WATTS, Thomas Langford
| Service Number: | 1003 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 20 July 1915, Liverpool, New South Wales |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 30th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | North Shore, New South Wales, Australia, 1897 |
| Home Town: | Hurstville, Kogarah, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Printer |
| Died: | Killed in Action, France (Battle of Fromelles), 20 July 1916 |
| Cemetery: |
Rue-Petillon Military Cemetery, Fleurbaix, Bethune, Nord Pas de Calais I K 59 Personal Inscription WE HAVE LOST HEAVEN HAS GAINED ONE OF THE BEST THE WORLD CONTAINED |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 20 Jul 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1003, Liverpool, New South Wales | |
|---|---|---|
| 9 Nov 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 1003, 30th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '16' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Beltana embarkation_ship_number: A72 public_note: '' | |
| 9 Nov 1915: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 1003, 30th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Beltana, Sydney | |
| 20 Jul 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 1003, 30th Infantry Battalion, Fromelles (Fleurbaix) |
Help us honour Thomas Langford Watts's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Geoffrey Gillon
The little message left on this headstone in Row K of Private Thomas Langford Watts, killed on 2oth July aged just 19.
They were good friends, they joined on the same day- their service numbers were 1002 & 1003.
Syd Wells was Wounded in Action and eventually returned to Australia aboard HT “Beltana” then discharged medically unfit on 18th January 1918
The note says ‘Thank you for the life of Sydney Bryden Wells – 20.7.16 – Reg No 1002 – 30thBn 5th Division AIF’.
Concerning Sydney Bryden Wells and the message on the grave of Private Thomas Langford Watts, this message was put by the descendants of S W Wells in July 2016, for the centenary of the Battle of Fromelles. Pivate Watts returned on the No Man’s Land in the sector of Cordonnerie Farm/Delangre Farm, to rescue his mates, he saved Sydney’s life. They were almost safe near the aid post when a bullet struck Watts in the head, killing him instantly, After the war Wells became a barber in Wollongong. Last July descendants of both soldiers had a meeting at Fromelles.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/descendants-meet-at-fromelles-to-honour-a-hero-and-victim/news-story/e7b3c0d16e195c85ab62e632900f1a03
Pierre Seillier, FWTM (Fromelles Remembrance Association)
Click images to start slideshow.