Thomas Ratican/ Ratigan/ Rhatigan

Thomas was born in Ballymahon on 3 December 1887. He married Mary Devine in Dublin on 7 February 1915 and they lived in 3 Henrietta Street, Dublin.

Thomas was a career soldier and served in the 8th Battaltion, Rifle Brigade before continuing with the Royal Irish Fusiliers at Athlone in 1906. He served in India from 20 November 1907 to 25 September 1909. Pte Ratican was mobilised for the Great War from Armagh on 5 August 1914 and was discharged on disability grounds in February 1915.  However, it appears that he re-enlisted with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers some time in late 1915 or 1916, and served in France. The regimental war diary for May 1917 mentions Thomas being was presented with a watch, along with two other comrades at Écurie, only a few weeks before his death. The diary states:

2.5.1917 – The Battalion was this day inspected by Brigadier General HWE Finch Commanding the 190th Infantry Brigade, with that watches were presented to B26710 Private Ratican T , B26975 Private Short EJ and D26346 Private Ennis W. These watches were sent by Major O Neges of the 2/8 West Yorkshire Regiment who was severely wounded at MIRAUMONT on the 26th February 1917 and was brought to the Regiment Aid Post, under heavy shell fire by the above mentioned stretcher bearers. The following has been received from First Army:-
Army Commanders have much pleasure in forwarding the following message received from the Commander in Chief. 'My warmest congratulations on the important success achieved by you on the operations of 28th and 29th April 1917. Convey to the troops and formations which took part in this my appreciation of the great gallantry and spirit shown by them.'

Link to CWGC entry; link to will; notice of death, Freemans Journal, June 1917; 10th RDF War Diary, May 1917; link to Civil Record of marriage;