived in the Whittington area and Thomas found himself employment with the railways. He worked his way up the ranks from railway stoker in 1891 to railway engine driver by 1901 a prestigious role, he had progressed well in his career.
Mary was born in Ireland sometime around 1865. She died aged only 34 years old in 1899 and was buried at St Bartholomew's Church graveyard on 16th March 1899. Thomas jnr would have been around 4 years old at the time. Leaving Thomas snr with three children under the age of 8 years old this would be a terrible blow to the family.
A new start....
Thomas snr remarried in 1900, his new wife was 14 years his junior, born in 1880 her name was Alice Gertrude Needham. Alice was 20 years old when she married Thomas snr; she became stepmother to three young children. That same year Alice gave birth to a son named William.
On the 1901 census Thomas jnr aged 6 years old, lived with his father and new step mother Alice. Mary and Catherine his sister were 10 and 8 years old respectively and little baby William was 9 months old. The O'Brien family were living at 16 Bamford Street, New Whittington. Baby William sadly may have died that same year or the year later (death certificate would be needed to confirm which entry is correct).
Thomas' childhood....
It appears that Thomas may have had a rather unsettled childhood. His father and his step mother were the topic of gossip in 1903 when they appeared for three consecutive weeks in the newspaper; the Derbyshire Times.
The first article on 18th March 1903 tells how Thomas snr complained to the police after Alice had been "very violent and threatened to murder all in the home. She ill-used his daughter Mary who was a child by his first wife. She threatened also to cut the girls throat with a razor". Poor little Mary would be around 12 years old at this time; she was called as a witness and told how "her stepmother had frequently
ill -used her and struck her with a stick, leaving black and blue marks on her body". In her defence Alice told of the cruelty to her by Thomas snr, her mother Mrs Needham was called and told that Alice would not have married Thomas if he had "not got her into trouble".
The two further articles tell a story of an unhappy marriage, Thomas and Alice both took out a complaint against each other. Thomas snr told how he arrived home one evening to find two men leaving via the back door. He was asked "Can you bring evidence to prove how your wife has been carrying on?" to which he replied "Yes my child first told me. I can bring witnesses. It's the regular talk of New Whittington".
The week later Alice asked for a separation order, stating "her husband had turned her out of the house in all sorts of weather and repeatedly struck her". Thomas snr's reply was "I've been a good husband to you. There's not been a better husband in New Whittington than me". The judge agreed to allow a separation order, so long as Thomas snr paid Alice 5 shillings weekly maintenance.
1911....
How long the O'Brien family were at odds is not known however there appears to be a truce; Thomas snr and Alice were still living together at the time of the 1911 census. They were residing at 116 Crown Yard, New Whittington. Their were three children from this marriage; Annie born 1902, Margaret born 1909 and baby John aged only 5 months old.
Thomas jnr was still living with his father and stepmother. He was aged 16 years old by now and worked as a colliery pit bank labourer. Thomas' siblings Mary and Catherine were not recorded as living with the O'Brien family.
I am unable to locate Mary on the 1911 census but Catherine was working as a domestic servant at Creswell. She was employed by Alfred Haywood who was a sweet confectioner.
Thomas' war....
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| Entry from war diary, showing T O'Brien D Coy |
Thomas enlisted on 18th March 1915 at Southend on Sea, he was aged 20 years and 1 month old. He joined the 15th service battalion of the Rifle Brigade - the Prince Own Consorts Rifle Brigade. He was attached to the 11th Battalion Rifle Brigade, Rifleman S/9128, D Coy.
His address at the time was 85 South Street, New Whittington. His next of kin was noted as Mr Thomas O'Brien (father) of 50 High Street, New Whittington.
Thomas was a young man of 5ft 5 inches height, he had blue eyes and light brown hair and his religion was Roman Catholic.
His address at the time was 85 South Street, New Whittington. His next of kin was noted as Mr Thomas O'Brien (father) of 50 High Street, New Whittington.
Thomas was a young man of 5ft 5 inches height, he had blue eyes and light brown hair and his religion was Roman Catholic.
Thomas would undertake his basic training before joining the British Expeditionary Force (B.E.F) on 17th September 1915. The 11th Battalion had already joined the theatre of war, landing in Boulogne on 22nd July 1915. In those early days there were not enough rifles for the men to train with, the war dairy tells how the men would share the rifles, taking their turn at a practise shot. On 19th September at 4pm the war diary states "Draft of 30 other ranks arrived from 15th Btn Rifle Brigade".
The timing of Thomas' entry was at a very crucial time; the Battle of Loos commenced on 25th September 1915. At the time the 11th Battalion were in reserve at Laventie, they remained there until December when they moved back to the village of Sailly for Christmas. Little would the men know but on that Christmas Day of 1915 in the front line trenches near to Laventie the B.E.F were living the true meaning of Christmas; the men were shouting over to each other from the trenches and eventually the two sides united in no man's land and showed peace to each other. The accounts of two men present state that they played a game of football, but a British Sergeant Major became aware of the events and ordered the B.E.F to return to the trenches "We are here to kill the Hun, not make friends with him".
Exceptional duty....
On 31st October 1915 the following men belonging to the 11th Battalion Rifle Brigade were awarded medals for their exceptional conduct -
The timing of Thomas' entry was at a very crucial time; the Battle of Loos commenced on 25th September 1915. At the time the 11th Battalion were in reserve at Laventie, they remained there until December when they moved back to the village of Sailly for Christmas. Little would the men know but on that Christmas Day of 1915 in the front line trenches near to Laventie the B.E.F were living the true meaning of Christmas; the men were shouting over to each other from the trenches and eventually the two sides united in no man's land and showed peace to each other. The accounts of two men present state that they played a game of football, but a British Sergeant Major became aware of the events and ordered the B.E.F to return to the trenches "We are here to kill the Hun, not make friends with him".
Exceptional duty....
On 31st October 1915 the following men belonging to the 11th Battalion Rifle Brigade were awarded medals for their exceptional conduct -
Captain G H Gilbey - Military Cross
Sergeant M Toole & Rifleman A Holmes -
Distinguished Conduct Medal
"For gallantry rescuing comrades of a mine full of gas"
2nd Lieut A L Cope - Military Cross
Rifleman G Judkins - Distinguished Conduct Medal
"For gallant offensive action when on patrol"
1916 dawned....
At the beginning of 1916 the 11th Battalion Rifle Brigade were moved on to the Ypres Salient. In the early days of February 1916 they were camped at Poperinghe until the night of 13th February when they marched to the train station. The men had not been marching long when they were bombed by a German aeroplane; luckily the bombs fell short about 200 yards away from the men. Whilst they began to board the train the station was also being attacked by the German pilots. The journey commenced, at a slow pace they eventually arrived at Asylum from where they marched to Ypres. Despite the days bombardment only one soldier belonging to the 11th Battalion was injured.
On 22nd February 1916 Thomas and his comrades relived the 2nd York's and Lancashire Regiment in the trenches. For the next few days work was carried out on the front trenches "joining up posts and reclaiming trench wiring", however snow fell and the artillery action on both sides was strong.
On the day of 27th February the battalion was successful to cut the wire, however the Germans soon retaliated and responded using heavy artillery fire at the garrison; the result was "heavy casualties". Later that day the battalion were relieved by the 10th Battalion Rifle Brigade.
On 22nd February 1916 Thomas and his comrades relived the 2nd York's and Lancashire Regiment in the trenches. For the next few days work was carried out on the front trenches "joining up posts and reclaiming trench wiring", however snow fell and the artillery action on both sides was strong.
On the day of 27th February the battalion was successful to cut the wire, however the Germans soon retaliated and responded using heavy artillery fire at the garrison; the result was "heavy casualties". Later that day the battalion were relieved by the 10th Battalion Rifle Brigade.
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| Daily casualty record 11th Battalion Rifle Brigade |
Rifleman T O'Brien S/9128 was killed in action on 27th February 1916. His fellow comrades also fell on that day; Corporal S Lillywhite and Rifleman J Willows.
Thomas was buried at Essex Farm Cemetery in Belgium. He has a simple headstone with a cross and his name and rank. His grave reference is I.T.1.
Thomas was awarded the British War Medal, Victory Medal and 15 Star for his service.
Thomas' fiancée....
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| Register of soldiers effects - entry for Thomas O'Brien
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The "register of soldiers effect's" is a record of whom the deceased soldiers money owing was awarded. It was most often given to the widow of the soldier, or in the case that the soldier was single then the parents or the siblings. In Thomas' case however, he has nominated his fiancé to be the beneficiary.
He also wrote his soldiers will before he went off to join the B.E.F. In this will he leaves his possessions to Miss M Foster of 85 South Street, New Whittington (the same address Thomas had given for his home address when he enlisted in 1915).
Miss Mary Agnes Foster was a local girl, born in New Whittington in December 1892. She was the daughter of Ralph Foster who was also employed as an engine driver on the railways. The family moved to the neighbouring village and lived on Traffic Terrace in Barrow Hill.
He also wrote his soldiers will before he went off to join the B.E.F. In this will he leaves his possessions to Miss M Foster of 85 South Street, New Whittington (the same address Thomas had given for his home address when he enlisted in 1915).
Miss Mary Agnes Foster was a local girl, born in New Whittington in December 1892. She was the daughter of Ralph Foster who was also employed as an engine driver on the railways. The family moved to the neighbouring village and lived on Traffic Terrace in Barrow Hill.
Poor Mary would only be around 23 years old when she found herself with the heart breaking news that her beloved fiancé Thomas had been killed whilst serving his King and Country. Thankfully, Mary did find happiness again and married Fred Whitehead in 1918. They went on to have a son and a daughter; Fred and Phyllis. On the 1939 register Mary and her family are living at 142 South Street, New Whittington. She died a year later in 1940 aged 47 years old.
Mary would be remembered by locals as the lady who ran the sweet shop in New Whittington. Her obituary also states that she had two sons and one daughter; a second son may have been born in 1938.
Life went on....
Thomas O'Brien snr remained in the area, he can be found on the 1939 register living in the Markham Municipal Hostel on Hipper Street South, in the centre of Chesterfield. He was recorded as a general labourer now, not a locomotive engine driver. Mary would be remembered by locals as the lady who ran the sweet shop in New Whittington. Her obituary also states that she had two sons and one daughter; a second son may have been born in 1938.
Life went on....
Alice Gertrude the second wife of Thomas died in 1915 aged just 36 years old.
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| Siblings of Rifleman T O'Brien |
Mary O'Brien married Henry C Herbert in 1915. The couple had at least one son and one daughter; Joan in 1916 and Arthur in 1920. What became of Mary and her family after this date is unknown.
Catherine O'Brien married Arthur Lawson in 1923 whilst living in Doncaster. She had three daughters; Winfred, Mary and Margaret.
In 1939 she was living at 40 Devonshire Road with her husband and two youngest daughters. Winfred was married now to Alan Taylor and lived close by at 50 High Street.
Catherine
Annie O'Brien married George Weston in 1925. George was a railway engine driver just like her father. In 1939 the family were living at 38 St Johns Road, Staveley. Annie died in 1989 aged 86 years old.
Margaret O'Brien may have married Harry Lawson in 1928 at Easington, Durham however this would need further clarification.
In 1939 she was living at 40 Devonshire Road with her husband and two youngest daughters. Winfred was married now to Alan Taylor and lived close by at 50 High Street.
Catherine
Annie O'Brien married George Weston in 1925. George was a railway engine driver just like her father. In 1939 the family were living at 38 St Johns Road, Staveley. Annie died in 1989 aged 86 years old.
Margaret O'Brien may have married Harry Lawson in 1928 at Easington, Durham however this would need further clarification.
Sarah O'Brien married Charles Watson at St Patricks Roman Catholic Church in New Whittington. She was given away by her brother in law Mr George Weston and she wore a white satin beaute dress, with veil and shoes to match. She carried a bouquet of pink carnations. The younger bridesmaids were nieces of Sarah; Miss D Weston and Miss M Lawson wore pink ankle length crepe dresses and carried posies of pink carnations. The marriage was announced in the Derbyshire Times 1st October 1937, page 27.
Winifred Fowkes O'Brien was born on 2nd April 1917. I have not purchased a birth certificate for Winifred to clarify who her mother was. Winifred would have never known her half brother Thomas, who had been killed in the Great War, but it is likely that she would have been raised knowing his heroic story and possibly seeing his photograph on the mantelpiece each day.
Winifred Fowkes O'Brien was born on 2nd April 1917. I have not purchased a birth certificate for Winifred to clarify who her mother was. Winifred would have never known her half brother Thomas, who had been killed in the Great War, but it is likely that she would have been raised knowing his heroic story and possibly seeing his photograph on the mantelpiece each day.
Winifred married Kenneth Taylor in 1938. On the 1939 Register Winifred and Kenneth were living in the O'Brien family home at 50 High Street, New Whittington. Kenneth was employed as an iron foundry worker.
Winifred died in 1989 aged 72 years old.
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If you may be connected to this family or have any further information on Thomas O'Brien or his family please do either leave comments via the pen icon below or drop me an email.
I hope that I have not given details of living persons, if so please advise and I will remove immediately.
Please note all information has been taken from online indexes and sources. Due to the sheer numbers of people to be researched I am unable to purchase vital event certificates to confirm my research.
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Census
Parish registers
Medal rolls
Soldiers who died in the Great war
Register of soldiers effects
Newspaper articles - Derbyshire
Times, Derby Courier
Derbyshire Times - 18th March 1903 page 5, 25th March 1903 page 5 and 28th March 1903 page 7.
Obituary for Thomas O'Brien - Derbyshire Courier 11th March 1916 page and 14th March 1903 page 1.
CWGC http://www.cwgc.org
Picture of Rifle Brigade insignia badge via Wikipadia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rifle_Brigade_(Prince_Consort%27s_Own)
11th Battalion Rifle Brigade War Diary - piece 2116, 59th Brigade, 20th light Division July 1915 - May 1919.
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