Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

941 Private Thomas Gully, C Company, 32nd Battalion (8Bde, 5Div) joined the AIF in Katanning, WA, 15 July, 1915. Sailed to Suez 18 December, 1915 (too late for Gallipoli) then to Marseilles 23 June, 1916. Moved to Western Front. In July 1916 was in billets at Fleurbaix. On 18 July at 2230hrs A & C Companies, reconnoitered enemy wire in no man's land. They cut their own wire to allow access to own troops at the start of the Fromelles attack. On 19 July at 1730 hrs C & D Companies were in the right flank position of 32 Battalion, which was on the left flank of the pending Brigade attack on Fromelles (Delangre Farm was to their left). At 1753 hrs, C (Thomas' Company) & D Companies, who were in the first and second wave of the attack, began moving over the parapets. At 1800 hrs the attack began. Simultaneously, the enemy artillery barrage and machine gun fire began and continued through the night. 32 Battalion broke through the German lines and continued forward. However, the Germans were reinforced and at 0400 on 20 July launched a counter attack on the left flank, towards 32 Battalion. Delangre Farm, in front of the battalion was being used as a German machine gun post and bomb storage facility and the attack stemmed from there. 32 Battalion was bombed out of the gained ground back towards the start point of their attack. Thomas was killed during this action. At 0730 hrs, 20 July, 32 Battalion withdrew and began returning to the billets at Fleurbaix.
Thomas GULLY, was never recovered from the battle field. His name is inscribed on Memorial Panel 5 at VC Corner Australian Cemetery, Fromelles, France.