Thomas Riordan

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Thomas Mortimer (Morty) Riordan was born on the 15th November 1861 at Dum Dum, Bengal India to Michael Riordan (1833-72) and Anne, nee Quigley, (1840-1904). His father Michael was in the military and saw service in New Zealand and India. By 1869, however, the family were in Dublin where Thomas received his education at the Royal Hibernian School. He would eventually enlist in the 19th Foot, as the regiment was called at the time.

The 1891 census shows Thomas as being in the military at Fort Gomer barracks, near Gosport Hampshire. The fort was a Military training establishment in the 19th century. It was demolished in the 1960’s.

Thomas married Anne Rebecca Smith in March 1889 and would go on to have 6 children; 5 sons and a daughter. One of their sons, also christened Thomas Mortimer, also served with the regiment, spending much of the First World war as a Prisoner of War. Another son was killed while serving with the Lancashire Fusiliers. His grandson Jack, born in 1930, would also go on to serve in the Green Howards also receiving an MBE in 1975.

The 1901 census shows Thomas and family living in Dublin where he was a Sergeant Major at the Ship Street Barracks, and by the 1911 census living at 376 Ivydale Road in Peckham Rye London. Thomas had been discharged from the Army in 1902 and was now working at the War Office as a Clerk (Ex Soldier). He was awarded his MBE in 1918.

Thomas died at the Dulwich Hospital London on the 17th August 1932.