MITCHELL, Thomas James
| Service Numbers: | 3872, 3872A |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 1 November 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 20th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Newcastle New South Wales, Australia, September 1891 |
| Home Town: | Lambton, Newcastle, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Engine cleaner |
| Died: | Killed in Action, France , 4 August 1916 |
| Cemetery: |
Pozières British Cemetery Plot IV, Row O, Grave No. 42 |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Hamilton Loco Employees Great War Honour Roll, Haymarket NSW Government Railway and Tramway Honour Board, Lambton Fallen Soldiers HR, Wickham "Citizens of Wickham" Volunteers Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 1 Nov 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3872, 20th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Jan 1916: | Involvement Private, 3872, 17th Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières , --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '12' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Runic embarkation_ship_number: A54 public_note: '' | |
| 20 Jan 1916: | Embarked Private, 3872, 17th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Runic, Sydney | |
| 4 Aug 1916: | Involvement Private, 3872A, 20th Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières , --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 3872A awm_unit: 20 Battalion awm_rank: Private awm_died_date: 1916-08-04 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by John Oakes
Thomas James MITCHELL (Service Number 3872A) was born in Jesmond, a Newcastle suburb, in September 1891. He joined the NSW Government Railways as an engine cleaner (first step on the career path of an engineman) at the Hamilton locomotive depot in May 1912. He had previously been employed casually there. In August 1913 he was appointed a firelighter at Hamilton, and in December that year a tool collector. In September 1914 he reverted to cleaner. In November 1915 he enlisted in the AIF in Sydney, noting his next of kin as his wife Miriam.
He was initially allotted to the 9th Reinforcements of the 17th Battalion. He was landed in France in March 1916 and was transferred to the 20th Battalion in May. In July 1916 he was meant to be transferred to the 1st Australian Tunnelling Company, but as the 20th Battalion was then on the move he did not join the tunnellers.
He was killed in action on 4th August 1916 in the Battle of Pozières and is buried in Pozières British Military Cemetery.
War pensions were granted by the authorities for his widow and posthumously-born daughter.
- based on the Australian War Memorial Honour Roll and notes for the Great Sydney Central Station Honour Board.