Thomas Allen (Irish Volunteer) facts for kids

Thomas Allen was an important member of the Irish Volunteers. He bravely fought and died during the 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin, specifically at the Four Courts building.

Early Life and Work

Thomas Allen was born in 1883 in Longwood, County Meath, Ireland. When he was young, his mother passed away. Thomas and his sister then moved to live with their grandparents in Ballasport, near the Hill of Down.

He learned how to make boots in his local area. Later, he moved to Dublin to find work. He found a job with a company called Winstanley's and lived in Philsborough, Dublin.

Joining the Irish Volunteers

In 1914, Thomas Allen decided to join the Irish Volunteers. This was a group of Irish men and women who wanted Ireland to be independent from British rule. He was part of C Company, which was in the First Battalion of the Dublin Brigade.

Thomas was very active in the Volunteers. In July 1914, he helped with the Howth gun-running. This was an event where the Volunteers secretly brought weapons into Ireland. His home was often used to send and receive messages for the group.

He was known as a dedicated drill instructor, always the first to arrive and the last to leave the drill hall. His group was even playfully called "The Tommy Allen Athletic Club" because of his energy.

The Easter Rising (1916)

On Easter Monday in 1916, the Easter Rising began. This was a major rebellion against British rule in Ireland. Thomas Allen was promoted from Sergeant to Lieutenant. He was stationed at the Four Courts building in Dublin, where Ned Daly was in charge of the Volunteers.

Lieutenant Allen led a group of about 20 men in the Western Records Wing of the Four Courts. They were defending their position against British soldiers.

Thomas Allen's Death

Four days into the Rising, Thomas Allen was seriously wounded. He was hit by gunfire that bounced off another Volunteer, Sean O'Carroll. This happened while he was barricading a window as British soldiers advanced through Smithfield.

Another Volunteer from Longwood, Eamonn Duggan, tried to get medical help for Allen from Richmond Hospital. However, the British officer in charge would not let the message through. By the time medical attention arrived, it was too late. Thomas Allen died in Richmond Hospital. He was only 29 years old.

Captain Sean Prendergast, a fellow Volunteer, spoke about the sadness of losing Thomas Allen. He said that Thomas was "one of our best, always so active, always so reliable as a man and as a Volunteer." He added that Thomas was loved by everyone in their company and that his death felt like a great loss for them and for Ireland.

Father Augustine, who supported the Volunteers, performed Thomas Allen's last rites. Thomas Allen was survived by his partner Margaret Anderson, his three sons named James, John, and Thomas, and a daughter named Eileen. A memorial for Thomas Allen was later built at Kilglass, which still stands today.