William Renfrey Thomas
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | not known 1898 |
| Place of Birth | Jarrahdale, Western Australia |
| Death | 30 Aug 1954 |
| Place of Death | not known |
| Age at Enlistment | 18 years old |
| Description | |
| Occupation | Stockman |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Jarrahdale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr William James Thomas |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 2485 |
| Date of Enlistment | 8 Mar 1916 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 10th Light Horse regiment, 17th Reinforcement transferred to Camel Corps |
| Date of Embarkation | 16 May 1916 ‒ 16 Jun 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A52 Surada |
| Date of Return | 16 Mar 1919 ‒ 10 Apr 1919 |
| Ship Returned On | HMAT A14 Euripides |
| Fate |
Wounded in Action 19 Apr 1917 near Gaza Returned to Australia |
| Monument |
Jarrahdale Honour Roll ANZAC Memorial Park (Byford) |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
War Service
Entered camp on 8 Mar 1916 and on 1 Apr 1916 he was allotted to the 17th reinforcement draft for the 10th Light Horse Regiment.
On arrival in Egypt Bill was reallocated to the 3rd Light Horse Regiment Reserve, and on 10 Aug 1916 detached to the 3rd Company, Imperial Camel Corps. This was formalised on 11 Nov 1916 when he was transferred to the 12th Company of the 3rd Anzac Battalion of the Camel Corps.
On 19 Apr 1917 Bill was wounded in the right leg by a bullet during the second battle for Gaza. A bigger disaster than the first attempt, the total casualties were more than 6,000 of whom 345 were members of the Camel Corps, including Bill. Seen by an English Field Ambulance he was sent on to the 53rd Casualty Clearing Station, then the 2nd Light Horse Field Ambulance on 20 & 21 Apr 1917 before being admitted to the 26th Casualty Clearing Station from 22 - 27 Apr 1917. From El Arish he sent to Cairo and the 24th Stationary Hospital, before being admitted first to the 14th Australian General Hospital on 29 Apr 1917. Bill was released to a Convalescent Depot on 12 May 1917.
While convalescing he ran foul of military law, on 19 May 1917 being charged with '(1) While on active service Breaking out of Barracks about 6:20pm and remaining absent until apprehended by MPs about 10:20pm 17 May 1917 (4 hours); (2)Out of Bounds in Waghel Burke street. Awarded forfeiture of 4 days pay.
On 23 May 1917 he was discharged from hospital and set to the Camel Corps Depot in Abbassia, and he was again placed in the reserve pool. Bill rejoined his unit on 6 Jun 1917.
Hospitalised from 22 Aug - 27 Aug 1917 and then returned to 12 Company, 3rd Battalion Imperial Camel Corps. After another brief period in hospital, Bill was transferred to the ANZAC Base Depot Company of the Camel Corps, where in April and May 1918 he was again in trouble for sneaking out of camp. On both occasions he was found by Military Police the same day earning fines and Field Punishment No.2. After being released from detention he was set back to his normal unit.
With reorganisation of units in July 1918, Bill was transferred to the 15th Light Horse Regiment.
Returned to Australia with malaria, and was discharged by 5th Military District on 11 Aug 1919.
Post War
Electoral Roll entries - 1922 - 1925 in Nullagine, a butcher
Notes