Virtual
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Australia

Biography as published on Find a Grave

Born in 1888 in Eastbourne, Sussex, England to George & Louisa Mullens. (nee Miller)

Thomas Mullens married Edith Rose Turner in the district of Amesbury, Wiltshire in September quarter, 1916. They had married at the Amesbury Register Office.

Father of Kathleen M. Mullens born 1918

Private Thomas Mullens embarked from Adelaide on HMAT Afric (A19) on 9th June, 1916 & disembarked at Southampton, England on 24th July, 1916.

Thomas Mullens was a 27 year old, single, Cook from Adelaide, South Australia when he enlisted on 3rd April, 1916 with the 11th Infantry Brigade, 43rd Infantry Battalion, 1st Reinforcements of the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.). His service number was 1675 & his religion was Church of England. His next of kin was listed as his mother – Mrs Louisa Mullens of 9 Salehurst Rd, Eastbourne, Sussex, England.

Private Thomas Mullens was wounded in action in France on 4th July, 1917, with gunshot wounds to chest.
Private Thomas Mullens was transfered to The King George Hospital, Stamford Street, London on 9th July, 1917. The Hospital Admissions form records – “Notes from France – Wounded July 4, 1917. Paralysis both lower limbs. X-ray shows F.B. fracture of one or two vertebrae. On admission – Wound right side of chest – 1” behind Posher Axillry line in 7th space…...” His condition was reported as dangerous.

Private Thomas Mullens died at 2.30 am (Hospital Admissions form has time of death at 2 am) on 26th July, 1917 at The King George Hospital, Stamford Street, London from wounds received in action in France – gunshot wounds to spine & chest.

Private Thomas Mullens was buried at 3 pm on 30th July, 1917 in Ocklynge Cemetery, Eastbourne, East Sussex, England, in a private grave - Plot number L. 257, next to the grave of his father. Pte Mullens has a Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone.

By special request of the widow and mother of the deceased soldier the remains were removed to Eastbourne for private funeral. The relatives asked to be allowed to decline a Military funeral. The remains were interred in a private family grave adjoining the grave his father.

NOTE: Younger brother – Private Arthur George Mullens, 53245, 20th Battalion Royal Fusiliers. Killed In action 21st May, 1917, aged 21. Remembered on Bay 3, Arras Memorial, France as he has no known grave.

The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick (OAM) – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in England/UK/Scotland/Ireland”

Thomas Mullens was born in 1888 in Eastbourne, Sussex, England to parents George & Louisa Mullens (nee Miller).

A death was registered in the district of Eastbourne, Sussex, in the March quarter of 1902, for George Mullens, aged 48.

On 3rd April, 1916 Thomas Mullens enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) as a 27 year old, single, Cook from Adelaide, South Australia.

He was written up while at Camp at Morphetville, South Australia for being absent without leave from 9 am to 4.30 pm on 9th May, 1916 & was fined 10/-.

Private Thomas Mullens, Service number 1675, embarked from Adelaide, South Australia on HMAT Afric (A19) on 9th June, 1916 with the 11th Infantry Brigade, 43rd Infantry Battalion, 1st Reinforcements & disembarked at Southampton, England on 24th July, 1916.

Reinforcements were only given basic training in Australia. Training was completed in training units in England. Some of these were located in the Salisbury Plain & surrounding areas in the county of Wiltshire.

On 7th August, 1916 Private Mullens was taken on strength with 11th Training Battalion.

Thomas Mullens married Edith R. Turner in the district of Amesbury, Wiltshire in September quarter, 1916. They had married at the Amesbury Register Office.

He proceeded overseas to France from 11th Training Battalion on 9th September, 1916 & was transferred to 27th Battalion. Private Mullens was admitted to 2nd Divisional Base Depot at Etaples from England on 11th September, 1916. He proceeded to join his Unit on 28th September, 1916 & was taken on strength in Belgium with 27th Battalion on 28th September, 1916.

On 18th January, 1917 Private Mullens was transferred & taken on strength with Anzac Light Railways from 27th Battalion.

Private Mullens was admitted to 12th Australian Field Ambulance on 4th February, 1917 with a septic foot. He was transferred to D.R.S. (Divisional Rest Station) the same day then transferred to Casualty Clearing Station on 23rd February, 1917. Private Mullens was transferred to 21 Ambulance Train on 25th February, 1917 & admitted to 11th Stationary Hospital at Rouen on 26th February, 1917 with I.C.T. left heel. He embarked from Rouen for England on 28th February, 1917 on the Hospital Ship “St. Patrick”.

On 1st March, 1917 Private Mullens was admitted to 1st Southern General Hospital with I.C.T. foot. He was granted furlo on 23rd March, 1917 to 3rd April, 1917 & was then to report to Perham Downs.

He was marched in from furlo to No. 1 Command Depot at Perham Downs, Wiltshire on 4th April, 1917. He was medically classified as B1 A4 (Fit for Overseas training Camp when passed dentally fit) & listed as having Septic foot & Rheumatism.

Private Mullens was marched in to H. & D. (Hardening & Drafting) Depot at Perham Downs on 27th April, 1917 then marched out to Camp H.Q. at Perham Downs on 28th April, 1917.

On 27th May, 1917 Private Mullens proceeded Overseas to France with 43rd Battalion from No’s 4 & 5 Camp, Perham Downs. He was marched in to 3rd A.D.B.D. (Australian Divisional Base Depot) at Etaples, France from England on 28th May, 1917. Private Mullens was marched out to his Unit from Rouelles on 16th June, 1917 & was taken on strength with 43rd Battalion in the field on 18th June, 1917.

Private Thomas Mullens was wounded in action in France on 4th July, 1917. He was admitted to 9th Field Ambulance with gunshot wounds to chest then transferred to 2nd Australian Casualty Clearing Station. Private Mullens was taken by Ambulance Train on 7th July, 1917 to Boulogne where he was admitted to 3rd Canadian General Hospital on 8th July, 1917. Private Mullens embarked for England from Boulogne on 9th July, 1917 on Hospital Ship “St Denis”.

On 9th July, 1917 Private Mullens was admitted to The King George Hospital, Stamford Street, London. The Hospital Admissions form records – “Notes from France – Wounded July 4, 1917. Paralysis both lower limbs. X-ray shows F.B. fracture of one or two vertebrae. On admission – Wound right side of chest – 1” behind Posher Axillry line in 7th space…...”  His condition was reported as dangerous.

Private Thomas Mullens died at 2.30 am (Hospital Admissions form has time of death at 2 am) on 26th July, 1917 at The King George Hospital, Stamford Street, London from wounds received in action in France – gunshot wounds to spine & chest.

He was buried in Ocklynge Cemetery, Eastbourne, East Sussex, England, in a private grave - Plot number L. 257, next to the grave of his father. Private Mullens now has a Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone.

(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)

https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/eastbourne.html