WILSON, Thomas

Thomas was a son of John and Mary Wilson who lived in the Inverell district where his birth was registered in 1881. Thomas enlisted at Armidale in October 1916 after passing a medical examination at Moree the previous month. He stated he was a thirty five year old married man working as a Labourer.

He joined the 4th Battalion 23rd Reinforcement and left Australia on HMAT A29 Suevic in November 1916. After three months training in England he was sent to France in May 1917. Thomas was killed in action in September and has no known grave.

A friend wrote to his wife saying … ‘Tom was killed by a German shell about ten yards from where I was standing … death was instantaneous and we buried him in the early hours of the morning of the next day… he died a brave and true-hearted soldier, with never a blemish on his character…’ (Warialda Standard, 3 December 1917)

The few remaining person effects belonging to Thomas were returned to his wife Christina and included photos, wallet and medallions. She was granted a pension of two pounds per fortnight with extra for each of their four children.

Thomas has his name recorded on the Wallangra and Warialda Honor Rolls.