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RIFLEMAN THOMAS TRUEMAN Rifleman Thomas Trueman of LOL 240 was one of the most decorated local heroes of the Great War, being awarded four war medals for his part in the Allied victory of 1914-18. Rifleman Trueman of the 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) on 16th January 1916 for conspicuous gallantry in the face of the enemy at Armentiers, a fact noted at the time in the London Gazette.
His citation reads: "For conspicuous gallantry. He bombed the enemy in the most fearless manner, killing several of them. Later on his way back he picked up a wounded NCO of the Royal Engineers and carried him on his back into safety under heavy fire." He was the first Newtownards man to be awarded a medal in the First World War, and the medal rests to this day with his grand-daughter in Newtownards along with his others awards: The 1914-15 Star; British War Medal and Allied Victory Medal. Thomas Trueman returned from the war to live out his days in the town until his death in 1987 aged 93. |
