Pte 52102 Thomas Reilly

• Age: 19
• From: Manchester
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• K.I.A Wednesday 18th October 1916
• Commemorated at: Thiepval Memorial
  Panel Ref: P&F1D8B &8 C.

Thomas Reilly was born on the 17th April 1897 in Manchester and was the son of James Joseph and Ann (nee Verner) Reilly, of 39 Lower Chatham St, Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester, who married in 1889 at St Michael, Manchester. He was baptised on the 26th April 1897 at St Augustine RC Church, Chorlton. 

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 2 Cook St, Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester.

Father James Joseph is aged 46, a gas mains labourer, mother Ann is aged 32, children John E. aged 10, Ann aged 8, James William aged 7, Mary Ellen aged 5, Thomas aged 3 (everybody born Manchester). 

Father died aged 51 in 1908. 

The 1911 Census shows the family living at 39 Lower Chatham St, Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester.

His mother Ann is aged 43, born in Manchester in 1868 and is a widow.  She stated that she had twelve children of which seven were still living, and six were living with her. All her children were born in Manchester.  Those listed in the household are: Ann aged 18, born 1893 occupation Handkerchief Folder, James William aged 17, born 1894 a Wood Case Maker, Mary Ellen aged 15, born 1896 an Errand Girl, Thomas aged 13, and Catherine aged 6, born 1905 are at school and the youngest Fredrick aged 4, born 1907. She also had three boarders living at the property William Verner aged 67, born 1844 occupation Bricklayer, David Verner aged 46, born 1865 a Wooden Case Maker and William Farrell aged 40, born 1871 a Carman.

He enlisted in Manchester and was formerly Private 2015, Manchester Regiment and following a transfer was serving in the 19th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 52102 when he was killed in action on the 18th October 1916 aged 19 during the Battle of the Transloy Ridges which was part of the ongoing Somme Offensive.

19th Bn Diary  

18^th October 1916

Zero hour for attack 3.40am. The 21^st Brigade attacked on our left, the Battalion immediately on our left being the 2^nd Battn. Yorkshire Regiment, to whom 2^nd Lieut Rendell was sent as Liaison Officer. The 12^th Division attacked on the right, the Battalion immediately on our right being the 5^th Battalion Royal Berks Regiment, from whom Lieut Debono was sent to us as Liaison Officer .  Advances were made on the far right and far left of the attack, but the Brigades immediately on our left and right were held up. The Battalion was not called upon to advance, merely to hold its position. Two tanks went into action, one got into the German trenches, remaining there for about 25 minutes, killing many Germans and causing many others to run away. Casualties 4 O.R. killed and 4 O.R. wounded. Late in the evening orders were received for the Battalion to take over a portion of the line held by the 21^st Infantry Brigade, and No.1 Company, under Captain Dodd, was brought up to effect this, his Company being relieved at Factory Corner by 2 Companies of the 20^th Battn K.L.R.        

Thomas has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, France.

The Thiepval Memorial, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave. Over 90% of those commemorated died between July and November 1916.

On 01st August 1932 the Prince of Wales and the President of France inaugurated the Thiepval Memorial in Picardy. The inscription reads: “Here are recorded the names of officers and men of the British Armies who fell on the Somme battlefields between July 1915 and March 1918 but to whom the fortune of war denied the known and honoured burial given to their comrades in death.”

Manchester Evening News 17th Nov 1916 

REILLY - Private T. REILLY, killed in action October 18, 1916, Manchesters, attached to King's Liverpool, second son of Anne Reilly, age 19. 

The shock was great, the blow severe, 

We little thought that death was near; 

Only those who have lost them are able to tell 

The grief for one we loved so well. 

- sadly missed by his sorrowing MOTHER, SISTERS and BROTHERS. 

39 Lower Chatham Street, C on M. 

Manchester Evening News 18th Oct 1917 

REILLY - In loving memory of my dear sons, Private THOMAS REILLY, killed in action October 18, 1916, age 19, also his brother Private JOHN EDWARD, killed in action August 21, 1915, age 25. 

I cannot forget them, I love them too early 

For their memory to fade from my mind like a dream; 

My lips need not speak, for my heart mourns sincerely, 

And thoughts often dwell where they seldom are seen. 

- Sadly missed by his MOTHER, SISTERS, BROTHER and BROTHER in France. 

39 Lower Chatham Street, C on M, Manchester. 

Soldiers Effects and Pension to mother Ann, 39 Lower Chatham St. 

Brother John Edward died on 21st Aug 1915 at Gallipoli whilst serving as Pte 9294, 9th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers 

https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/687505/john-edward-reilly/ 

We currently have no further information on Thomas Reilly, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.