Private Thomas Madden.
PO/15323 2nd Royal Marine Light Infantry, Royal Naval Division.
Died of Wounds 30th April 1917, aged 26.
Thomas was born 26 Dec 1890 in Leigh, Lancs. The son of John Madden and Mary Elizabeth Ruffley.
In the 1901 census the family lived at 10 Alicks Fold, Westhoughton, Lancs. John 30 born in Ireland, Mary E 26 born in Lowton, Lancs, Thomas 9, Mary 8, Michael 6, Norah 4, Willie 2 all born in Leigh, Lancs.
Thomas enlisted in the Royal Marine Light Infantry on the 17th July 1908.
From the Burnley Express dated 19th May 1917: FOUGHT ON SEA AND LAND.
The death took place on April 30th, in a general hospital in France, from a gunshot wound in the head of Private Thomas Madden, 15323 of the Royal Marines. His former home was at 126 Sandygate and he was a single man 26 years of age. A Roman Catholic he attended St Mary's church.
When only 17 years of age he joined the Royal Marines and serving on board various ships had before the war broke out being all over the British Isles. Among the vessels on which he has been are the Bellerophon, King Edward VII, Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth, and The Iron Duke. He served on the sea up to a year and 9 months ago commerce and in addition to having been out to Egypt was in the first Big Naval battle in the North Sea, when the Bluecher was sunk.
It will be remembered that a Royal Marine Force was formed for service on land and for this Private Madden volunteered, and he was transferred about 21 months ago. He had been in the Somme and Ancre battles, and has been killed in the present push. He was home last Christmas following an attack of dysentery. In all his 9 years’ experience on land and sea he had, till his fatal wound never been injured. He is the eldest of 12 children and before joining the Royal Naval forces was a drawer at Rowley Pit.
Lived at 126 Sandygate.
Thomas was buried in Etaples Military Cemetery, France: Grave Ref; XVIII.E.4. The son of Mrs Elizabeth Madden, 22 Lisbon St, Burnley.