Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch
Coagh - Those That Served
41260   Private Thomas H Rollins
Dated added: 01/06/2017
Last updated: 21/04/2019
Personal Details
Regiment/Service:
9th Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth:
20/09/1891
Died:
 (Survived The War)
Age:
Summary
Thomas Rollins was the son of Mary Ann Rollins. He was born in the Coagh area. His father died when he was very young. His mother remarried. They went on to have five children. His step-father died in 1907. Thomas Henry and his mother worked a farm with her young family. By April 1915, Private Thomas Rollins was serving with the North Irish Horse. In September 1917, he transferred to the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Further Information
The History of Coagh booklet lists Private Thomas Rollins as having served with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers in the war.
Thomas Rollins was the son of Mary Ann Rollins.
There are many different variations of the surname. These include Rawlins, Rolands, Reynolds and Roylands.
Thomas Henry Rollins was born on 20th September 1891. He was born in the Coagh area.
Known family 1: Unknown father’s name Rollins, Mary Ann Rollins, Thomas Henry Rollins (born 20th September 1891).
Thomas’s father died when he was very young.
His mother remarried. Mary Ann Rollins and Robert Mitchell were married on 8th March 1900 in the district of Cookstown. They went on to have five children.
The 1901 census lists Thomas Rollins as age 9, living with his new family at house 12 in Drumads, Coagh.
Known family 2: Robert Mitchell, Mary Ann Mitchell, Matilda Annie Mitchell (born 18th February 1901), Fredrick Mitchell (born 29th November 1902), Robert Mitchell (born 21st July 1904), Lily Mitchell (born 10th March 1906), Edwin Mitchell (born 26th August 1907).
Thomas’ step-father died on 13th April 1907. Robert Mitchell was 43 years old when he died in the Coagh area.
The 1911 census lists Thomas Henry as age 19, living with his mother and her family at house 11 in Drumads, Coagh. They were a farming family.
By April 1915, Private Thomas Rollins was serving with the North Irish Horse. He had been allowed home on a fortnight’s sick leave. Prior to his return, he was in hospital at Rouen in France, and afterwards at Liverpool.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 3rd April 1915: Coagh
Another solider belonging to Coagh, Private Thomas Rollins, North Irish Horse, has been allowed home on a fortnight’s sick leave. Before coming home, Private Rollins was in hospital at Rouen in France, and afterwards at Liverpool. He is longing to get back again.
In September 1917, the 2nd North Irish Horse Regiment was disbanded and the men compulsorily transferred to infantry (though they retained their cavalry rate of pay). They were transferred to the 9th (Service) Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers, together with a number of men surplus to the 1st North Irish Horse Regiment. The battalion, which had sustained severe casualties the previous month at Ypres, was renamed the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Private Thomas Rollins who served with the North Irish Horse with the Reg No 984, was transferred to the Royal Irish Fusiliers, Reg No 41260.
Thomas Rollins was 27 years old when the war ended.
Read more
Relevant Coagh Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Drumads, Coagh Coagh East Census listing in Drumads, Coagh 54.633445 -6.593952
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 Census lists Thomas Rollins Lists Thomas as age 9 at house 12 in Drumad, Coagh, Tyrone
2 1911 Census lists Thomas H Rollins Lists Thomas Henry as age 19 at house 11 in Drumad, Coagh, Tyrone
3 National Archives UK Medal card can be purchased here
4 North Irish Horse Thomas Rollins transferred to the Royal Irish Fusiliers
Coagh & District in WW1
2018-2022