WWI Honour Roll - Thomas & Thomas Coleman

For the second iteration of the WWI Honour Roll, we are commemorating the memory of two brave Clann members who passed away within 24 hours of each other, on the same battlefield - Thomas & Thomas T. Coleman.

Both joined the war effort against the Triple Alliance and were sent to the Ypres Salient, in Belgium. They fell during the Battle of St. Julien which was a major engagement of the Second Battle of Ypres.

Interestingly, Thomas Coleman, who passed away on April 26th 1915, chose to serve with the Connaught Rangers as P. Fleming. He was the son of the late John and Annie Coleman, of Baggot & East James St., Dublin. His grave - pictured below - is located on plot I.J.2 in La Brique Military Cemetery No. 2 in the town of Ypres.

The "other" Thomas Coleman, Private in the 1st Battalion of the Highland Light Infantry, passed away the very next day, on the very same battlefield. Unfortunately, his remains were never found and he is remembered at Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

As pictured below, his name was carved into stone on panel 38 of the Memorial where a cross has been laid in his honour on behalf of the Clann (please note that the poppy on the cross represents the poppies found growing on soldiers' graves in Flanders Fields. It is not a political statement of any sort).