BRITTON, Thomas Henry
| Service Number: | 377 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 24 February 1916, West Maitland, New South Wales |
| Last Rank: | Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | 34th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Black Hall, Dublin, Ireland, date not yet discovered |
| Home Town: | Greta, Cessnock, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Station hand |
| Died: | Died of wounds, France, 21 June 1918, age not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen Officers Plot B, Row 3 Grave 2 |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 24 Feb 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, West Maitland, New South Wales | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 May 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 377, 34th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '17' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Hororata embarkation_ship_number: A20 public_note: '' | |
| 2 May 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 377, 34th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Hororata, Sydney | |
| 21 Jun 1918: | Involvement AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 34th Infantry Battalion, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: awm_unit: 34th Australian Infantry Battalion awm_rank: Lieutenant awm_died_date: 1918-06-21 | |
| Date unknown: | Honoured Military Cross |
WW1
Additional details from the book "Stealth Raiders". Letters from Thomas during the war have been donated by the family, and are maintained by the Australian War Memorial - reference 1DRL/0155.
Submitted 28 January 2020 by Maxwell HILL
WW1
The details provided are taken from the book "Stealth Raiders - a few daring men in 1918" written by Lucas Jordan, published 2017 - refer to pages 44+263. Prior to the war he was a station hand of East Greta NSW. He enlisted 24 Feb 1916. He served with 34 Infantry Battalion, and was awarded the Military Cross for his service, and unfortunately Died of his Wounds 21 June 1918. Lest We Forget.
Submitted 20 January 2020 by Maxwell HILL
Biography contributed by Geoffrey Gillon
34th Battalion, B Company, Australian Infantry, A.I.F.
He was 26 and the son of John and Elizabeth Britton 4 St John Grove, Richmond, Surrey, England.
Address-c/o Mr W Kennedy, East Greta, New South Wales.
Enlistment date 24 February 1916
Place of enlistment West Maitland, New South Wales
Rank on enlistment Private
AWM Embarkation Roll number 23/51/1
Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A20 Hororata on 2 May 1916.
Age at embarkation 26
Sources
NAA: B2455, BRITTON Thomas Henry
He is remembered on the Enniskillen War Memorial.
Biography
34 Battalion
Rank Lt
23 June 1916 Disembarked Plymouth, England, from 'Aragon';
15 September 1916 Promoted to Corporal in 34th Battalion.
21 November 1916 Proceeded to France through Southampton.
24 February 1917 Admitted to 10th Field Ambulance and transferred to 9th Field Ambulance (shrapnel wound, left auricle);
24 February 1917 Discharged to duty;
25 February 1917 Rejoined unit;
19 March 1917 Moved out to anti gas;
24 March 1917 Marched in from anti gas;
5 April 1917 Moved out to Divisional School;
7 June 1917 Joined No 4 Officers Cadet Bn, Oxford;
27 September 1917 Appointed 2nd Lieutenant and posted to General Infantry Reinforcements.
14 October 1917 Proceeded to France through Southampton;
15 October 1917 Marched into 3rd Australian Divisional Base Depot, Havre;
18 October 1917 Marched out to field;
22 October 1917 Taken on strength of 34th Battalion;
26 November 1917 Detached to Brigade School;
2 December 1917 Rejoined unit from detachment;
28 December 1917 Promoted to Lieutenant.
Awrded Military Cross 23 May 1918 Citation reads:
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in leading his platoon in an attack in the face of heavy machine gun and rifle fire. He inflicted many casualties on the enemy, and captured two machine guns. Later he organized a party, and, in face of heavy fire, brought in all dead and wounded. By his splendid example of courage he helped to carry the assault to a successful issue.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 15
Date: 4 February 1919
Medals: Military Cross, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Born in Ireland, grew up in London, sailed to NSW, Australia to work in the Maitland area and enlisted in the AIF there.
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