Private Thomas Callaghan.

203160 1/4th Royal Scots Fusiliers.

Killed in Action 26th August 1918. Aged 33.

(Courtesy of his great grandson Tom Harrison).

Thomas was born in Rawtenstall, Lancs about 1884, the son of Mary Callaghan.

In the 1891 census the family were living at 3 Spring Terrace Back, Rawtenstall. The family consisted of, Mary 41 widow, Dennis 21, Patrick 19, John 15, Winifred 12, Mary 9, Thomas 7 and Martin 4.

In the 1901 census Thomas was living at 16 Back Reads Buildings, Rawtenstall with his widowed mother Mary 51, sisters Mary 19 and Annie * and brother Martin 14.

In the 1911 census Thomas 26, Margaret 26 and daughter Mary 4 were living at 15 Cow Lane Burnley. They had had 3 children but only Mary had survived.

1914 Enlistment: Thomas tried to join the East Lancashire Regt in Burnley on the 26^th Aug 1914 ( ironically this was the same date he was killed) but was discharged 13^th Oct the same year as being medically unfit and unlikely to become an efficient solder. He then tried to join the Army Service Corps on the 21^st Dec 1914 in Nelson whether he was successful or not I cannot say but he obviously did join the Royal Scots Fusiliers. His service record tell us he married Margaret Herrighty on the 3^rd Feb 1906, and at the time of his attempt to join the East Lancashires they had 3 children, Mary born 26^th May 1906 in Rawtenstall, Thomas born 28^th Oct 1911 and Martin born 22^nd Feb 1913, both in Burnley.

From the Burnley Express dated 21 Sept 1918: IN FROM AUGUST 1914.

Pte. Thomas Callaghan (33), 203160, Royal Scottish Fusiliers, of 24 Argyle St, Burnley, was killed in action in France on Aug 26^th. He enlisted on Aug 8^th, 1914 and had seen a long period of service. A widow and 4 children are left. Before the war Pte. Callaghan was a collier at Clifton Pit. He was connected with St Mary’s R.C. Church. It appears he was killed by a sniper.

Thomas lived at 24 Argyle St., Burnley.

Thomas was buried in Tilloy British cemetery, France: Grave Ref: X.B.24.