16/130 Sergeant Thomas Ruddock 16th Royal Irish Rifles (Pioneers)

No.16/130 Sgt. Thomas Ruddock, Pioneer Battalion, 16th Royal Irish Rifles (2nd Co.Down Volunteers) 36th Ulster Division.
He enlisted on Nov. 14, 1914. Stayed until armistice and was transferred to the reserves on demobilization.
Thomas received a certificate for "Gallantry and Devotion to Duty Displayed at Mount Noir on the nights of July 21,22, and 23, 1918" signed by Major Gen. C. Coffin.
HIs Grandson Brian McNicholas has in his pocession a satchel containing paystubs, his transfer to reserves (probably the "Black and Tan") in 1919, an itinerary for parades, enlistment paper, and misc. papers.
"My grandmother, who is still alive at the age of 97, recalls he was the youngest Sergeant in the 36th Division, if not the entire British Army. Born in 1898, puts him at age 16 upon enlistment in 1914 and a Sergeant by the age of 18. I have the paperwork to back this. All this information is coming to light recently as my Grandmother cleaned out her attic."

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning
WE WILL REMEMBER HIM

/2ND FROM RIGHT STANDING SGT. T. RUDDOCK RIR

Ttribute created with the kind permission ofThomas's Granson Brian McNicholas
. If you have any information concerning Thomas Ruddock, or would like to pay tribute to one of your relatives who fought with the 36th on a page like this, please contact info@belfastsomme.com
putting "Hero" in the subject field

View and sign Guestbook
South Belfast Friends of the Somme Association and its website belfastsomme.com do not necessarily agree with all comments and statements made in the guest book, and cannot be held responsible for the content of external links placed on the guestbook. The guestbook is moderated and IP address recorded, so any vulgar, sectarian, degrading, raciast or bigoted comments will be removed and the violaters Internet Service Provider informed.