Mr Thomas Flannigan ¹ was born at 7 Faloons Court in Belfast, Ireland on 20 August 1866. Hailing from a Roman Catholic family, he was the son of Edward Flannigan, a mariner, and Mary Ann McLaughlin. 

He was married in St Joseph’s Church, Belfast on 5 March 1889 to Mary O’Loan (b. circa 1866) and the couple would welcome six children, five surviving infancy: Mary (b. December 1891), Edward (b. April 1894), Margaret-Jane (b. September 1897), Daniel (b. February 1900) and Brigid (b. June 1909).

The 1901 census shows the family living at 46 Marine Street and the 1911 census at 31 Marine Street and on both occasions, Flannigan was described as a ship’s fireman. His son Edward was an ordinary seaman whilst younger son Daniel would also later work at sea, he as a fireman.

 
Thomas’ sons Edward (left) and Daniel as young seafarers

Flannigan’s ship prior to Titanic had been the Woodcock. He joined Titanic at Belfast for the delivery trip to Southampton where he then disembarked.

Thomas Flannigan died in Belfast on 20 November 1941 and was buried in Milltown Cemetery. His widow Mary died in March the following year.