Anyone else heard the story of this Character? IRA, U.S. Army, Spanish Civil War, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, Royal Irish Fusiliers. Boxer, Drinker, Pow. Served right through to the 1960's. Germany, Korea, Kenya. Can't find a shred of evidence except that in his book. Is it all true? Is any of it true? Conor
From Ancestry: Thomas J. "Red " Cushing Birth: 8 Oct 1909 - Tipperary, Ireland Death: 13 Nov 1981 - Cork, Ireland Marriage: Jul-Aug-Sep 1946 (Jul 1946) - Tipperary, Ireland Marriage photo: UK, Military Campaign Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1949 for T Cushing Palestine 1945-1948 A short story of his life from Ancestry: Thomas Cushin (according to his birth certificate) was born in Tipperary town and lived with his grandmother in Carrick-on-Suir, Ireland. Thomas was an IRA messenger at age 10, and imprisoned for revolutionary activity at age 14. He joined the army in 1926 and was still in the British Army in 1962. He was also in the US army, fighting in Spain, and embroiled in five wars. He was held prisoner in World War II. After a lifetime with the American and British army, he wrote a book about his exploits called Soldier for Hire (The Many Army Careers of Red Cushing.) in 1962. In the book he talks of marrying an Irish nurse called NANGLE. In 1962 his wife and 2 children were living in East Grinstead, England. Bridget died when Thomas was quite young and he went to live with his grandmother who was a St John. Thomas had 1 brother and 2 sisters. When he was 16 or so he emigrated to America to live with an aunt and uncle along with one of his sisters and his brother John. He joined the American army he eventually ended up back in the UK and his sister and brother stayed in America. My Aunt Bridget (my father’s sister) stayed in Tipperary when her siblings went to America . I do know that my dad, his brother John and sister Helen (Ellen) went to live with an Aunt and Uncle who owned a business in Brooklyn in New York . My father joined the American army, when I don’t know but he did fight in the Spanish civil war on the American side. His brother John joined the American air force and was in England during the 2nd World War, he married Elizabeth (Betty) and went on to have 4 children. Michael, Elizabeth, Kathleen and Richard who died at the age of 16. As far as I am aware they still live in Brooklyn . Their sister married a man with the surname of Guffy she had no children and lived in Brownsville Texas . My Aunt Bridget never married. The only thing that is really strange is that I do know that Hayes is a family name on my father's side but in what connection I'm not sure. Thomas emigrated from Ireland to the USA with his brother John and his sister Ellen on 17 Sep 1926. Might be worth obtaining a copy of his book highlighted in red above TD
Thank you both for replying. The ancestry post by his son??? Has provided a lot of new information which is great. And thanks to the medal roll I think I now have a service number. It looks like I've been able to locate a birth and marriage record but still struggling with some things. Unable to locate him in POW records. Can't find him in 1911 Irish census. Passenger lists. 1930 U.S. Census. So still proving elusive in some areas. As for the book, I have a copy at home hence my interest. Thanks again Conor
Possible marriage details Ireland Civil Registration Marriages Index, 1845-1958 Name: Thomas Cushing Date of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep, 1946 Registration district: Tipperary, Ireland Volume: 3 Page Number: 399 FHL Film Number: 101580 Records on Page: Name Mary Bridget Nolan Patrick Barrett Mary Hennessy Thomas Cushing Thomas Cushion Patrick Quinlivan Mary Kavanagh Josephine Nagle Patrick Joseph Nagle TD edited to add: A link to some more info which you may or may not already have - http://www.reocities.com/IrelandSCW/ibvol-CushingMem.htm
Hi there, my mother often spoke of Tom Cushing and also Nanny St John (but pronounced the name as Singeon). My Mother's name Ellen Touhy she passed 2012. Born in Tipperary. Her mother, my grandmother, was named Margaret, maiden name Hayes. Married Michael Touhy. Margaret's mother died in childbirth. My grandfather Hayes had red hair. I wonder if that is of interest.
This is my Grandad. He escaped the POW camp 3 times in total. Once cought the third time the put him in a maximum security prison sharing a cell with Stirling's son. He was the last person to see him alive.
Hi Frank, Joseph Stalin, sorry my phone seemed to have changed what I had put down. I’ll see if I can get more information from my mother when I see her next. She’s Red’s daughter. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakov_Dzhugashvili