Private Thomas Henry Beresford
Thomas Henry Beresford was born (as Thomas James) on 22 June 1893 at Ballybentra, Nilteen Grange, County Antrim the last of twelve children of farm labourer Andrew Beresford and his wife Jane (née Gibb). By the time of the 1911 Census he was living at Steeple, Antrim, with his parents and one of his six surviving siblings, and working as a gardener.
Beresford enlisted in the North Irish Horse between 6 and 16 July 1915 (No.1709). He trained at the regiment's Antrim reserve camp before embarking for France in 1916 or the first half of 1917, where he was posted to one of the squadrons then serving in France and Belgium. (Or possibly he embarked with E Squadron on 11 January 1916.)
In May and June 1916 A, D and E Squadrons of the North Irish Horse combined to form the 1st North Irish Horse Regiment, and C and F Squadrons joined the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron to form the 2nd North Irish Horse Regiment, each serving as corps cavalry units until August-September 1917, when the 2nd NIH Regiment was disbanded and its men, together with some surplus to the needs of the 1st NIH Regiment, were transferred to the Royal Irish Fusiliers, an infantry regiment. Most, including Beresford, were transferred on 20 September and posted to the 9th (Service) Battalion. He was issued regimental number 41363.
Very soon after, however, Beresford was transferred to the Royal Irish Rifles (No.47499) and was posted to the 12th Battalion. No information has been discovered about his service with that regiment through the latter part of 1917 and during 1918.
After the war Beresford returned to Antrim and resumed work as a gardener. On 11 August 1920 he married Lillian Mary Crompton in the Baronscourt Parish Church, County Tyrone. They later emigrated to the United States, settling in Los Angeles, California.
One of Beresford's brothers, Edgar, also served in the war, in the 12th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles.