Thomas O'Donnell likeness

Thomas O'Donnell cap badgePrivate Thomas O'Donnell

11th (Service) Battalion Highland Light Infantry
Service No: 632

Thomas O'Donnell grave

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Personal details

Family Information

Husband of Mary O'Donnell (27/04/1895 - ) of 3 Carrick St, Coatbridge, Father of John O'Donnell born 23/07/1914 and Ellen O'Donnell born 18/10/1915. Ellen was born 3 months after her father died. Thomas' Pension was awarded to his wife Mary of 1a/6 Hutton St, Coatbridge on the 31/01/1916. Their 2 children are also listed. Mary remarried and became Mrs Mary McKeever.

Born / Resided

Dunipace, Stirlingshire / 3 Carrick St, Coatbridge

Died

Killed in Action on the 17/07/1915 by the bursting of a shell in his trench near Festubert

Enlisted

Coatbridge 1914

Employed

Tube Worker in the British Tube Works

Age

28

Buried / Remembered

Le Touret Military Cemetery (II. G. 23), Richebourg-L'Avoue, France

Cemetery / Memorial Information

The Cemetery was begun by the Indian Corps (and in particular by the 2nd Leicesters) in November, 1914, and it was used continuously by Field Ambulances and fighting units until March, 1918. It passed into German hands in April, 1918, and after its recapture a few further burials were made in Plot IV in September and October. The grave of one Officer of the London Regiment was brought in in 1925 from a position on the Estaires-La Bassee road near "Port Arthur", and the 264 Portuguese graves of March, 1917 and April, 1919 were removed to Richebourg-L'Avoue Portuguese National Cemetery after the Armistice. There are now over 900, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. The graves of three men of the King's Liverpool Regiment, which were destroyed by shell fire, are now represented by special headstones.

Additional Information

Thomas and the Battalion arrived at Boulogne on the 13/05/1915 and were part of the 28th Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division. Thomas was killed by a bursting shell in his trench. On the 26/06/1915 orders were received to relieve the 7th Division in the line near Festubert, and accordingly the 26th and 27th Brigades took over the front line on the nights of the 1st and 2nd July. The 28th Brigade was in reserve. This was the first occasion on which the Division was responsible for a section of the front line, which it held east of Festubert until the 18th August, and during this period all ranks became acquainted with the trials of trench warfare. See Newspaper clipping for letter to Thomas' wife from Lieutenant James D Russell. According to Lieutenant Russell Thomas was "one of my best men, always willing and ready to do his duty". Thomas is also remembered on the Stewarts and Lloyds Roll of Honour and on the Stirling War Memorial x 2 (see photos) and in the St. Augustine's Parish (book) Roll of Honour. See photos for Thomas' Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clipping, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls x 2, another photo of Thomas' Grave, Le Touret Military Cemetery, Thomas' Pension Records x 2 and the Highland Light Infantry Cap Badge.

Photos
Thomas O'Donnell Medal Index CardThomas O'Donnell newspaper clippingThomas O'Donnell newspaper clippingThomas O'Donnell newspaper clippingThomas O'Donnell remembered at homeThomas O'Donnell remembered at homeThomas O'Donnell remembered at homeThomas O'Donnell remembered at homeThomas O'Donnell additional photoThomas O'Donnell additional photoThomas O'Donnell additional photoThomas O'Donnell additional photoThomas O'Donnell additional photoThomas O'Donnell additional photoThomas O'Donnell additional photoThomas O'Donnell additional photo

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