47637 Cpl Thomas Mack, X/2 Trench Mortar Battery, Died of Wounds 27 Oct 16

47637 Cpl Thomas Mack, X/2 Trench Mortar Battery, Died of Wounds 27 Oct 16

Thomas Mack was born in Westport, County Mayo. He lived in Croydon and Tottenham, and Soldiers Died on the Great War suggests he enlisted at Holloway. He served as 47637 Cpl T Mack in the Royal Garrison Artillery. He entered the France and Flanders theatre of war on a base detail on 6 June 1915, as a Gunner, and was accordingly entitled to the 1915 Star. By late 1916 he was in the rank of Corporal, serving with X/2* [Medium] Trench Mortar Battery, 2nd Division. The medium batteries had joined the division in April 1916. By October 1916 the 2nd Division, which had been sent into battle on the Somme in July, was preparing for the Battle of the Ancre, the divisional artillery and trench Mortar batteries being particularly employed in cutting the enemy's wire in front of his defences, preparatory to an assault. On 25 October 1916 Cpl Mack was severely wounded, suffering several gun shot wounds (army term for any penetrating wound). The X/2 Divisional Trench Mortar Battery War Diary for October 1916 contains a reference to Cpl Mack: "25/10/16. No. of rds fired 22. Corp Mack wounded. Gnr Ballantyne 'shock'. Retaliation light." Corporal Mack was admitted to hospital (number 3 Casualty Clearing Station**) on 25 October 1916 under Index Number Of Admission T12469. This record also confirms that he was serving with X.2 Trench Mortar Battery at the time of admission. Cpl Mack died of wounds on 27 October 1916 whilst in the care of the 3rd Casualty Clearing Station, which had come to Puchevillers along with the 44th CCS in June 1916, just prior to the opening of the Battle of the Somme. He is buried at PUCHEVILLERS BRITISH CEMETERY, plot V., row E. grave 20., Somme, France, one of 1763 casualties commemorated there. As a former Croydon resident he also appears in 'Croydon and The Great War' under the Croydon Roll of Honour, whilst as an Irishman by birth he also appears on Ireland's Memorial Rolls. His financial effects, including £9 10s War Gratuity, went to his sole legatee, Bert Adkin, in 1920.

*His entry in the register of soldiers' effects has 'Y' TMB, but other records show 'X'

**TNA reference MH106/328