THOMAS, George Edward
| Service Number: | 3939 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 1 November 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 51st Infantry Battalion (WW1) |
| Born: | Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia, June 1898 |
| Home Town: | Fremantle, Fremantle, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Fremantle Boys School, Western Australia |
| Occupation: | Seaman |
| Died: | Killed in action, Mouquet Farm, France, 3 September 1916 |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, Picardie, France |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Fremantle 849 Memorial, Kings Park Western Australia State War Memorial, South Fremantle Wesley Church WWI Honor Roll, Villers-Bretonneux Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 1 Nov 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3939, 28th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 12 Feb 1916: | Involvement Private, 3939, 28th Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières , --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '16' embarkation_place: Fremantle embarkation_ship: HMAT Miltiades embarkation_ship_number: A28 public_note: '' | |
| 12 Feb 1916: | Embarked Private, 3939, 28th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Miltiades, Fremantle | |
| 3 Sep 1916: | Involvement Private, 3939, 51st Infantry Battalion (WW1), Battle for Pozières , --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 3939 awm_unit: 51 Battalion awm_rank: Private awm_died_date: 1916-09-03 |
Private George Edward (Ted) Thomas, 51st Battalion – A Young Sailor from Fremantle
George Edward Thomas was born in June 1898 in Fremantle to John and Emily Thomas (nee Mann). George Edward (affectionally known as Ted) was their only son. He had four sisters, Cherry, Janet (Nettie), Constance (Connie), and Gwendoline (Gwen). Their modest home was at 41 Silas Street, South Fremantle.
Ted was educated at Fremantle Boys State School and became a Telegraph Messenger. Prior to enlisting in the AIF, Ted served in the school cadets. After the age of 14 he joined the Naval Cadets. Once he completed his education he worked as a sailor.
Seeking Adventure
His sister, young Gwendolin, remembered that he enlisted, as many young men did, seeking an adventure of a lifetime. It was one of the few ways at that time to see the world. Tragically, this great adventure was his last. Ted enlisted in Perth at the Francis Street Drill Hall on the 21st October 1915. He was only 17 when he enlisted, but he wanted to go, so he lied about his age and claimed he was 18 ½ to sign the oath.
Upon his medical examination Ted was described as having blue eyes and fair hair. From his time as a sailor, he had several tattoos that were noted as distinguishing marks. A tattoo of clasped hands and a ship on adorned his left upper arm, and a flag - Gwen and clasped hands on his left forearm. Clearly patriotic, on his right forearm was the Australian coat of arms and Advance Australia.
After training at Blackboy Hill Camp in the Darling Scarp, Ted was assigned to the 9th Reinforcements to the 28th Battalion AIF. He trained with this group until he 12th February 1916 when he boarded the HMAT Miltiades and set sail for Egypt. The staggering four-week voyage across the Indian Ocean to Egypt has been described as “the longest journey to war in the history of the world”.
The Desert on the Other Side of the World
The 28th Battalion arrived in early March 1916 where they were sent to the 7th Training battalion at Serapeum Camp. Ted remained only a few weeks before being assigned to the 51st Battalion on the 2nd April 1916. He trained with this unit in Egypt until the end of May 1916.
During this time at Serapeum Ted wrote letters home to his little sister, Gwendoline:
The nature of the people and their manners greatly amused me at first but now I am used to it and can speak a good bit of their lingo.
These were some of the last words received by the family from Ted:
We are having a good time and hope it remains the same. Well Gwen, I hope that you are well and in good health and hope that all home are the same… Give Laddie my best thoughts and don’t tease him more than you can help. Well I must close wishing to be remembered to all at home so with my best regards. Your Loving Brother, Ted xxxx
The 51st Battalion then proceeded to Alexandria where they embarked on the HMT Ivernia and set sail for France. After arriving in Marseilles on 12 June 1916, they boarded trains destined for the Armentieres region of Northern France. Ted and the 51st Battalion quickly moved into the Western Front trenches and fought their first major battles at Mouquet Farm in August and September, which was unsuccessful. On both occasions suffering significant casualties.
On the 3rd of September 1916 Ted was listed as missing. It was likely he was killed in action at this time. The attacks mounted against the German troops at Mouquet Farm cost over 11,000 Australian lives. All were unsuccessful.
A Beloved Son and Brother
Ted’s mother, Emily Thomas, wrote several letters attempting to determine her son’s final resting place and sought to recover any personal belongings. Unfortunately, due to the conditions in which he died no information could be provided to his mother or family. One report from 3rd of March 1917 indicates that it is likely he was buried by troops under the command of Major R. Allen of the 11th British Division at Mouquet Farm where he fell.
George Edward Thomas is commemorated at Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, on the Roll of Honour at Australian War Memorial and on the Kings Park War Memorial in Perth Western Australia. He is continued to be remembered by his family.
RIP Ted.
Sources
George Edward Thomas Biography, City of Fremantle Local History Centre, Thomas, George Edward | City of Fremantle Local Histhttps://history.fremantle.wa.gov.au/nodes/view/47205ory Centre
National Archives of Australia
Australian War Memorial
Submitted 24 April 2026 by Megan Schlipalius
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