THORNTHWAITE, James Craven
| Service Number: | 4253 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 4 September 1915, 1 year cadets, 6 month Militia |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 47th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | South Grafton, New South Wales, Australia, 21 November 1896 |
| Home Town: | Grafton, Clarence Valley, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Painter |
| Died: | Nephritis, 12th Field Ambulance Hospital, Belgium, 22 October 1916, aged 19 years |
| Cemetery: |
La Clytte Military Cemetery Plot II, Row D, Grave No. 26 |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Grafton Primary School Great War Honor Roll, Ramornie War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 4 Sep 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 4253, 15th Infantry Battalion, 1 year cadets, 6 month Militia | |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Jan 1916: | Involvement Private, 4253, 15th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '11' embarkation_place: Brisbane embarkation_ship: HMAT Kyarra embarkation_ship_number: A55 public_note: '' | |
| 3 Jan 1916: | Embarked Private, 4253, 15th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Kyarra, Brisbane | |
| 1 Apr 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 47th Infantry Battalion | |
| 12 Aug 1916: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 4253, 47th Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières , SW/GSW to right leg | |
| 3 Oct 1916: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 4253, 47th Infantry Battalion, Concussion |
Help us honour James Craven Thornthwaite's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Evan Evans
From Gary Mitchell, Sandgate Cemetery
Awaiting memorialisation at Sandgate Cemetery with my brother.
106 years ago today, on the 22nd October 1916, Private James Craven Thornthwaite, 47th Battalion (Reg No-4253), painter and brickmaker from Williams Street, Grafton, New South Wales, Died of Disease (nephritis uraemia) at the 12th Australian Field Ambulance Hospital, Belgium, age 19 years 11 months.
Born at Ramornie, New South Wales on the 21st November 1896 to James Craven (died 7.6.1920, Grafton, N.S.W.) and Adelaide (Adela) Jane Thornthwaite (died?) of 2 Villiers Street, Grafton, New South Wales and 94 and 79 Bacon Street, Grafton, N.S.W., James enlisted September 1915 with the 15th Battalion at Brisbane, Queensland.
Wounded in action - 12.8.1916 (GSW right leg), 3.10.1916 (concussion).
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article195317033 - report that James had been wounded, 1st occasion.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article195310874 - report that James had been wounded 2nd occasion.
Admitted to hospital 22.10.1916 (nephritis).
James is resting at La Clytte Military Cemetery, Belgium. Plot II Row D Grave 26.
Mr. Thornthwaite’s name has been inscribed on the Ramornie War Memorial, Ramornie First World War Roll of Honor, Grafton Cenotaph and the Grafton Primary School Honor Roll. Name not inscribed on the Grafton Memorial Park Gates.
Mother Adela Jane Thornthwaite had received a silver badge by the Department of Defence.
James's name to be inscribed on the Grafton Memorial Park Roll of Honor - note that cause of death stated as DOW, not DOD.
Younger brother Edward John (55th Battalion, Reg No-1247, born 1898, South Grafton, N.S.W., died 23.5.1967, age 69) resting same location, unmarked grave.
I placed crosses adorned with poppies May 2021 for the Thornthwaite brothers at Edward’s unmarked grave in remembrance of Edward’s service and James’s supreme sacrifice for God, King & Country. ANGLICAN 3-220. 32.
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.
Many thanks to Bill Durrant for the notification (January 2021).
Contact with descendants would be greatly appreciated.
For more detail, see “Forever Remembered “
http://www.commemoratingwarheroes.com/cemetery-main-search/
Lest We Forget.
Click images to start slideshow.