2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers
Thomas Flannery was born in Galway, Ireland, in 1891, son of Martin Flannery a farmer.
He attested at Nottingham on 15 January 1915 for service with 4th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters and was instead posted to 3rd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers. He landed in France on 3 August 1915 but did not join the 2nd Battalion there until 22 September 1915. He was wounded on 1 July 1916, receiving a gunshot wound to his left hand when 2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers were in action against the Heidenkopf or Quadrilateral near Serre. Via No 29 and No 8 Casualty Clearing Stations and No 9 General Hospital, at Rouen, he was invalided back to England, for further treatment, on HS St Patrick on 4 July 1916. Thomas spent the rest of 1916 receiving treatment.
On 23 December 1916 Thomas Flannery married, at (Christchurch) Berry Hill, Coleford, Grace White (1897-1976), of Joyford Lonk, Coleford, daughter of Benjamin White, a collier. Thomas Flannery gave his occupation as collier. There was one daughter of the marriage. Grace Flannery remarried in 1953. On 11 January 1917 he was posted to 3rd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers at Hull. On 23 February 1918 he was transferred to 484th Agricultural Company, Labour Corps.
He was demobilized on 5 March 1919 when his address was noted as Home Farm, Bestwood Farm, Arnold, Nottingham. He died in the General Hospital, Nottingham 28 August 1919, aged 28 years. The cause of his death is unknown, but evidently caused by his service since his burial place is recognised by the CWGC. His remains were returned to his home at Joyford, Berry Hill for interment which took place which took place at Forest of Dean (Christchurch) Cemetery on 1 September 1919. A standard CWGC headstone now marks his grave.
Researched by Eric Nicholls February 2021