Capt. Thomas Corry

 

Capt. Thomas Corry, D.C.M., P.C. (1888-1960)

 

The death of Capt. Thomas Corry, D.C.M., P.C., of Labasheeda, occurred on February 14^th 1960. He was a famous figure in welfare work in the County of Clare. Captain Corry’s paternal home was located at Derryguiha approximately 300 meters from the Markham homestead. His father John was born in the year 1837 and died on Christmas Day 1911 at Ballyartney, Labasheeda.

At the outbreak of the first World War he was a Drill Sergeant in the Irish Guards. He went to France with his unit where he gained the Distinguished Conduct Medal for bravery in action, a decoration which can only be awarded for bravery in the face of the enemy.

He rose to the rank of Captain (Quarter Master) in the Irish Guards. Retiring when his regiment was in Turkey at approximately the same time as Field Marshal Alexender of Tunis finished his tour of command of the Ist Batt., The Irish Guards.

From the treaty to the time of his death he devoted himself to the welfare of ex-servicemen and their dependents in Ireland and especially in Clare. He knew personally every ex-serviceman and woman and their dependents in the county.

For many years, before he passed on, he was a Peace Commissioner, a council member of the British Legion, Southern Ireland Area Council, a member of the Ministry of Pension advisory board, Secretary of the British Legion Service Committee in Clare; also of the soldiers’ sailors’ and airmen’s families association and the mainstay of the Ennis and Kilrush branch of the British Legion.

In these capacities he travelled many hundreds of miles a month, visiting ex-servicemen and their families. All these appointments carried no salary whatsoever. All his work was voluntary as he refused to accept any expenses.

He trained the L.D.F. (Local Defence Force) Labasheeda during ‘The Emergency’

The passing of a truly man and a great Christian left a very large void in not only county, but also on the South of Ireland.

The gravestone at Killofin, Labasheeda has the following inscription:

Erected by Lieu. T. Corry Irish Guards

In Memory of his mother Bridget who died 18^th May 1902

His father John who died 25^th December 1911.

Capt. Thos. Corry died 14^th February 1960.

 

D.C.M. = Distinguished Conduct Medal.