Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Alfred Henry Stanley THORNS was born in Gympie, Queensland on 22nd July, 1894

His parents were Albert THORNS & Emma SIBLY

Alfred H.S. Thorns was a native of Gympie, Queensland, and went Western Australia with his family during 1902, and resided with his parents for seven or eight years at Kanowna, afterwards the family moved to Trafalgar. He worked as a miner for the Lake View and Star Company, at the time of his enlistment on 16 August 1914, one of the earliest men to enlist in Australia. He left West Australia with the 11th Battalion, and participated in the Landing at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915, and took part in the evacuation of the peninsula. He had been slightly wounded there on two occasions. He then went to France, and was severely wounded at Pozieres on 16 August 1916. He was evacuated to England with a gunshot wound to the knee. He went back to the front after six months hospital treatment rejoined his unit during November 1916.

He was a remarkable soldier and his recommendation for the award of a mention in despatches was as good as it gets, “Was an original member of the 11th Battalion. Landed at Anzac on 25 April 1915. Wounded on 4 May 1915 and again on 28 June 1915. Joined the 51st Battalion at its formation and was wounded for a third time at Pozieres 14 August 1916. He rejoined in November 1916 and has at all times proved a steady and reliable NCO and his cheerfulness and devotion to duty stand out as an example. Recommended by Lieut-Col. Ridley 51st Battalion CO, signed by Major General William Homes, GOC 4th Division.”

He spent some time in England as sergeant-major in the instructional staff, training men, before he rejoined his unit in France in September 1917.

He was soon after recommended for a Military Medal, “on the night of 24/25 April 1918 during a counter attack by his Battalion on strong enemy positions near Villers-Bretonneux this NCO showed splendid courage and devotion to duty. Although wounded early in the fight he continued to lead his platoon under heavy rifle and machine gun fire, and when at one stage his platoon was hung up by fire, he went forward and at once attacked the position and forced the enemy to retire, thereby enabling his men to advance. When consolidating on the final position, he rendered valuable assistance by reconnoitering his front and gaining information of the enemy movements. His coolness under fire and determination to remain at his post were an excellent example to his men.”

He was wounded again 3 weeks later, this being his 5th wound and a mortal one. He was wounded by an aeroplane bomb when the Battalion was out of the line, in a village called Blangy-Tronville, 5 kilometeres east of Amiens. The bomb killed several other men, and Thorns died of his wounds the next day. One of the eye witnesses stated he was the longest serving man in the Battalion, having fought at the Anzac Day landing in 1915.

His older brother, 2235 Pte. Arthur John Vivian Thorns 28th Battalion AIF had been killed in action at Pozieres 29 July 1916, aged 24.

A third brother George Albert (Leslie) Thorns enlisted in 1917 into 48th Battalion. Les had his left foot severely damaged by a shell and was finally discharged during March 1918. Their parents were Albert and Emma Thorns, of Trafalgar, Western Australia.

Another brother named his son, born in 1917, Arthur Stanley Thorns, after his two fallen brothers.  WX10289 Private Arthur Stanley Thorns, 2/4th Machine Gun Battalion, died of ill treatment as a Japanese prisoner 8 August 1945.