HURDIS, Thomas

Thomas was the son of John and Harriet Hurdis of Sydney. His birth was registered in 1890 at Newtown NSW. He attended Leichhardt Public School and became a member of the junior cadets.

Thomas was living in the Yetman district, north of Inverell when he went to Sydney to enlist in September 1916. Although it is not clear where he was living at the time he gave his address as care of the Wilby Hotel, Mobinbri via Warialda. His decision to enlist might have been because his nineteen year old brother John had been killed in action two months earlier.

Thomas joined the 59th Battalion, 7th Reinforcement and left Australia on HMAT A19 Afric in November 1916, arriving in England the following January. After three months training he was sent to France at the end of March 1917. At the end of September he was wounded in action and died of these wounds on 3 October 1917. His burial took place at Mont Huon Military Cemetery, Le Treport, France. His few remaining personal possessions were returned to his Mother and included a silver watch and strap, wallet, letters and unit colours.

One hundred years after his death, Thomas’ skull was located in a museum in America. Due to the severe head injuries the skull was apparently removed for medical study and later donated to the museum. During July 2018 the skull was returned to France for burial in Thomas’ grave.

Private Thomas Hurdis has his name recorded on the Yetman Honor Roll.