Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of William Griffith and Ada Thomas, of Stawell, Victoria.

Laven’s younger brother 5145 Pte. Charles Victor Firmin Thomas 23rd Battalion AIF was also killed in action during The Battle of Broodseinde in Belgium on 4 October 1917, aged 20.

The two brothers were born at Bulgana, an area about 11 kilometres from Stawell, which today is home to 56 brand new wind turbines. Their image on the landscape would have been unimaginable to these two young diggers 120 years ago.

Laven joined up with the 13th Light Horse but transferred to the Artillery when he arrived in France in early 1916. During July 1916 he was given three days Field Punishment No.2 for failing to remove the nose bags from the horses after they had finished their feed.

From an entry in his Red Cross wounded and missing file, Laven was wounded on 23 August 1916 when four loads of ammunition had arrived at their gun pits near Contalmaison, about two kilometres south of Pozieres. Laven and another gunner came out to unload them. They unloaded half the ammunition and then the Germans started shelling the gun pits. One of the drivers was blown right off his horse and started to run about the gun pits with a bad attack of shell shock. He ran right up to C gun pit and fell, and Laven Thomas rushed out of the gun pit, with another gunner, and tried to pull him into it. While doing so a shell landed five yards from him and both men were severely wounded. Laven Thomas died of his wounds almost three weeks later, but was awarded a Military Medal for his bravery.

The Military Medal could not be awarded posthumously to soldiers who were killed in action during the deed, but as Laven died of wounds some weeks after the event, his medal was awarded.

The recommendation states, “On the evening of the 23rd August, Gunners Thomas and Lewington went to the assistance of a driver who was wounded. Thomas was seriously wounded in attempting to get the driver under cover, but Lewington continuing, eventually brought both wounded into a place of safety.”

The commanding officer of the 13th Stationery Hospital, where Laven Thomas died, stated, “This man was admitted here on 27.8.16 suffering from multiple wounds. He had a serious wound of the left leg, with compound fracture and laceration of the left thigh, wounds of both arms and face, abdominal wall and penetrating wound to the right chest. He was terribly knocked about and was a desperate case throughout. He died from exhaustion on the 15.9.16 and was buried in the Boulogne Cemetery.”

During November 1916, the Stawell News printed the following article.

“Mrs. W. G. Thomas, Bulgana, received a nicely worded letter from J. Ray, of the battery in which her late son, Gunner Laven L. G. Thomas, was connected, and in which he received the wounds which resulted m his death. The officer states: ‘It is with the deepest regret that I have to inform you of the death of your son, No 1306, Gunner L. G Thomas, which sad event took place at the Boulogne Stationary Hospital on the 15th inst. Your boy was wounded at the battery position on the 23rd August whilst rendering assistance to a comrade who had been hit; he was a brave and unselfish man and bore his sufferings with great fortitude he well deserved the very high opinion and esteem in which he was held by his officers and comrades and I cannot convey to you, Dear Madam, the sorrow of all for your loss of so worthy a son. I pray you to accept from me on behalf of the Officers, N.C.O's, and men of my battery, our very deepest sympathy in your sad bereavement.’”

The mother, Ada, wrote to Base Records during June 1917, regarding receiving his Military Medal, “I trust you will convey our thanks to those in Authority and pray that my Charlie may return safely and that this dreadful war may soon be at an end.”

‘Charlie’ was killed in action in Belgium, three months later.