Add Information to Record of a Person who served during the Great War on The Wartime Memories Project Website
Add Information to Record of a Person who served during the Great War on The Wartime Memories Project Website
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233921
Pte. Thomas Hagan
British Army 7th Battalion West Riding Regiment
from:37 Miners St, Oldham, Lancs
(d.13th July 1916)
Thomas Hagan was my Great Grandmother's brother. He was the first generation of Hagans born in Oldham, Lancashire after his father came over from Ireland for work. Most of his family found employment in the textile industry in Lancashire.
Thomas was the first of 3 brothers to join the army during the war years. He joined the 1/7th Battalion, West Riding Regiment in November 1914, aged 20, in Milnsbridge, Yorkshire. His brother James would follow in 1915 and thereafter the youngest of the family, Frank.
After initial training the Regiment was deployed to France, from Folkestone, on 15 April 1916, arriving at Boulogne.
Records show he was punished a few times for drunken and rowdy behaviour soon after arriving in France but he would soon be in action.
He fought in the Battle of the Somme and was shot in the knee, on the 5th July 1916.
Repatriated to the general hospital in Colchester, he arrived on the 11th July but unfortunately died of his wounds 2 days later, on the 13 July 1916.
Thomas posthumously received the Star and Victory medals and is buried in Colchester cemetery.