Putative photo of Thomas Maddox from family records
1888. He was born to Frederick and Emily Maddox in Brentford
1891 census 2, Prospect Cottages, Burdett Row, Twyford Abbey Ealing, Brentford
1901 census at 30, The Ham, New Brentford, Brentford
1906 Oc3 3. Attests 3rd East Surrey Militia He was a Bargemen
1907 Apr 9 Released from Militia to join Royal Inniskilling Fus
1909 Jun 14 he enlisted presumably with Royal Fusiliers
1911 census at Corunna Barracks, Aldershot and a Pte 4/ Royal Fusiliers, born Middlesex
1912 Oct. Married Emily Chandler at Brentford. I was brought up by George Maddox - Thomas's son and my Mother, Shirley, Georges his daughter. My Grandfather only ever told me and my Mother that Thomas was killed by the IRA and was shot in the back of head.. I have no further knowledge of events apart from copies of the photos you have already posted. From what I understand Thomas was on leave when he met Emily Chandler a childhood friend when they conceived Thomas George Chandler. Thomas was born in August of 1912 and they married in October that year when he was next on leave. My Grandfather was born in 1918 (George) and another son in 1920 (Frederick). My Grandfather never had any memories of his father apart from those imparted by his widow Emily.
1915 Jan 18. Landed France with Royal Fusiliers
1915 May 15 Official Casualty List. Thomas Maddox is on the list for Flanders serving with the 3rd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers.
1916 Dec 17 (circa) appears to have transferred as #228460 to Monmouth Regt as # 228542 transferred to Monmouthshire Regt on 17 Dec 1916
1917 Jun 8 discharged from Monmouth Regt because of sickness
It is then a bit of a mystery as to what was going on with Thomas Maddox's movements, After a long thread on WW1 Forum
1918 May 29 . Worc. R. The undermentioned Cadets to be temp. 2nd Lts....Thomas Maddox
1919 Aug 11 (circa) . re-enlisted in Essex Regt. #52248 re-enlisted in Essex Regt on this date, so Maddox will have been within a few days of this
1919 Dec Army List. Temporary War Time Commission. 2nd Lieutenant with seniority from the 29th May 1918. Part of a pool of officers of the Service Battalions, Worcestershire
1920. May Army List Just about possible to work out he is still a Second Lieutenant in a pool of officers of the Service Battalions, Worcestershire Regiment,
1920 Aug Army List He is not serving with the Worcestershire Regiment, but the relevant pages of the index are missing, so no knowing if he was serving elsewhere.
1920 Jul 27. Killed while on an intelligence operation in Cork. Major Percival led a raid on the home of a suspected IRA man following the shooting of a RIC Sgt Mulherin. Percival says "I took a picked man and proceeded to the house of a local IRA leader which was situated only 500 yards from our barracks, with a view to watching it. On entering the garden a shot rang out and the man fell dead. Shot through the head by a fellow armed with a shotgun loaded with slugs. We had walked on to the top of an IRA piquet which was protecting the house"
There are 2 mentions in Witness Statements which tell the story from the IRA perspective- WS 1640 James Doyle
Towards the end of July 1920, two men from my company (Kilpatrick) Michael Doyle and John Coveney were detailed for protection duty at the home of Sean Buckley (Brigade I.O.). A section of military made its appearance in the vicinity and our guard opened fire. The enemy suffered one casualty Lance Corporal Maddox killed. Our men withdrew having no casualties.
WS 1638 Michael Riordan When Sergt. Mulherin, R.I.C. Intelligence Officer, was shot in Bandon on July 25th 1920, it was anticipated that enemy forces would take reprisal action. The home of the Brigade Intelligence Officer (Seán Buckley) was one of those likely to be attacked and arrangements were made to provide a guard in the vicinity of the house. With Jim Doyle of our company (Kilpatrick) I went to Frank Hurley's, Lauragh Tinker's Cross Company area. Accompanied by two or three men from the latter company, we moved on to the vicinity of Seán Buckley's where we remained for some time. There was no sign of any enemy activity, so we withdrew to our home areas. We were all armed with shotguns. This was on the night of July 25th. Similar procedure was followed by other members of the same companies (Tinker's Cross and Kilpatrick) on the following night, with like results. 0n the night of July 27th the representatives from Kilpatrick were: Michael Doyle and John Coveney. They had only just taken up their positions when two soldiers made their appearance. The leading man was about 30 yards in front of the second. When the leader was within about 10 yards of our guard, fire was opened on him and he was killed. The second soldier then dashed away and escaped. Our men withdrew without delay as they were within 100 yards of Bandon military post. The soldier who had been shot was later reported to be Lance Corporal Maddox, Essex Regiment
There does not seem to have been an inquest - an inquest was the norm for deaths in Ireland. Presumably because it was an intelligence operation/
Buried Chiswick Cemetery
Maddox's coffin at Bandon
1921 Jan 18. Probate granted to his widow
From Molloy's card in same hand
