CULBERTSON, Thomas
| Service Number: | 6503 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 27 March 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 11th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Ballymoney, Ireland, date not yet discovered |
| Home Town: | Fremantle, Fremantle, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Royal Perth Hospital, Western Australia, 16 March 1954, cause of death not yet discovered, age not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Karrakatta Cemetery & Crematorium, Western Australia Seventh Day Adventist BA Portion, grave 0012 |
| Memorials: | Armadale Bedfordale Roll of Honour, Armadale War Memorial, Bedfordale Roll of Honour, Fremantle Scots Church Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 27 Mar 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 6503, 11th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Oct 1916: | Involvement Private, 6503, 11th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Fremantle embarkation_ship: HMAT Suffolk embarkation_ship_number: A23 public_note: '' | |
| 10 Oct 1916: | Embarked Private, 6503, 11th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Suffolk, Fremantle | |
| 15 Aug 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 6503, 11th Infantry Battalion |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Helen Harmer
Thomas Culbertson was born in Ballymoney, Ireland. He first tried to enlist on the 25.6.15 but was rejected as unfit because of insufficient teeth. He presented himself again at Perth on 27.3.16 and enlisted as a Private with service number 6503. He was appointed to the 11th Infantry Battalion and sent to signal school on the 31.11.1916. Whilst on service in France, on the 18.8.1917, he was detached to the 1st Division Signal Company. At enlistment, Thomas was 25 years 11 months old, a labourer and Presbyterian. He was described as being 5 feet 3½ inches tall, with a chest measurement of 35-38 inches, fresh complexion, blue eyes and light brown hair. Initially his father, Samuel Culbertson, of Hampton Rd Beaconsfield, was listed as next of kin, but this was changed to wife Daisy J Culbertson of Leederville, then Money St Perth. Daisy’s family had Glen Farm at Muchea. Thomas embarked on the Suffolk at Fremantle on the 10.10.16. In May 1917, he was AWL for 4 days, and in March 1918, another 4 days. Total forfeiture of pay was 39 days. He returned to Australia on the Somali on 1.6.19 and was discharged on the 15.8.1919.
Sadly, on February 25, 1919, at the Children's Hospital, Perth, his son Harry Valentine Buck died at the age of 1 year 8 months. The death notice lists grandmother Mrs AH Spice as living in Muchea. After the war, Thomas took up 160 acres of land 2 miles northwest of Muchea. In 1923 he was selling tomatoes by the case or half-case. In 1924, the land in his name was offered for tender.
Thomas died on March 16, 1954, aged 65, at Royal Perth Hospital. His residence was in Wharf St, Queens Park. Death notices list children Dot and Keith and their children Keith, Theresa and Ann, Vi and Reg and their daughter Margaret, and father-in-law Arthur Spice. They describe him as “One of God’s gentlemen” and “a sufferer at rest”. He is buried at Karrakatta Cemetery in the Seventh Day Adventist BA section, grave 0012.
NAA WW1 Service Record Barcode 6516410 Second enlistment 3474185
Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954) Fri 7 Mar 1919 Page 26 Family Notices
The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954) Sat 17 Feb 1923 Page 15 Advertising
Sunday Times (Perth, WA : 1902 - 1954) Sun 21 Dec 1924 Page 23 AKrieoltaral Bank Act 1906, industries Ausixtance Act 1915 and Amendment Acts.
The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954) Fri 19 Mar 1954 Page 32 Family Notices
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