RICHARDS, Thomas John
| Service Number: | 2959 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 54th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | London, England, United Kingdom, date not yet discovered |
| Home Town: | Marrickville, Marrickville, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Railway Fitter |
| Died: | Killed in Action, France, 15 May 1917, age not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, Picardie, France |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Haymarket NSW Government Railway and Tramway Honour Board, Villers-Bretonneux Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 25 Oct 1916: | Involvement Private, 2959, 54th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '19' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Ascanius embarkation_ship_number: A11 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 25 Oct 1916: | Embarked Private, 2959, 54th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ascanius, Sydney |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by John Oakes
Thomas John RICHARDS (Service Number 2959) was born in London. He was an old soldier, having served in the Rifle Brigade in England, and come to NSW after his time in the British Army had expired. He joined the NSW Government Railways as a labourer at the Eveleigh Workshops in February 1913. In May 1913 he was attached to the Lifting Engineer’s section. When he enlisted in the AIF in Sydney in May 1916’ he gave his ‘trade or calling’ as fitters’ assistant.
He was made a Corporal on the voyage to England. He embarked from Sydney in October 1916 and was landed in England in December. In February 1917 he was sent to France and reverted to the rank of Private on reaching the base at Etaples on 1st March.
He joined the 54th Battalion ‘in the field’ on 23rd March.
On 15th May 1917 he was killed in action. He has no known grave but is remembered with honour on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial.
War pensions were granted by the authorities for his widow and a daughter.
- based on the Australian War Memorial Honour Roll and notes for the Great Sydney Central Station Honour Board.