CAREY, Thomas Joseph
| Service Numbers: | Not yet discovered |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 30 June 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Second Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | 25th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Southport, Queensland, Australia, 15 December 1888 |
| Home Town: | Rockhampton, Rockhampton, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Nudgee College, Brisbane, Queensland |
| Occupation: | Chemist |
| Died: | Killed In Action, France, 29 July 1916, aged 27 years |
| Cemetery: |
Courcelette British Cemetery Plot II, Row B, Grave No. 15. |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 30 Jun 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 25th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Jan 1916: | Involvement 25th Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières , --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '15' embarkation_place: Brisbane embarkation_ship: HMAT Kyarra embarkation_ship_number: A55 public_note: '' | |
| 3 Jan 1916: | Embarked 25th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Kyarra, Brisbane | |
| 29 Jul 1916: | Involvement Second Lieutenant, 25th Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières , --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: awm_unit: 25 Battalion awm_rank: Second Lieutenant awm_died_date: 1916-07-29 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
Lieutenant Carey was born at Southport and was educated at the Christian Brothers' College, Rockhampton. and also at St. Joseph's College, Nudgee. At Nudgee he passed his preliminary examination in pharmacy. After two years' service with Messrs. Atherton and Co, Rockhampton, he passed the intermediate examination and about the same time passed two examinations at the Rockhampton Technical College under the auspices of the Sydney University and secured two certificates, one for practical chemistry, the other for theoretical chemistry. Completing his apprenticeship in April, 1909, he went to Brisbane and secured a position as assistant to Thomason-Chater. Ltd. While in Brisbane he attended night lectures at the College of Pharmacy. At the end of the 1909 session be passed the college examination held in connection with the Sydney University. As he was not twenty-one years of age, he was unable to sit for the final examination in November 1909; but he passed it in 1910. Mr. Carey afterwards became a member of the firm of Messrs. Atherton and Co., and was there engaged for three years prior to enlisting in the Australian Imperial Forces in June, 1915, as a private without any previous service. By ability and enthusiasm for military work he soon advanced himself in the ranks. In the metropolis he attended the school of instruction for non-commissioned officers and, on passing his examination, was promoted to the rank of Sergeant-Major. Then he attended the school of instruction for officers and was successful at the examination, when he was appointed second lieutenant. He was a member of the eighth reinforcements of the 25th battalion. When in France, where he had three months' experience as a soldier, he became lieutenant. He was at the inspection in France of the Queensland troops by the Premier, The Hon. T. J. Ryan.
Lieutenant Carey was the son of the late Senior-Sergeant John Carey of Rockhampton, Queensland. He was recommended for a mention in despatches in the charge at Pozieres which resulted in his death, for "Great gallantry in leading his Platoon in the attack on Pozieres Ridge." Thomas Carey's brother stated on his roll of honour form, "Although wounded he kept on with his men until he was killed."
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