THORNTHWAITE, Edward John
| Service Number: | 1247 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 18 January 1916, 3 years cadets |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 55th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | South Grafton, New South Wales, Australia, 30 April 1898 |
| Home Town: | Grafton, Clarence Valley, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Swansea, New South Wales, Australia, 23 May 1967, aged 69 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Sandgate General Cemetery, Newcastle, NSW |
| Memorials: | Grafton Primary School Great War Honor Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 18 Jan 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1247, 36th Infantry Battalion, 3 years cadets | |
|---|---|---|
| 13 May 1916: | Involvement Private, 1247, 36th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '17' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Beltana embarkation_ship_number: A72 public_note: '' | |
| 13 May 1916: | Embarked Private, 1247, 36th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Beltana, Sydney | |
| 22 Nov 1917: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 55th Infantry Battalion | |
| 17 Aug 1918: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 1247, 55th Infantry Battalion, The Battle of Amiens, GSW left foot, mild | |
| 11 Apr 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 1247, 55th Infantry Battalion, 2nd MD |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Evan Evans
From Gary Mitchell, Sandgate Cemetery
2 brothers who served during The Great War, 1 resting at Sandgate Cemetery, 1 awaiting memorialisation.
55 years ago today, on the 3rd June 1967, Private Edward John Thornthwaite, 55th Battalion (Reg No-1247), labourer from 2 Little Villiers Street, Grafton, New South Wales and Hall Street, Newcastle West, N.S.W. and 3 Macquarie Street, Swansea, N.S.W., was laid to rest at Sandgate Cemetery, age 69. ANGLICAN 3-220. 32. Note – died on the 23rd May 1967.
Born at South Grafton, New South Wales on the 30th April 1898 to James Craven and Adela Jane Thornthwaite of Villiers Street, Grafton, N.S.W.; husband of Lily Amelia Thornthwaite nee O'Brien (married 1940, Newcastle, N.S.W., died 1957, Newcastle, N.S.W., sleeping here?), Edward enlisted January 1916 with the 36th Battalion at Grafton, N.S.W.
Admitted to hospital 1.11.1918 (influenza).
Edward was invalided home January 1919, being discharged on the 11th April 1919.
Mr. Thornthwaite’s name has been inscribed on the Ramornie First World War Roll of Honor, Grafton Public School First World War Honor Roll and the Grafton Memorial Park Gates.
Older brother James Craven (15th & 47th Battalion, Reg No-4253, born 1896, Grafton, N.S.W., DOD 22.10.1916 - (nephritis uraemia) age 19, resting at La Clytte Military Cemetery, Belgium. Plot II Row D Grave 26, awaiting memorialisation same location.
I located Edward resting in an unmarked grave, another Forgotten Digger of The Great War, so May 2021 I placed a cross adorned with poppies for Edward and a Memorial cross for brother James in remembrance of their service and supreme sacrifice for God, King & Country.
I will be submitting an application to DVA asking for a Commonwealth War Graves Plaque, curbing and marble chip to restore Honour and Dignity to Edward.
Contact with descendants would be greatly appreciated.
Lest We Forget.
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