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19450   Lance Corporal Thomas John Williamson M.M.
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Dated added: 30/12/2015   Last updated: 09/01/2022
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 9th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth: 03/02/1896
Died: 21/04/1918 (Died by accident)
Age: 22
Summary      
Thomas John Williamson was the son of James and Hannah Williamson. He was born on 3rd February 1896, one of five children, all born in the Lisfearty area of Clonavaddy. He enlisted in Ballygawley. Lance Corporal Thomas Williamson was awarded the Military Medal in 1917. Lance Corporal Thomas John Williamson was serving with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he died as the result of an accident on 21st April 1918 in France. He was 22 years old.
Further Information
IMPORTANT: THE CWGC RECORD LANCE CORPORAL THOMAS WILLIAMSON’S DATED OF DEATH AS 21ST MAY 1918. THIS IS ALMOST CERTAINLY INCORRECT BECAUSE THE TYRONE COURIER OF 2 MAY 1918 RECORDS HIS DEATH. IT GIVES DATE OF DEATH AS EXACTLY ONE MONTH EARLIER AS 21 APRIL 1918. AS SUCH, THE RECORDS ON THIS WEBSITE REFLECT THIS.
Thomas John Williamson was the son of James and Hannah Williamson. James Williamson and Hannah Williamson were married on 5th May 1891 in the district of Dungannon
Thomas John Williamson was born on 3rd February 1896. He was one of five children, all born in the Lisfearty area of Clonavaddy.
Family: James Williamson, Hannah Williamson, Mary ‘Minnie’ Williamson (born 20th March 1892), William James Williamson (born 4th January 1894), Thomas John Williamson (born 3rd February 1896), Joseph Williamson (born 12th September 1899), Jane Williamson (born 20th February 1902).
The 1901 census records Thomas as 5 years old. The family lived in Lisferty, Clananeese, Tyrone. James Williamson was an agricultural labourer.
The 1911 census records Thomas as a 15 year old scholar. The family continued to live in Lisfearty, Clananeese, Tyrone. His father still worked as an agricultural labourer.
Thomas was employed as a blacksmith with Mr James Kirk, Cranslough, Castlecaulfield
Thomas Williamson enlisted in Ballygawley shortly after the outbreak of war.
1915
Medal card
Private Thomas John Williamson arrived in France with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers on 5th October 1915.
1917
Lance Corporal Thomas John Williamson was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry in the field on the 16th July 1917.
From the Tyrone Courier and News dated Thursday 8 November 1917:
The second instalment of recipients of the Military Medal for bravery in the field published in the London Gazette contains the name of 19450 Private (Lance Corporal) T J Williamson, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, Lisferty, County Tyrone
Military Medal card
1918
Lance Corporal Thomas John Williamson was serving with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he died on 21st May 1918 in France. He was instantaneously killed accidentally on 21st April 1918 by the explosion of a bomb whilst he was attending to transport duties in France.
From the Tyrone Courier and Dungannon News dated Thursday 2 May 1918:
Mr James Williamson, Mulnahunch, Cabra, Donaghmore, has been informed by an officer that his son, Lance Corporal Thomas Williamson, 9th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling fusiliers, was instantaneously killed on 21st April 1918 by the explosion of a bomb while he was attending to transport duties in France. The deceased soldier, who enlisted shortly after the outbreak of war, was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry in the field on the 16th July 1917. Prior to joining the army he was employed as a blacksmith with Mr James Kirk, Cranslough, Castlecaulfield.
Last Will and Testament
Last Will and Testament of Thomas John Williamson:
In the event of my death, I give the whole of my property and effects to my mother, Mrs James Williamson, Lisferty, Clonaneese, Castlecaulfield, Co Tyrone, Ireland. Signed Thomas J Williamson Private 19450. 9th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. 3rd October 1915
Memorials
Lance Corporal Thomas Williamson is commemorated locally Dungannon War Memorial.
The CWGC record Lance Corporal Thomas John Williamson as the son of James and Hannah Williamson of Clintyfollow, Greystone, Dungannon, County Tyrone.
Read more
Relevant Dungannon Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Lisfearty, Clananeese Ballygawley Census listing in Lisfearty, Clananeese 54.469788 -6.909728
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
05/05/1891 M Williamson Hannah Parent M/1891/T1/1440/2/118b
05/05/1891 M Williamson James Parent M/1891/T1/1440/2/118a
20/03/1892 B Williamson Mary Sibling U/1892/109/1012/12/200
04/01/1894 B Williamson William Sibling U/1894/109/1012/12/400
03/02/1896 B Williamson Thomas Casualty U/1896/109/1012/13/126
12/09/1899 B Williamson Joseph Sibling U/1899/109/1012/13/492
20/02/1902 B Williamson Jane Sibling U/1902/109/1012/14/221
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 Census lists Williamson family Lists Thomas John as age 5 living with the family at house 10 in Lisfearty, Clananeese, Tyrone
2 1911 Census lists Williamson family Lists Thomas John as age 15 living with the family at house 8 in Lisfearty, Clananeese, Tyrone
3 FindAGrave.com Photo of Thomas John Williamson's headstone
4 London Gazette - 30/10/1917 Supplement: 30364 Page: 11345 - Military Medal
5 National Archives of Ireland Last Will and Testament of Thomas John Wiliamson
6 National Archives UK Military Medal Card can be purchased here
7 National Archives UK Medal Card can be purchased here
8 Presbyterian ROH Clonaneese Thomas Williamson, killed in action
9 War Graves Photographic Project Photo of Thomas John Williamson's headstone can be purchased here.
Dungannon District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2015-2023