Emerson, Thomas
Private
No. 11473, 1st Battalion, Irish Guards
Killed in action on Wednesday 10 October 1917 (aged 39)
No known grave
Commemorated:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium (Panel 10 to 11)
BIOGRAPHY
In some records his surname is spelt Emmerson.
In the Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 – 1919 database it is recorded that Thomas Emerson was born in the townland of Ballyphilip, Portaferry, Co Down and he enlisted in Belfast.
Private Thomas Emerson (No. 11473) served with the 1st Battalion Irish Guards and he was killed in action on 10 October 1917. Official records show that he left a widow (Mary) and children.
Private Thomas Emerson (No. 11473) has no known grave and he is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium.
Thomas Joseph Emerson was born on 14 August 1878 in Knockinelder, Portaferry and he was a son of Henry and Anne (Annie) Emerson (nee Curran, sometimes Curren) who were married in Ballyphilip Roman Catholic Church, Portaferry. Henry Emerson (aged 30), a farmer from Knockinelder was a son of Thomas Emerson, a coast guard. Annie Curran (aged 25) from Knockinelder was daughter of John Curran, a farmer.
Henry and Annie Emerson (nee Curran) had at least six children:
Thomas Joseph (born 14 August 1878 in Knockinelder)
William (born 21 June 1880 in Knockinelder)
Mary Elizabeth (born 23 January 1882 in Knockinelder; died of hemoptysis 18 February 1882)
Henry Alexander (born 15 July 1883 in Knockinelder)
Anne Teresa (Annie, born 23 May 1886 in Knockinelder)
Mary Catherine (born 1 September 1889 in Knockinelder)
In 1901 Thomas Joseph Emerson was living in Posnett Street, Belfast (aged 22) and he was a commercial clerk in the wholesale whisky trade. In 1901 Henry Emerson (aged 17) was working as a farm servant for John and Mary Curran in Knockinelder.
In 1911 Thomas Joseph Emerson was working as a clerk and boarding with the Murphy family in Woodstock Road, Belfast (aged 33).
Thomas Joseph Emerson and Mary Ann Toner were married on 28 November 1911 in St Matthew’s Roman Catholic Church Belfast. Thomas Emerson (stated age 23, actual age 33), a clerk from 61 Castlereagh Street, Belfast was a son of Henry Emerson, a farmer. Mary Ann Toner (aged 24) of 148 Madrid Street, Belfast was a daughter of Bernard Toner, a farmer.
Thomas and Mary Ann Emerson (nee Toner) had at least four children:
Mary Rosetta (born 2 October 1912 at 33 Balfour Street, Belfast)
Annie Cecilia (born 20 October 1913 at 33 Balfour Street, Belfast)
Henry Joseph (born 15 May 1915 at 33 Balfour Avenue, Belfast; died of tubercular meningitis 8 March 1917)
Thomas Bernard (born 18 February 1917 at 33 Balfour Avenue, Belfast)
Their father, Private Thomas Emerson (No. 11473), was killed on 10 October 1917.