BOXSELL, Thomas Theodore
| Service Number: | 4563 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 20th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Berry, NSW, 1897 |
| Home Town: | Port Kembla, Wollongong, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Memorials: | Berry Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 9 Apr 1916: | Involvement Private, 4563, 20th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '13' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Nestor embarkation_ship_number: A71 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 9 Apr 1916: | Embarked Private, 4563, 20th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Nestor, Sydney |
WW1
The details provided are taken from the book "Stealth Raiders - a few daring men in 1918" written by Lucas Jordan, published in 2017 - refer to pages 206, 207, 219 & 262. Prior to the war he was a labourer of Port Kembla NSW. He enlisted 15 Nov 1915 aged 18 years. He served with the 20th Infantry Battalion and during that service he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Military Medal. He departed the UK for home 17th Mar 1919.
Submitted 20 January 2020 by Maxwell HILL
Biography contributed by Faithe Jones
Distinguished Conduct Medal
'On three occasions during the operations on Mont St. Quentin, on the 31 August, 1918, he went out, and from an exposed position personally attracted the fire of enemy machine guns, while the remainder of his section worked round the flanks and killed and captured the crews. While engaging the enemy his own gun was knocked out by machine gun bullets.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 35
Date: 15 April 1920
Military Medal
'On the morning of the 8th August, 1918 east of VILLERS BRETONNEUX, near AMIENS, during the attack on the WARFUSEE line, part of the advance was held up. This N.C.O. went forward and located the machine gun holding up the advance. Single handed he attacked and captured the garrison of 14 men. He then cut the wire to enable the remainder of his section to pass through. By his coolness and disregard of danger he showed a fine example to his men.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 109
Date: 15 September 1919