SOLWAY, Thomas Henry
| Service Numbers: | 243, 204 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 30 April 1902 |
| Last Rank: | Saddler |
| Last Unit: | 7th Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse |
| Born: | Mackay, Queensland, Australia, 26 July 1878 |
| Home Town: | Mackay, Mackay, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Harness Maker |
| Died: | Queensland, Australia, 13 July 1906, aged 27 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Mackay Cemetery, Qld Church of England Section 1, Line 18, Plot 6 |
| Memorials: |
Boer War Service
| 1 Oct 1899: | Involvement Private, 204, 1st Queensland Mounted Infantry | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Oct 1899: | Involvement Private, 243, 7th Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse | |
| 1 Nov 1899: | Embarked Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Private, 204, 1st Queensland Mounted Infantry, AWM Boer War Unit Details, Murray p. 448 notes 1st QMI embarked 1 Nov 1899 aboard Cornwall arriving Cape Town 13 Dec 1899. | |
| 23 Jan 1901: | Discharged Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Private, 204, 1st Queensland Mounted Infantry, AWM Boer War Unit Details, Murray p. 449 notes 1st QMI embarked 13 Dec 1900 returning to Australia aboard Orient arriving Brisbane 17 Jan 1901, disbanded 23 Jan 1901. | |
| 30 Apr 1902: | Enlisted Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Private, 243, 7th Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse | |
| 19 May 1902: | Embarked Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Saddler, 243, 7th Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse, AWM Boer War Unit Details, Murray p. 530 notes 7th BACH embarked at Pinkenba 19 May 1902 aboard Custodian arriving Durban 22 Jun 1902 after peace had been declared. | |
| 9 Aug 1902: | Discharged Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Saddler, 243, 7th Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse, AWM Boer War Unit Details, Murray p. 530 notes 7th BACH embarked at Durban 28 Jun 1902 aboard Manchester Merchant returning to Australia arriving Brisbane 2 Aug 1902, disbanded 9 Aug 1902. |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Claude McKelvey
Thomas Henry Solway served twice in the South African (Boer) War. First service was as a Private S.N. 204, 1st Queensland Mounted Infantry. Second service was as a Saddler S.N. 243, 7th Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse.
When he first enlisted in 1899 in the 1st QMI and his details were published with the rank and file in The Brisbane Courier, 18 Nov 1899, he was recorded as Private T. H. Solway, single, Bridge Road, Mackay. He served the full tour of the 1st QMI returning to Brisbane where he was discharged on 23 Jan 1901.
He enlisted again in 1902 in the 7th BACH and on his Attestation Paper dated, 30 Apr 1902, it is noted that; he was born at Mackay and was 22 years 6 months old; he was single and a harness maker; his N.O.K. was his father Thos Solway, Mackay; and he had previously served in the 1st Queensland Contingent. When his photo and details were published in The Queenslander, 31 May 1902, his address was given as Bridge Road, Mackay.
When the 7th BACH arrived in South Africa peace had already been declared and they were ordered to return to Australia, leaving some six days later. National Archives Australia holds a file (A6443)- Pay Matters-7th Battalion Australian Commonwealth Horse, with pages 39 to 46 containing names of officers and men who remained in South Africa at Durban when the contingent embarked to return to Australia. Saddler Solway, T. H. appears on page 41 with no comment as to why he remained. It is assumed that these men were discharged effective at the same date as the main body of the contingent.
It appears he may have remained to take up employment there given he had some knowledge of South Africa having previously served 15 months there with the 1st QMI. A report, as transcribed below, in the Mackay Mercury, 10 Dec 1903, under "Obituary" incorrectly records his death from illness but gives some indication that he had moved from Durban to Johannesburg where he contracted fever.
Obituary- Mackay Mercury, 10 Dec 1903, p. 2.
...The death is also reported, though we do not know that it is absolutely confirmed, of Mr Thomas Solway, junr., who went from Mackay to the South African war, returned home and subsequently went out again. It is stated that he, with seven others, were in the vicinity of Johannesburg, and a report came through that all his companions had contracted fever. It is now said, we regret to record, that young Solway himself has succumbed. He was the son of Mr Thomas Solway, an old resident of this district, and for him, and the rest of the family, much sympathy will be felt.
Records indicate he was back in Australia in 1905 when he married, but the newspaper report may give an indication he was still suffering ill effects leading to his untimely death just 12 months later in 1906.
Thomas Henry Selway was born on 26 Jul 1878 at Mackay, a son to Thomas Solway and Sarah Ann Solway (nee Clemments). He married Jessie McGregor on 10 Jul 1905 in Queensland and they had one child born on 24 Jun 1906, sadly less than a month before Thomas would pass.
(source- AWM Boer War Nominal Roll, Murray p. 453 and 563; National Archives Australia- Boer War Dossier, 1st and 2nd services; Qld State Archives- Boer War Service Paybooks 1st QMI Bk 1 p. 106).
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