Menin Gate Memorial
Brenda McMahon has submitted the following:-
Thomas was born at Gateshead in 1879. His parents were James and Margaret.
The first census with information about Thomas is that of 1901 when Thomas was living as a boarder at Hopper's Buildings, Gateshead. He was working as a general labourer.
By 1909 he had met and married Mary Ann Wood then by the 1911 census he has settled down at 4 Hope Cottages, Sheriff Hill. The couple had no children at that time. He was by now working as a coal miner (hewer).
Thomas enlisted into the army but was killed in action 9 August 1915 probably in the intense fighting around the Hooge area. It has been referred to by some as Hell at Hooge. It is noted that 262 other ranks were killed during this period of conflict, up to end August, as well as many wounded or missing. There are extensive war diaries available for further information.
In the Newcastle Journal 19 August 1915 under the heading ’Gateshead man missing’ it was reported “information received by Mrs Monaghan that her husband is missing. The news has been forwarded by a corporal of his regiment.”
Thomas is listed along with 54,391 other soldiers on the Menin Gate Memorial.
Medals :- 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal
Thomas Monaghan is remembered at at Gateshead on G39.004 and at Gateshead Fell on G39.064
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 209
