The unveiling of a memorial stone to honour Thomas Flynn V.C. (1839-1892 ), will take place in Cornamagh Cemetery on Wednesday, December 6, at 2.30pm.
The newly refurbished memorial stone will be unveiled by Cllr Louise Heavin, Mayor of Athlone Municipal District, local historian and author, Gearoid O’Brien, orating a short address.
For the past 60 years it was believed that drummer Thomas Flynn, a native of Athlone, was the youngest (or joint youngest ) ever recipient of the Victoria Cross. In the absence of any documentary evidence, it was accepted that he was born in August 1842 making him little more than 15 when he earned his V.C. for his courageous actions at Cawnpore in India on the 28th November, 1857.
Following extensive research by Gearoid O’Brien and Shane McCormack earlier this year, which was scrutinised and accepted by the Victoria Cross & George Cross Association, we now know more than ever about this brave son of Athlone.
Thomas Flynn was the son of Patrick Flynn (a military pensioner ) and Ellen Kenny, he was baptised in Athlone on 22 December, 1839. This, sadly, rules him out as being in the running for the youngest ever recipient of the Victorian Cross – he was, in fact almost 18 years old when he earned his V.C.
He received his V.C. for “conspicuous bravery in the charge on the enemy’s guns on the 28 November 1857, when being himself wounded he engaged in hand-to-hand encounter with two rebel artillerymen.”
Thomas Flynn died in Athlone Workhouse in 1892 and was buried in an unmarked grave in Cornamagh Cemetery.
The stone, first erected in 2008, with the information then available, has been refurbished by local stone-mason, Brendan McEnroe, thanks to the generous support of the Victoria Cross & George Cross Association and the Staffordshire Regiment Museum.
All are welcome to attend the unveiling ceremony.
