SHAKESPEARE, Thomas
| Service Number: | 2885 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 7 November 1916, Rutherford, NSW |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 35th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Birmingham, England, 1872 |
| Home Town: | Neath, Cessnock, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Miner |
| Died: | Coal Mine Cave-in, No 2 Colliery, Cessnock, NSW, 20 December 1936 |
| Cemetery: |
Cessnock Cemetery, New South Wales CofE section |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 7 Nov 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2885, 35th Infantry Battalion, Rutherford, NSW | |
|---|---|---|
| 25 Nov 1916: | Involvement Private, 2885, 35th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '17' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Beltana embarkation_ship_number: A72 public_note: '' | |
| 25 Nov 1916: | Embarked Private, 2885, 35th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Beltana, Sydney |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Husband of Mrs Sarah Elizabeth Shakespeare, Abermain PO, Abermain near Cessnock, New South Wales
SYDNEY, Dec. 20. — Thomas Shakes peare (62), a miner, of Wollonbi-road, Cessnock, was killed by a fall of coal at Cessnock No. 2 colliery this afternoon. Shakespeare was buried by several tons of coal which fell from the roof. When extricated he was dead. His workmate, J. McGahn, jumped back just in time and escaped with slight injuries.
The late Mr. Shakespeare was a native of Birmingham, England, and was born 62 years ago. He arrived in Australia just on 40 years ago.
In his early life he was associated with the brass industry, but as a young man he joined the regular army and was drafted with his regiment to India and served four years with the 1st Battalion of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry before coming to Australia.
On arrival in New South Wales, he settled at Stockton, and got employment at the colliery there. He followed the mining industry ever since.
During the World War, he was a resident at Neath. He enlisted and served with the 35th Battalion, and dis service from 1916 in France until the end of hostilities.
On his return to Australia he took up his residence at Cessnock, and followed his occupation at Cessnock No. 2 Colliery.
Well-known and highly esteemed by all, his sudden and tragic demise came as a profound shock to his very many friends, both locally and in the Newcastle and metropolitan areas. He is survived by his widow Mrs. Sarah Shakespeare, four sons (David, Thomas, Morgan and Warwick, all of Cessnock), and one daughter (Miss Maria Shakespeare).
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