Bernard Thomas Quinn
he gave his occupation as a coal miner pony driver upon his enlistment.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Bernard Thomas Quinn was born in 1899 at Nottingham, he was the son of the late Thomas a brick layers labourer and Annie Quinn née Burke and the brother of Mary, Annie, Beatrice and Catherine Quinn.
His father Thomas was born in 1872 at Foxford, Ireland, he was killed in action on 20th July 1916 his mother Annie Burke was born in 1874 they were married on 12th September 1897 at St Patricks Roman Catholice Church Nottingham they had 4 children.
In the 1911 census the family lived at 2 Tilley's Yard, Drury Hill, Nottingham, Thomas 39 yrs is a bricklayers labourer, he is living with his wife Annie 35 yrs a lace hand and their children, Mary Ann 14 yrs an errand girl, Bernard 12 yrs a scholar, Beatrice 7 yrs a scholar and Catherine 4 yrs of age.
Aged sixteen and a half Quinn was one of Nottinghamshire's youngest Great War front line army fatalities.
He enlisted on 13th March 1915 at Nottingham, giving his address as 3 Popham Street, Sneinton, Nottingham giving a false age of 19 yrs and 2 months he was a coal miner pony driver, his next of kin was his father Thomas of the same address. He attended the Winchesters barracks on 18th March 1915 and was posted to the Rifle Brigade. He landed in France on 9th September 1915 and was reported missing and later killed in action on 25th September 1915 having no known grave his name is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial
His father Thomas Quinn enlisted at Birmingham on 26th May 1915 giving his address as 145 Alcester Street, Birmingham, his age as 36 yrs and 7 months and his occupation was that of a labourer, he was posted to the 18th battalion Middlesex Regiment, he landed in France on 12th November 1915, he was killed in action on 20th July 1916. he had served a total of 1 year and 56 days. Having no known grave his name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.
additional research and information Peter Gillings
Photo of Bernard Thomas Quinn
Ypres Menin Gate memorial, Belgium, courtesy of the cwgc