Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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25051   Private Thomas Crorken
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Dated added: 30/12/2015   Last updated: 10/02/2021
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth: 18/02/1897
Died: 15/03/1918 (Killed in Action)
Age: 21
Summary      
Thomas Crorken was the son of Michael and Margaret Crorken. Thomas was born on 18th February 1897 in Brookeborough, County Fermanagh. The 1911 census lists Thomas as age 14 living with the family at house 4 in Rosemeilan, Cole, County Tyrone. Thomas had left school and like his father, was working as a farm labourer. Thomas was living in Cavans, Fivemiletown when he enlisted in Armagh on 16th November 1916 with the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Following training, Private Thomas Crorken was posted to the 1st Battalion and arrived in France on 23rd May 1917. Private Thomas Crorken was killed in action 15 March 1918. He was 21 years old. Private Crorken has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.
Further Information
Thomas Crorken was the son of Michael and Margaret Crorken. According to GRONI there was a Michael 'Grogan' who married 'Margarite' Kildea on 27th June 1884 in Fermanagh. It is assumed that this is their marriage.
Thomas was born on 18th February 1897 in Brookeborough, County Fermanagh.
There are various spelling of Crorken used throughout the various official documents. It has been decided to use the CWGC version.
The 1901 census lists Thomas as age 4 living with the family at house 4 in Drumnamede, Cross, County Fermanagh. Both his mother and father worked as labourers.
The 1911 census lists Thomas as age 14 living with the family at house 4 in Rosemeilan, Cole, County Tyrone. Thomas had left school and like his father, was working as a farm labourer.
Family: Michael Crorken, Maggie Crorken, John Crorken (born 27th October 1886), Maggie I Crorken (born 16th March 1889), Annie / Mary Crorken (born 11th January 1891), Michael Crorken (12th December 1892), Hugh / Hubert Crorken (born 19th December 1894), Thomas Crorken (born 18th February 1897), Rose Crorken (born 1st October 1901), Catherine Crorken (born 1st October 1901), Joseph Crorken (born 9th June 1905), Patrick Crorken (born 23rd February 1907), Agnes Crorken (born 12th April 1909).
Thomas was living in Cavans, Fivemiletown when he enlisted in Armagh on 16th November 1916 with the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Medal card
Following training, Private Thomas Crorken was posted to the 1st Battalion and arrived in France on 23rd May 1917.
Private Thomas Crorken was killed in action 15 March 1918. He was 21 years old.
Private Crorken has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.
Most of the information here was derived from the book, 'Fivemiletown's Fallen'. Page 63 is devoted to Private Thomas Crorken.
Private Thomas Crorken is commemorated locally on Fivemiletown War Memorial.
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Relevant Dungannon Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Drumnamede, Cross Fivemiletown Census listing in Drumnamede, Cross 54.377010 -7.369239
2 Rosemeilan, Cole Fivemiletown Census listing in Rosemeilan, Cole 54.394653 -7.316453
GRONI References
TYPE - B:Birth M:Marriage D:Death | GRONI | SIBLING: brother or sister | NOTES: spelling inconsistencies, etc.
Date Type Surname First name Relationship GRONI Ref Notes
27/06/1884 M Kildea Margaret Parent M/1884/V1/2609/3/22 Margarite
27/06/1884 M Crorkin Michael Parent M/1884/V1/2609/3/22 Grogan
27/10/1886 B Crorkin John Sibling U/1886/151/1019/8/303
16/03/1889 B Crorkin Margaret Sibling U/1889/151/1019/9/74
11/01/1891 B Crorkin Mary Sibling U/1891/151/1019/9/264
12/12/1892 B Crorkin Michael Sibling U/1893/151/1019/9/496
19/12/1892 B Crorkin Hubert Sibling U/1895/151/1019/10/203
18/02/1897 B Crorkin Thomas Casualty U/1897/151/1019/10/470 Crorkie
01/10/1901 B Crorkin Rose Sibling U/1901/151/1019/11/500 twin
01/10/1901 B Crorkin Mary Sibling U/1901/151/1019/11/499 twin
09/06/1905 B Crorkin Joseph Sibling U/1905/151/1019/12/378
23/02/1907 B Crorkin Patrick Sibling U/1907/151/1019/13/61
12/04/1909 B Crorkin Agnes Sibling U/1909/151/1019/13/282
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 Census lists Crorkan family Lists Thomas as age 4 living with the family at house 4 in Drumnamede, Cross, Fermanagh
2 1911 Census lists Crorkin family Lists Thomas as age 14 living with the family at house 4 in Rosemeilan, Cole, Tyrone
3 National Archives UK Medal Card can be purchased here
Dungannon District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2015-2023