Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Private Thomas Henry Mines was born in Rodden, Frome, and was the second son of William and Mary Mines, of Lodge Hill, Rodden, Frome. He left the U.K. in 1911, settling down in Queensland Australia farming. He served with the Australian Infantry for more than one period of service, formerly 511, and 1739. A miner by trade, he joined at the outbreak of war on the 8th of August 1914. Embarked at Cairns, Queensland, Australia, on 14th of August 1914, on the troopship "Kanowna", to take part in the capture of German New Guinea. He returned to Townsville on 18th of September 1914, on account of some trouble caused by firemen on the troopship, and did not participate in the capture of German New Guinea. Thomas was discharged on the 18th of September 1914, records state that 44 days time had expired. He joined as army number 511, and was promoted to Lance Corporal, whilst doing duty with the Matupi Battery, in Rabaul. He was again discharged on the 31st of January 1916, again his records show that time had expired. Thomas joined again on 26th of March 1916, army number 2948. He embarked Brisbane, Australia 27th of October 1916, disembarking at Plymouth on the 9th of January 1917, and after training with the 13th Training Battalion at Codford, was sent to France on the 9th of May 1917. He was killed in action in Belgium on the 7th of June 1917. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate, Ieper, Belgium. Panel 7.17.23.25. His name appears on the Frome War Memorial." Submitted by Lyn Turner.