Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

When Thomas and his twin brother William Robert, were born in 1893 in Benalla, Victoria, their father was 50 and their mother was 32. Thomas's mother was Esther, nee Hurst. She was born in 1861 and died in 1943. Thomas’s father, William Ward, was born in 1843 and died in 1907.

Thomas and his twin, Robert, had two sisters and a brother. His eldest sister's name was Winifred Anne Ward, and his youngest sister’s name was Agnes Ellen Ward. Agnes’s birthday was during January 1899. She died in 1995. Winnifred was born on the 1 June, 1981, and died in 1981. Thomas’ younger brother, James Edward Hurst Ward, was born in 1903 and died in 1965.

When Thomas (service number 2393) joined the 16th Reinforcements of the 4th Light Horse on the 3 February, 1916, at Melbourne, Victoria he was a 24-year-old labourer, living in Cudgewa, Victoria. His next of kin was his mother and her address was also Cudgewa, Victoria. Thomas was listed as single when he enlisted and, as far as is known, never married. Like many men of Thomas’ age, he had experience with weapons through his six-year membership in the Upper Murray Rifle Club.

His height at enlistment was 5 foot 6 inches (164 cm) while his weight was 120 lbs (54.4 kg). His chest measurement was given as 31 inches (79 cm) to 33 inches (84 cm). Thomas’ complexion was fresh, eyes brown as was his hair brown. His religious denomination was the Church of England. His records note two distinctive marks, one being his vaccination mark while the other was a mole on his back.

Thomas embarked from Australia on board HMAT A53 Itria on the 18 April, 1916, at Port Melbourne, Victoria.

On the 29 May, 1916, he was taken on strength with the 4th Light Horse at Telekiber, Egypt. A month later, due to the oversupply of men in the Light Horse Regiments, Thomas was taken on strength by the 1st Double Squadron of the 1st Light Horse Brigade. The role of this Double Squadron was to guard the Suez Canal against Turkish Forces. Thomas would remain in this unit until the 22 November, 1916, where, after his first stay in hospital, he was taken on by the 1st Light Horse Training Regiment. He would remain here until late December when he transferred to the Australian Camel Training Unit at Abbassia, Cairo. Clearly, camels were not to his liking as in late February 1918, he was transferred back to his unit, the 4th Light Horse, based at Ferry Post on the Suez Canal.

During his three years away in Egypt, he would be admitted to hospital a number of times for various ailments. An extreme case of diarrhoea would have him admitted to the No. 3 Australian General Hospital for a period of six weeks over September of 1916, while typhus fever would put him in a critical condition in the 47th Stationary Hospital for approximately a month in August of 1918.

On the 15 June, 1919, Thomas embarked on the SS Essex at Kantara bound for Australia. He was finally discharged from the AIF on the 2 October, 1919. For his service during the war, he was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Not much is known of Thomas’ life upon returning to Australia. He passed away on the 9 September, 1975, at Sunbury, Victoria and was buried there.

Extract from "Light Horsemen of the Upper Murray", Year 5 and 6 Project, Corryong College.