Ref ID: 1726
Name
Thomas Briggs
Description
Newspaper Photograph of Rifleman Thomas Briggs.
Life Story
Name: Thomas Briggs.
Service Number: 7385.
Rank: Rifleman.
Battalion: 1st Battalion.
Regiment: Royal Irish Rifles.
Born: Shankill, County Antrim.
Died: 10th March 1916.
Address: 1 Lawnbrook Avenue, Belfast
.
Thomas Briggs lived with his parents, Thomas and Mary Briggs , his wife Sarah and children at 1 Lawnbrook Avenue, Shankill Road, Belfast.
The 1901 Ireland Census has Thomas living at 34 Carnan Street, Shankill Road, Belfast, with his mother, father, occupation, Flax Rougher, brother Joseph, 12 years, and two sisters, Maria, 10 years and Margaret Jane, 8 years.
The 1911 Ireland Census has Thomas living in 26 Ambleside Street, Shankill Road, Belfast with his mother, father, Flax Dresser, sisters Margaret Jane, 18 years, Linen Trade, Mary, 9 years, and brother Joseph, Flax Dresser. Thomas occupation at this time is shown as Plumber.
Thomas married Sarah Briggs, Nee Fullerton, on the 2nd September 1914 and they went on to have two children. Maria born 11th of September 1914 and Thomas born 12th of January 1916.
Prior to enlisting Thomas was employed by Workman Clark Co LTD, Belfast.
Thomas joined the Royal Irish Rifles.
He was posted as part of the British Expeditionary Force to France on the 3rd June 1915.
Thomas Briggs was a Rifleman within A Company 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles, temporarily attached to the Royal Engineers, when he Died Of Wounds in France on the 10th March 1916 aged 21 years.
A local newspaper states.
Rifleman Thomas Briggs, Royal Irish Rifles, temporarily attached to the Royal Engineers, has died of wounds received in action. His parents reside at 1 Lawnbrook Avenue, Belfast. He was formerly a plumber, employed by Messrs Workman, Clark And Co LTD.
A signed Will left his Property and Effects to his widow Sarah.
His Soldiers Effects were also left to his widow Sarah.
A Dependants Pension Form shows his widow Sarah, born 22nd May 1895, as claimant also.
Thomas Briggs widow Sarah remarried Rifleman 5145 Edward Rafferty on the 2nd of February 1918 and they lived at 1 Paris Street, Shankill Road, Belfast.
Thomas received the British War Medal, Victory Medal and 1914-1915 Star.
He is Remembered at Sailly-sur-la-Lys Canadian Cemetery, France.
To Remember Is To Honour
.
Theme
Shankill Roll of Honour
Date
1916
Classification
Photograph, Photograph, Newspaper - Belfast Telegraph
