Charles William THOMAS (Private 3323 MM)
Birth: 1890 Bideford, Devonshire, EnglandDeath: 17 April 1918 (age 28) France, Killed in Action Cemetery or Memorial: Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, France Charles was living at The Oaks when he enlisted 26 June 1915 at Liverpool stating his occupation as Farm Hand and his next of kin Mary Thomas of 34 Coigne Terrace Barry Dock, South Wales, UK. He re-enlisted 12 August 1915 at Warwick Farm. He also used the name Leslie Charles Waters. He gave his occupation as Labourer and his next of kin his sister Mrs May Archibald of Premier Street Marrickville and also as above South Wales, UK and later his wife Mary Elizabeth Thomas of 13 Daniel Street Cadoxton Barry, South Wales, UK. His address was c/o C. G.(Charles Green) Moore of The Oaks. He had previously served 2 years and 8 months in the Northumberland Fusiliers, His Majesty's Army. Charles served in the 4th Battalion A.I.F. He departed Sydney on the 'Suevic' 20 December 1915. He arrived France via Egypt March 1916. He was wounded in action (gunshot wound thigh) France 24 July 1916. Charles was awarded the Military Medal in France 20 November 1917. The recommendation for the Military Medal states 'For conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty during the operations at Broodseinde Ridge east of Ypres on 3 to 6 October 1917, Pte. Thomas volunteered when all but one of the Company Stretcher Bearers were wounded, to carry a wounded comrade to the R.A.P. To do so he had to pass through heavy shellfire and constant machine gun fire. He set a very fine example to his comrades.' Mrs N. Lambert of 15 Sargood Street, Coburg, VIC wrote to the army in October 1918 requesting information on Charles stating he was her nephew. Private Charles William THOMAS was killed in action in France 17 April 1918 age 28. |
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