S9040
FAIRLIE, Thomas Craig
| Service Number: | 11150 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | Army Medical Corps (AIF) |
| Born: | Moonta, South Australia, 22 April 1876 |
| Home Town: | Adelaide, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Sturt Street State School |
| Occupation: | Blacksmith |
| Died: | 14 July 1950, aged 74 years, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
West Terrace Cemetery (General) |
| Memorials: | Adelaide South Australian Railways WW1 & WW2 Honour Boards, Adelaide Sturt Street Public School Great War Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 27 Jun 1916: | Involvement Private, 11150, Army Medical Corps (AIF), --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '23' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Barambah embarkation_ship_number: A37 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 27 Jun 1916: | Embarked Private, 11150, Army Medical Corps (AIF), HMAT Barambah, Melbourne | |
| 11 Nov 1918: | Involvement Private, 11150 |
Help us honour Thomas Craig Fairlie's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Adelaide Botanic High School
Thomas Fairlie Craig (1876-1950) was born on 22 April 1876 at Moonta Mines, District Council of Copper Coast, South Australia, a town deeply intertwined with the copper mining industry. He was son of William Hamilton Fairlie, a platelayer, and Margaret Tate Fairlie. Thomas grew up with five brothers William Hamilton (1859-1920), John (1864-1918), James Hamilton (1866-1927), John James (1866-1946), Charles Frederick (1878-1942), At some point the family moved to Adelaide, and Thomas attended Sturt Street State School
Before the war Thomas worked as a Blacksmith. On 9 October 1896, he married Jane Anne Seccombe (1876-1918) in Adelaide. His known children were called William Thomas (1897-1929), Leonard Keith (1905-1906), Sidney Picard (1914-1914), Donald Alexander (1915-1942) and Gregory James (unknown-1944).
On 15 January 1916 at the age of 39 Thomas enlisted at Adelaide and was assigned as a Private in the Australian Army Medical Corps (A.A.M.C.), attached to the 2nd Australian General Hospital. His enlistment papers recorded him as 5 feet 5½ inches tall, weighing 139 Ibs, a chest measurement of 33.34½ inches, grey eyes and auburn hair. His next of kin was listed as his wife, Jane Anne Seccombe.
Thomas embarked from Melbourne on 27 June 1916 on board HMAT A37 Barambah. He arrived in the UK and undertook initial training in at Parkhouse, where recruits were trained not merely in military discipline but moreover medical procedures and hygienic practices. This demanding training prepared soldiers for the demanding condition of wartime hospital. He was temporarily attached to the 1st Australian dermatological hospital at Bulford in 1916. This hospital specialised in treating soldiers suffering from venereal diseases, which were serious concerns in troops returning from the front.
Thomas was posted to France in August 1916, where the A.A.M.C. played a critical role in supporting the front-line troops. Thomas’ work involved medical support, casualty management, and hospital duties rather which were essential for saving lives. Being stationed in France, he witnessed the physical and psychological aspect of war firsthand, including treating soldiers with severe infections, injuries and illness caused by trench condition and poor sanitation.
Thomas found himself in trouble for being absent without leave (AWOL) in September 1916 when he was absent for 22 hours, punished with detention and forfeiture of pay. In December 1916 he was in trouble again this time for disobeying orders and failing to report for duty, resulting in 28 days detention confirmed by court martial.
While overseas, Thomas endured profound personal loss. His wife, Jane died on the 17 December 1918, leaving behind their five children. Custody passed to her mother, Isabella Seccombe, who made statutory declaration to the army requesting that all communication regarding Thomas be redirected to her. Despite these personal hardships, Thomas endured his duties until the end of World War I. He served overseas for 2 years and 306 days.
On 30 April 1919, he embarked from Southampton to return home on the ship 'Plassy'. He disembarked In Australia in June 1919 and was officially discharged on the 12 June 1919. Thomas lived out his years in South Australia and passed away on the 14th of July 1950 at the age of 74. At his death, his address was listed as 74 Halifax St Adelaide and was buried in West Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide (plot Road 2, Path 5, Aspect W, Site No.4).
Reference list:
Thomas Craig Fairlie. (2025). Awm.gov.au. https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R2192501
Thomas Craig Fairlie (1876-1950) | WikiTree FREE Family Tree. (2024, December 12). Wikitree.com. https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Fairlie-66
Thomas Craig Fairlie (1876-1950) - Find a Grave... (2016). Findagrave.com. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/158821766/thomas-craig-fairlie
Terrace, V. (2025). View digital copy. Naa.gov.au. https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=3547053