STRETCH, Thomas Noel Heath
| Service Number: | 534 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 17 August 1914, Prahran |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | Unspecified British Units |
| Born: | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 22 December 1893 |
| Home Town: | Newcastle, Hunter Region, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Brighton Grammar School and Geelong Grammar School, Victoria, The Armidale School NSW |
| Occupation: | Student |
| Died: | Killed in Action, France, 25 March 1918, aged 24 years |
| Cemetery: |
Peronne Road Cemetery, Maricourt III B 21 |
| Memorials: | Armidale School War Memorial Gates, Geelong Grammar School Community Members Who Served, Maitland High School Roll of Honour, Newcastle (Gardner Memorial) War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 17 Aug 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 534, 5th Infantry Battalion, Prahran | |
|---|---|---|
| 9 Sep 1914: | Promoted AIF WW1, Sergeant, 5th Infantry Battalion | |
| 21 Oct 1914: | Involvement Sergeant, 534, 5th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '8' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Orvieto embarkation_ship_number: A3 public_note: '' | |
| 21 Oct 1914: | Embarked Sergeant, 534, 5th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Orvieto, Melbourne | |
| 5 Apr 1915: | Discharged AIF WW1, Sergeant, 534, 5th Infantry Battalion, Granted commission in British Army. | |
| 6 Apr 1915: | Enlisted British Forces (All Conflicts), Unspecified British Units, Second Lieutenant, Royal Army Service Corps | |
| 31 Jul 1917: | Honoured Military Cross, Third Ypres, Lieutenant Stretch successfully brought his four guns with the assaulting Infantry up to the second objective and when there found that the right flank of the Brigade was exposed to attack from a party of the enemy still in the Pommern Redoubt. He pushed two of his guns well forward on the flanks of the Brigade and was thereby able to bring covering machine gun fire to bear while the rest of the Brigade was advancing to take the final objective. He took two prisoners with the assistance of one of his gun teams, and then obtained an Infantry bombing party to clear the trench of the remainder of the enemy. | |
| 27 Nov 1917: | Honoured Military Cross and bar, Third Ypres, For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty from 20th to 22nd September 1917, East of Ypres. He advanced with three machine guns to the first objective and got them into position. He then returned to the advanced company headquarters, and despite heavy shelling, did splendid work in keeping up communication. On hearing that the officers of the forward sections had become casualties he supervised the working of those sections in addition to his own. His cheerful and courageous example greatly inspired his men. | |
| 25 Mar 1918: | Involvement British Forces (All Conflicts), German Spring Offensive 1918 |
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Thomas Noel Heath STRETCH was born in Melbourne on 22nd December, 1893
His parents were John Francis STRETCH & Amelia Margaret WEEKES
Biography contributed by Faithe Jones
THOMAS NOEL HEATH STRETCH (13.3.1892 - ? 1918)
Called Noel and "Stringy".
From Newcastle. His father John Francis Stretch was Church of England Bishop from 25.6.1906 until his death on 19.4.1919. He. was "grievously saddened, by the loss of a cherished son in the war" (A History of the Diocese of Newcastle by A.P. Elkin 1955 p.666)
At TAS 4¼ years from Feb. 1907 to June 1911.
Served in the I.A.C., British Army as Lieut., He was "awarded the Military Cross for conspicuously gallant leadership and skilful handling of his Section of machine guns in the operations in the Ypres Salient on 31.7.1917. He successfully brought his 4 guns with the assaulting infantry up to the second objective, and when there found that the right flank of the brigade was exposed to attack from a party of-the enemy still in Pommern Redoubt. He pushed two of his guns well forward on the flanks of the brigade, and was thereby enabled to bring covering machine-gun fire to bear while the rest of the brigade was advancing to take the final objective, he took two prisoners with the assistance of one of his gun teams, and then obtained an Infantry bombing party to clear the trench of the remainder of the enemy. He was awarded a Bar to the Military Cross for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty from 20th to 22nd September 1917, east of Ypres. He advanced with 3 machine guns to the first objective, and got them into position. He then returned to the advanced company's headquarters, and, despite heavy shelling, did splendid work in keeping up communication. On hearing that one the Officers of the forward sections had casualties, he supervised the working of those Sections in addition to his own. His cheerful and courageous example greatly inspired his men”.
Killed in France aged about 26. He died of wounds.
Buried in Plot 3 Row B Grave 21 of the Peronna Road Cemetery, Maricourt. France
Brother - His twin brother K.R.N Stretch was at TAS at the same time and was Senior Prefect in 1911 and he also served in the War. He was a Surveyor and Engineer at Kempsey and later lived at Crescent Head.
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