'True' Enniskillener Thomas McBrien – a World War II veteran who was a recipient of the Burma Star medal – has died at the age of 102.

Thomas, late of Derrin Road, Enniskillen, passed away on Friday, November 18. He was born 'between the bridges' in the town on March 18, 1920.

At the age of 19, he began his RAF Electrician training, and joined the war efforts as an Aircraftsman First Class, and a member of the RAF technical grounds crew in April, 1939.

He trained in Yorkshire and moved across various bases in England, including Lincolnshire and Leeds, and was posted to the Middle East. During this period, he worked on Squadron 61.

While he was overseas, the war effort took him to many places, including Singapore, the west coast of Africa, as well as Burma, and other parts of the area that are now divided up as India and Pakistan because of partition.

Thomas spent this period of World War II in Squadron 205, where he mainly worked on Catalina aircrafts.

When D-Day occurred, Thomas was in India. Speaking to The Impartial Reporter last year as he celebrated his 101st birthday, he recalled how many members of the public respected the military in Burma, and said: “They would have stood to one side of the streets [when we passed].”

After the war, he returned to England via the Mediterranean, and worked briefly in London before returning home to Enniskillen.

Arranged by Enda Love and Sons Funeral Directors, Thomas' funeral took place yesterday (Wednesday, November 23) at St. Michael's Church, Enniskillen, followed by burial in Cross Cemetery.

Beloved husband of the late Bridie, and loving father of Kathleen (Hazlett), Christina (Francie), Kevin and Michael (Maggie), Thomas is very sadly missed by his sons, daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, daughter-in-law, sons-in-law, and the family circle, neighbours and friends.