Private Thomas O'Hara. 

5873 8th East Lancashire Regiment.

Killed in Action 15th July 1916, aged 31.

Thomas was born in the March quarter of 1885, Burnley, the son of John O’Hara and Mary Rowan. In the 1891 census his large family lived at 8 Park Lane, Burnley. John 50 was born in Ireland, Mary 43, Patrick 23 spinner, Ellen 19 binder, Mary 18 spinner, James 16 spinner, Bridget 14, John 12, Hugh 9, Thomas 6, Martin 3 and Harriet 9 months. All were born in Burnley and this large family was residing in 3 rooms.

The family was still living at Park Lane in the 1901 census, John now a widower 56, Martin 13, Harriet 9, Bridget 22, Ellen 28 and Thomas 16.

Thomas and his siblings still lived at 8 Park Lane, in the 1911 census. No mention of his father. Bridget 33, Thomas 26, Martin 22, Harriet 21, John 6 and Michael 4 both grandsons of John.

From The Express and Advertiser dated 21st October 1916: SERVED EIGHT YEARS WITH EAST LANCS. BURNLEY RESERVIST KILLED.

The death in Action is officially announced of Private Thomas O'Hara 5873, of the East Lancashire Regiment on July 15th. The news is sent by his brother who is also with the forces. Private T O'Hara whose sister lives at 8 Park Lane was a reservist, having served 8 years with the first East Lancashire Regiment and 5 years on the reserve.  At the very outbreak of the war he reported to Preston Barracks and was told that he was time expired. He thereupon immediately joined Kitchener's army, and was attached to a battalion of his old regiment. He went out early in 1915, and always wrote cheery letters home. His last letter was received at the beginning of July, and he then had great faith in coming home on a few days leave, but did not get it. He was a member of St. Mary's RC Church. Private O'Hara has five other brothers in the service. One has been in France since August 1914, and another has been wounded and invalided home from Salonika.  The others are in various parts of the country. A brother-in-law and three nephews are also serving in France. He was a single man aged 31 and was a station Outporter when called up. A remarkable fact is that he was the youngest but one of 15 Brothers out of a family of 19. The parents are both dead.

 From The Express and Advertiser dated 11th November 1916: DEAD SOLDIERS SOLDIER RELATIVES. REMARKABLE FAMILY RECORD.

A few weeks ago we published the news of the death of Private Thomas O'Hara of Park Lane, Bridge Street Burnley, but unfortunately there was no portrait of him in existence. Thomas O'Hara 5873, was a reservist, having served 8 years with the first East Lancashire Regiment and 5 years on the reserve. At the very outbreak of the war he reported at Preston Barracks and was told that he was time expired. He there upon immediately joined Kitchener's army and was attached to a battalion of his old regiment. He went out early in 1915. His last letter was received at the beginning of July. He was a member of St. Mary's RC Church. Private O'Hara was a single man aged 31. A remarkable fact is that he was the youngest but one of 15 Brothers out of a family of 19. The parents are both dead.

 Some particulars of the rest of the family serving will be interesting. His brother John aged 37, of the Lancashire Fusiliers, enlisted in the army in 1898 and at that time of the Boer War was stationed at Gibraltar. Called up as a reservist at the beginning of the war he has been home ones suffering from frostbite. Finally he came home from Salonika as a time expired man and is now at Manchester on munition work. He is married with 5 children.

Hugh O'Hara now with the East Lancs is at the front, had been in the militia in which he was a full sergeant. He was in the Boer War and on the present war breaking out, he joined Kitchener's Army in September 1914. He has been wounded slightly in the shoulder but was not sent home fullstop he was a maltster at Kirby Brewery and is 34 years of age, married with 5 Children.

Driver Martin O'Hara of the A.S.C, has been in France since the Beginning. He joined the army in 1905, and was called up on reserve. He is 28 years of age and has been gassed once. In 22 months service he has only been home for a 3 days.

A brother-in-law of the O'Hara's is Lance Corporal McNulty who has altogether 21 year’s service to his credit. He went through the South African campaign with the Manchester's, and was a national reservist when war broke out. Despite his 47 years he is now again in khaki, and is engaged on guard duty at Barry Docks, Wales. He has three sons serving, two of them Sergeants. Sergeant James McNulty 4223, of the 1/4th East Lancashire Regiment is with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force; and Sgt Thomas McNulty, 13100 East Lancashire Regiment, is in France. James joined before war broke out and had only one week to serve at the time so I immediately took on again. He was wounded at Ypres, and was the soldier brought in by drummer Bent when that soldier got the V.C. Private Joseph McNulty the youngest, and listed at the early age of 15, and was accordingly recalled. He has now been serving again 12 months, but has been sent home till he is 18, and is now called up.

Thomas left his effects to his sisters, Bridget, Harriet, Ellen Fox and Mary McNulty and brothers Patrick, Martin, John, Hugh and James.

Thomas lived at 8 Park Lane Burnley.

 Thomas is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France: Pier and Face 6C.

Photo courtesy of George Coppock 2024