Career
Drummer Thomas Flinn
Date of Acting of Bravery, 28th November, 1857
Foreign conspicuous gallantry, in the charge on the Enemy"s guns on the 28th November, 1857, when, being himself wounded, he engaged in a hand to hand encounter two of the Rebel Artillerymen. After he left the army, he fell on hard times and was sent to Athlone Workhouse. After reference to Flinn"s previous gallantry, Sullivan asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office Street John Brodrick:
..whether he is aware that Flinn was awarded a pension of £10 a year for his valorous conduct, which sum the Guardians of the Athlone Union appropriate towards his maintenance.
And whether some small increase could be made, so as to enable him in his old age to end his days more comfortably than in a workhouse? Brodrick replied that:
This case is well known at the War Office.
The poor man is a victim to drink to such an extent that when he had the control of his money he only left the workhouse for the purpose of drinking up his annuity as soon as received. lieutenant would consequently be useless to consider his case for an increase.
Flynn died in the workhouse on 10 August 1892. A memorial plaque was erected in the Garrison Church, Whittington Barracks, Lichfield, Staffordshire.