Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Thomas Leonard Chadwick proceeded overseas to France via England on 15 September 1916 and was taken on strength on 28 September. On 10 November 1916 he was admitted to the field hospital suffering from trench feet.

On 13 March 1917 he was admitted to the field ambulance suffering from poisoning.

Thomas was detached to 5th Army Sniping School from 10 to 26 June 1917.

SNIPER COLUMN: Returned Soldiers speak in affectionate terms of the work done in the front line by young Len Chadwick, of Nambour. He was a baby-faced boy in short trousers and sox, when he enlisted, and he had to borrow his elder brother’s long trousers in which to go before the doctor. He must have been well under the enlisting age at the time. They made a sniper of him at the front and he turned out a proper DARE-DEVIL DICK with the rifle. The Sun, 11 May 1919.

He was admitted to No. 3 Canadian General Hospital on 23 January 1919.

Thomas returned to Australia on board AUCHISES on 22 August 1919.

WELCOME HOME: Two more soldiers Private Len Chadwick and Phil Brown came home on Wednesday night, and in spite of a threatening evening, were welcomed by a couple of hundred people, for whom and the district in general, Mr. A. H. Brookes again acted as spokesman. The usual music at the station, and afterwards played at Mr. Chadwick`s home, where there was a big private gathering after the public had given its applause and cheers. Chronicle, 17 October 1919.

Thomas was discharged from the AIF on 6 December 1919.

OBITUARY: The death occurred during transport to the Brisbane General Hospital from his residence in Brisbane last Thursday of Mr. Thomas Leonard Chadwick, well known in Nambour and Buderim Districts. Deceased, who was born at Gladstone 55 years ago, was the second son of the late Mr. & Mrs. T. T. Chadwick, and stepson of Mrs. J. F. Chadwick (Nambour). He was a foundation member of the 1st Nambour Troop Boy Scouts under Scoutmaster, the late E. R. P. Wainwright. At 16 years of age, he enlisted with his brother, George, in the 1st AIF, and was drafted overseas a couple of weeks ahead of his brother in the 26th Brigade Snipers. At the termination of World War I, he served his apprenticeship in Brisbane as a motor mechanic, later returning to Nambour and working in the Moreton Central Sugar Mill Co. In more recent years, he lived with his sister, Mrs. N. McCowan at Buderim, where he engaged in small crop farming. Eighteen months ago he went to Brisbane, where he was employed as a wardsman at the General Hospital. Many friends of the deceased attended the funeral to Mt. Thompson Crematorium last Saturday. Nambour Chronicle, 16 July 1954. Page 15.
Courtesy of Adopt A Digger.