Major Thomas Joseph Monaghan was born in Dublin on September 24th 1920. He was educated at the Duke of York's Royal Military School, Dover and then enlisted into the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in 1938. When the war broke out, Monaghan was sent to France with the Fusiliers, where he was later evacuated from Dunkirk. Tragically, his older brother died there at the age of 21.  Thereafter, Monaghan was commissioned into the Indian Army as a 2nd Lieutenant on 13th July 1940, joining the 8th Punjab Regiment. He subsequently volunteered for the 152nd Indian Parachute Battalion. 

Monaghan was serving as the Battalion's adjutant in March 1944 when the battle of Sangshak began. This was a brutal week-long delaying action which saved the allies precious time but cost the 152 Battalion dearly. Monaghan recalled that on the final day "Casualties rose steeply. Shell fire disinterred the shallow-buried dead and the stench of bitter warfare pervaded the whole area". The battalion had suffered a staggering 358 casualties, but hurt the enemy even more severely. They withdrew from Sangshak on 26th March.  

Later in the summer, the heavily depleted 152 Battalion was reformed into three light companies who helped drive back the Japanese invasion of India. From June 9th, B Company was made into a mobile reserve of 100th Brigade, and Monaghan became Company Commander. Meanwhile, the Japanese had captured a feature called hill Bastion which threatened Brigade HQ. Although a separate battalion attempted a counterattack supported by tanks, it was not successful. Therefore, on the night of 10th/11th June, Monaghan's B company stepped in to the fray and were at once faced with heavy opposition from LMGs and grenade dischargers. Shot through the thigh, Monaghan continued to lead his men through an assault that culminated in a victorious bayonet charge. Monaghan and Jemadar Abdul Rehman were both awarded the Military Cross for their part in the action, with Monaghan's citation reading:

"On the night 10/11 June, at the SADDLE position at M.S. 18 on the UKHRUL road, the enemy by a surprise attack in force, captured a vital feature called BASTION, within 300 yds of Bde HQ. By morning he had firmly established himself in the positions and subjected our defences in the vicinity to very accurate arty and small arms fire. The first counter attack with tanks failed to dislodge him. B Coy 152 Indian Parachute Bn, Commanded by Major T.J. MONAGHAN, which had been brought forward from protecting the gun positions, was ordered to put in another attack, supported by a tp of Stuart tanks of 7 Cav. Major T.J. MONAGHAN organized this attack with great speed, a vital factor as the enemy were running short of amn and reinforcements carrying replenishment could be seen coming up from the valley. He himself led the attack, and showed the greatest coolness and disregard for danger. It was largely due to his personal leadership and courage that those of the enemy who were not killed were forced to withdraw and the position was regained.

This officer's very fine leadership and cool courage were an inspiration to his men and to all who witnessed the action". 

Monaghan was awarded the Military Cross on 5th October 1944. He stayed with the 152 Battalion throughout its renaming after the war and then rejoined the Inniskilling Fusiliers in 1947, serving with them throughout the partition of India. In 1946, he had married his wife Bridget Keays-Byrne with whom he had four sons and one daughter. Monaghan left the army in 1954, moving to Pakistan to manage various projects as a consultant. He returned to the UK in 1969 where he was active in the Brentford Conservative Club and the Royal British Legion. 

Major Monaghan died on the 28th December 1998. 

Service history:

Joined Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers 1938, serving until Dunkirk

2nd Lieutenant 8th Punjab Regiment 13th July 1940

War Substantive Lieutenant 8th Punjab Regiment 1st July 1941

Temporary Captain 152nd Indian Parachute Battalion 30th January 1943 - April 1944

Acting Major 152nd Indian Parachute Battalion April 1944

Lieutenant 10th November 1945

Captain 24th September 1947

Retired and made honorary Major 7th March 1954

Compiled with information from:

Obituary in the Independent written by Max Arthur: https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/obituary-major-tom-monaghan-1071153.html

India's Paratroopers, A History of the Parachute Regiment of India (London, 1975), K.C. Praval 

Airborne Assault Archive (Boxes 3 H4 20.1.1, 3 H4 20.1.2 and 3 H4 20.1.3)

Article written by Alex Walker