Thomas Robert a.k.a. Robert Casey

Thomas was born on or around 3/4 Mar 1897 near Ballymahon; it is believed that his name was registered as Robert.

Thomas first enlisted at Longford giving the age of 18 on his attestment, although the date of his enlistment is not known as the surviving document was partially damaged during World War 2. He formally enlisted for war service in 19 Feb 1915.  and entered the theatre on the 29 Jul 1915 on the western front, serving there with the RFA until 16 Mar 1917. During his front line service, Thomas suffered an artillery or bomb strike when he was in a gun pit likely during 1916, and subsequently was diagnosed with epilepsy in Nov 1916 potentially as a result of the injury he received. Thomas was discharged from war service on 17 June 1918 on health grounds. Thomas was awarded the Silver War Badge (No 410949) in recognition of his inability to serve further, with the RFA. However, Thomas appears to have then served with the home defence unit of the Royal Hertfordshire Regiment until the 18 Jul 1922. 

Afer WW1 Thomas returned to Ireland in c.1924, with his address initially being given as Drynan, Ballymahon and later C/o the Post Office at Pettigoe, Co. Donegal in his Army pensions records. One record notes a grant from the Army towards the purchase of cattle in 1920. 

Interestingly, Thomas attempted to enlist with the Irish Guards (Regt No 14709) in February 1920, (link to attestment here on Fold3.com, a subscription site); he gave his name as Robert Thomas Casey and his address as Drynan and his father's name as John Casey. Robert, however, was discharged a month later on health grounds. 

Possible Civil Record of Birth; link to Pensions Ledger Index (Fold3.com, subscription site); Medal Rolls Index (fold3.com); WW1 Pensions Ledger & Index 02;  WW1 Pensions Ledger & Index, 02b (Fold3.com); Ww1 Pensions Ledger & Index 02a;