DEARNESS, Thomas George
| Service Numbers: | 3058, 3058A |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 18 September 1915, Brisbane, Queensland |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 47th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Townsville, Queensland,Australia, 17 August 1893 |
| Home Town: | Townsville, Townsville, Queensland |
| Schooling: | South Townsville State School, Queensland, Australia |
| Occupation: | Insurance clerk |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Messines, Belgium, 7 June 1917, aged 23 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Menin Gate Memorial (Commonwealth Memorial to the Missing of the Ypres Salient), Townsville Cenotaph |
World War 1 Service
| 18 Sep 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3058, Brisbane, Queensland | |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Dec 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 3058, 25th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '15' embarkation_place: Brisbane embarkation_ship: HMAT Itonus embarkation_ship_number: A50 public_note: '' | |
| 30 Dec 1915: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 3058, 25th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Itonus, Brisbane | |
| 9 Mar 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 47th Infantry Battalion | |
| 7 Aug 1916: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 3058, 47th Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières , GSW (head) | |
| 7 Jun 1917: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 3058A, 47th Infantry Battalion, Battle of Messines, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 3058A awm_unit: 47th Australian Infantry Battalion awm_rank: Private awm_died_date: 1917-06-07 |
Help us honour Thomas George Dearness's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Christine Dearness
Thomas George Dearness was born in 1893 in Townsville, Queensland, the son of Mary and George. He had three younger brothers. He was killed in action in 1917 at the Battle of Messines, Belgium at the age of 24.
His brother 6007 Pte. James Naismith Dearness (/explore/people/101092), born on 15 February 1897 in Townsville, Queensland, also served in France with the AIF and again in WW2.
Thomas George Dearness was an insurance clark until at age 22 he enlisted in September 1915 with the AIF 25th Battalion, 7th Reinforcements.
On arrival Egypt Dec 1915, he was taken into 47th Battalion, this Battalion bacame a mixture of fresh recruits such as Thomas, and veterans of the Gallipoli Campaign.
In Aug 1916 Thomas became one of many thousands of casulties of the battle of Pozieres. He was evacuated to the Bradford War Hospital, England. He rejoined his 47th in France. To his and his younger brother James' joy they were able to meet before the next battle. The previous year at age 18, James had enlisted into the AIF 9th Battalion. Two months later Tom was killed in action at the Battle of Messines. His remains were never recovered from the battlefield.
He was an excellent signalman. It is noted on his war record that he achieved 299 points from a possible 300 on his training exam.
His family greived deeply over his loss. They were relieved when James returned to them in 1919.
Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Click images to start slideshow.