Lost when the steamship Ravensbourne sank off the Tyne after striking a mine.
Thomas was born in 1888, the son of Thomas Gilfoyle (born Hartlepool), and Mary Gilfoyle (nee McKee), who was born in Glasgow. He was one of ten surviving children from a total of eleven.
In 1891 the family are listed as living at 91, High Street, Hartlepool, and his father is listed as a labourer. The 1911 Census Thomas senior is listed as a barman at 137, Lynn Street, West Hartlepool, and his mother is listed as a Wardrobe Dealer, Second hand.
In 1915 Thomas junior married Sarah Evelyne Warcup, from Dinnington, Northumberland, whose father was a hotel manager living in a tavern at 155a Durham Street. They had two daughters, Mary born in 1815, and Lilian born in 1917.
Memorial records show Thomas was living at 3, Wells Street, Hartlepool, or 139, Lynn Street, West Hartlepool.
