Born in Burnley, Lancashire.
He was educated at the Royal Hibernian School, Dublin, his father having served in the 95th Foot.
Enlisted at Dublin on the 7th of March 1840 and "To go to the Band."
Age. 14.
Height: 4' 8".
Trade: Shoe-maker.
Attained "Man's Pay" (age of 15 years) on the 8th of February 1841. He was then serving in the Band.
From Private to Trumpeter: 12th of March 1846.
Reduced to Private by a Regimental Court-martial on the 10th of October 1850.
Sent to the Depot at Brighton on the 19th of April 1854.
Tried by a District Court-martial on the 12th of June 1854 for being "drunk on picket". Awarded 50 lashes and stoppage of 1d. per day for 30 days.
Embarked for the Crimea, as one of a party of seven, on the 24th of June 1854 and joined the regiment at Varna on the 13th of August.
Rode with No. 4 Troop, (T.S.M. O'Hara.) See copy of the Troop muster roll in the 17th Lancer Scrapbook.
Next of kin: Mother, Caroline Corcoran, living in Dublin.
Killed in action at Balaclava, 25th of October 1854.
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Balaclava, Sebastopol, and the Turkish medal.
The Returned Medal book states "Crimean medal sent to the Mint. No trace of issue".
Further medal information archived.Killed in action at Balaclava, 25th of October 1854.
In 1985 the Assistant Secretary of the "Lloyd's Patriotic Fund" wrote to say that whilst carrying out some research into the Fund's early records he had come across the Minute Book for the 6th May 1859:
""Read — An application recommended by the Reverend Robert Hennesey, of St. James's, Dublin, from Caroline Corcoran, the widowed mother dependant for many years, as testified by Adjutant John Chadwick, late 17th Lancers, re her late son, Thomas Corcoran, Trumpeter in that Regiment, killed in the Charge at Balaclava, October 25th 1854... Resolved — That the sum of £5 be given to Caroline Corcoran..."