Difference between revisions of "Thomas Hale Kensit"
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==War Service== | ==War Service== | ||
| − | On enlistment Thomas was sent to Seymour in Victoria to join the Miners Reinforcements and sailed with them soon after for England. | + | On enlistment Thomas was sent to Seymour in Victoria to join the Miners Reinforcements and sailed with them soon after for England. The voyage consisted of four legs, Melbourne to Fremantle where they arrived on 10 Oct 1916, Fremantle to Capetown arriving30 Oct 1916, Capetown to Dakar in West Africa, arrived 15 Nov 1916 where they had a five day stay, an then on to Plymouth. Total voyage time was 64 days. |
After less than a month in England, he sailed for France on [[HMT Arundel]] from Folkestone on 1 Jan 1917, and joined the 1st Tunnelling Company on 14 Mar 1917. | After less than a month in England, he sailed for France on [[HMT Arundel]] from Folkestone on 1 Jan 1917, and joined the 1st Tunnelling Company on 14 Mar 1917. | ||
Revision as of 22:39, 24 September 2017
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| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | unknown |
| Place of Birth | St Pancras, London, England |
| Death | 13 Nov 1938, aged 48 |
| Place of Death | Subiaco, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 24 years, 3 months |
| Description | 5' 5½" (1.66m) tall; 120 lbs (54.4 Kg) weight; fresh complexion, brown eyes, brown hair |
| Occupation | farm hand |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | c/- Mrs Bunney, Kelmscott, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Aunt Mrs Anna Bunney |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 5355 |
| Date of Enlistment | 12 Jun 1916 |
| Rank | Sapper |
| Unit/Formation | 1st Tunnelling Company |
| Date of Embarkation | 30 Sep 1916 - 2 Dec 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A23 Suffolk |
| Date of Return | 23 Dec 1919 - 2 Feb 1920 |
| Ship Returned On | SS Port Napier |
| Fate |
Wounded in Action (gassed) 31 Oct 1917 Returned to Australia |
| Monument | none currently |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
War Service
On enlistment Thomas was sent to Seymour in Victoria to join the Miners Reinforcements and sailed with them soon after for England. The voyage consisted of four legs, Melbourne to Fremantle where they arrived on 10 Oct 1916, Fremantle to Capetown arriving30 Oct 1916, Capetown to Dakar in West Africa, arrived 15 Nov 1916 where they had a five day stay, an then on to Plymouth. Total voyage time was 64 days.
After less than a month in England, he sailed for France on HMT Arundel from Folkestone on 1 Jan 1917, and joined the 1st Tunnelling Company on 14 Mar 1917.
Hospitalised twice due to poor health in 1917 (conjunctivitis and teeth problems), he was also gassed on 31 Oct 1917 at Dranoutre south west of Ypres on the French - Belgium border. The unit war diary complains of heavy enemy shelling and gas attacks.
Tomas worked on the Hill 60 mine at Messines as a 'listener'. At one point he was blown up, and needed to be rescued by other tunnellers who bored a hole in the blocking earth and pumped air to him.
Hospitalised from Mar to Jun 1918 with VD, and again (with debility) from Aug to Sep 1918.
Married Emma Gray, a 23 year old Lady's Companion from Clapton while in England after hostilities had ceased (21 Jul 1919). On 27 Aug 1919 he was placed on indefinite leave awaiting a family ship.
Emma accompanied him on his return to Australia. Discharged 5th Military District on 21 Mar 1920.
Post War
Electoral Roll entries - 1916 "The Oaks", Warren road, Katanning, farm labourer; 1925 with wife Emma at Watheroo, farmer; 1925 - 37 East Marchagee, farmer. Daughter Eileen (b. Canning area 1920), son Frederick (1925 - ). Emma remained at East Marchagee until 1943 or later. [Aunt was Anne Bunney of Kelmscott.]
Notes