Breene, Thomas Frederick

2nd Lieutenant Thomas Frederick Breene

was born in Ballykett townland, Kilrush, Co. Clare, Ireland on 17th May 1888 to Thomas John Breene, Excise Officer and Mary Ann Breene nee McInerney. They had married on 16th August 1883 at St Michael's Church of Ireland, Limerick. Thomas is recorded as an Inland Revenue Officer on the marriage registration.

In 1901 Thomas (12) was living at 99 Fitzroy Avenue, Belfast with his parents and 6 siblings; Walter (16), Richard (14), Harold (11), John George (10), Aileen Clare (8) and Nicholas (6). A servant, Bridget Tubridy was also living in the house. Thomas' father's occupation is recorded as an Inland Revenue Officer, 1st Class, (Excise Department).

On 1st March 1906, Thomas joined Northern Bank in Head Office. 

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Transfers followed to Balbriggan (1908), Londonderry (1910) and Kingscourt (1911 - Cashier).

Northern Bank, Balbriggan branch

Northern Bank, Londonderry branch

Frederick Breen is recorded in the 1911 Irish Census as boarding with the Haslett family in house 2.1 Rosemount Avenue, Londonderry.

In 1911, the rest of the family were still living in house 99, Fitzroy Avenue, Belfast. Parents and 4 children; John George (20 - Bank Clerk), Aileen Clare (18), Nicholas (16) and Cyril (8). John was eventually to emigrate to USA where  he died in 1945. 

On ‘Ulster Day’, Saturday, 28th September 1912, Thomas' sister, Aileen Claire Breene signed the Women’s Ulster Declaration (Covenant) at All Saints School, Belfast.

Further transfers followed to Cushendall (1912 - Cashier), Head Office (1912), Dungloe (1912 - Cashier) and Head Office (1914).

Northern Bank, Cushendall branch (1922 burning)

Northern Bank, Dungloe branch

 
Thomas was a member of Queens’ University Officer Training Corps (OTC) in 1915. On 10th May 1915, Thomas volunteered and enlisted into the 1st Bn. Royal Warwickshire Machine-Gun Corps as a 2nd Lieutenant. 

His first theatre of war is recorded as M. E. F. from 20th November 1915. Later newspaper reports record him as dying in  France.

T F Breene - Medal Index Card

Thomas was killed in action on 1st July 1916.

This website records a diary entry that mentions the death of T F Breene.

"... At 9:10 am the 1st Royal Warwickshire Regiment, which had already experienced the front-line horrors of gas attacks in the last week of June, received orders to move up from its reserve position and towards the battle zone. Just after 1:00pm, reports were received that British troops had been spotted in the German forward trenches, and a patrol belonging to the 1st RWR set off into No Man's Land under Lt R R Waters of 'A' Company. Pinned down by machine-gun fire from Beaumont Hamel, the sortie was forced to withdraw having suffered a number of casualties, including the death of Lt T F Breene. In the ranks, Gloucester born A/Cpl Albert Henry Boucher (No. 8609) had also fallen. ..."

The Belfast News Letter of 7th July 1916 reports:

The Belfast News Letter dated 19th July 1916 reports:

The Belfast News Letter of 8th January 1917 reports:

Administration (with the Will) was granted at Belfast to Mary Breene, Married Woman.  Thomas' effects were £31 16s 0d.

Thomas was awarded the 1915 Star, British Victory Medal and the British War Medal and is commemorated on the 'Royal Warwickshire Regiment' wall section of the Thiepval Memorial.

T F Breene is remembered on the Queen's University Officers' Training Corps War Memorial and in Ireland's Memorial Record:

A retired official of Northern Bank, Peter Breene (PTSB) has kindly let me use two photographs of brothers of T F Breene.

Richard Simmons Breene and Harold (Hal) Breene

Richard was to become Chancellor Breene, rector of St Peters parish, Antrim Road, Belfast.

Hal was also a member of the Warwickshire Regiment.  He had been badly effected by gassing during the war and was never in good health afterwards.  He died aged 72 on board a ship to Madeira and was buried at sea.