Enright, Thomas John

Thomas John Enright was born in Renfrew, Ontario, on 14 August 1886. He was the youngest of Michael and Catherine Enright’s seven children.

A miner, Enright enlisted in the 30th Canadian Infantry Battalion (Lanark & Renfrew) in Toronto, Ontario, on 11 November 1915. On his attestation paper, he noted that he had militia military experience, having served for a short period of time in the 37th Battalion in Canada. He did not explain why he left the 37th Battalion. Enright’s time with the 130th Battalion was also short. Records suggest that, three months after enlisting, he was no longer with the unit. Again, no information exists as to why he left.

Enright re-enlisted in his hometown on 27 September 1916, joining the 240th Canadian Infantry Battalion (Lark & Renfrew). He initially served in Canada and was promoted to corporal on 1 November 1916 and to acting sergeant on 22 February 1917.

On 6 March 1917, Enright married Elva Audrey Macfarlane in Lanark, Ontario. Eight weeks later, on 30 April 1917, he was shipped to England on SS Megantic. Arriving in Liverpool on 14 May 1917, he proceeded to Seaford Camp, in Kent. Enright served in England until 18 January 1918, when he went to France to serve with the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry.

Enright was shot in the right shoulder on 24 September 1918, but, being only slightly wounded, he remained on duty with his unit. Four days later, he was hospitalized after being wounded and gassed. Once he recovered, he joined his unit on 22 October 1918.

Enright survived the war and was discharged in Ottawa on 19 March 1919. He died on 1 August 1944 in Carleton Place, Ontario. Military authorities believed that his war injuries contributed to his death.

Thomas John Enright is buried in Beechwood Cemetery, Ottawa, Ontario.