Thomas Frederick McDonough
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | unknown |
| Place of Birth | Perth, Western Australia |
| Death | 14 Nov 1963, aged 72 |
| Place of Death | Midland, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 24 years, 10 months |
| Description | 5' 6½" (1.69m) tall; weight 119 lbs (54 kg); fresh complexion, blue eyes, light brown hair |
| Occupation | brickmaker |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Address | Armadale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Mother Mrs Catherine McDonough |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 947 |
| Date of Enlistment | 6 Jan 1916 |
| Rank | Driver |
| Unit/Formation | 44th Battalion headquarters / 11th Brigade, 3rd Division |
| Date of Embarkation | 6 Jun 1916 - 21 Jul 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A29 Suevic |
| Date of Return | 6 Jun 1919 - 8 Jul 1919 |
| Ship Returned On | SS Somali |
| Fate |
Wounded in Action 10 Jun 1917 at Messines Returned to Australia |
| Monument |
Armadale (Armadale panel) Armadale and Districts Roll of Honour |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
Electoral Roll entries - 1916-1917 brickmaker, Armadale
War Service
After six weeks in Blackboy Hill camp Tom was allocated to the 44th Battalion, and initially made a member of B Company. However, another six weeks into his training he became a batman and was transferred to the battalion's HQ element (16 Apr 1916).
Tom spent a week in hospital in England during Sep 1916, before proceeding to France from Larkhill via Southampton with the rest of the 44th Battalion on 25 Nov 1916. Arriving in Le Havre they spent several days in the area before taking the train to Steenwerck where they are part of the reserve. On 27 Feb 1917 Tom was appointed as a driver.
Wounded in Action on 10 Jun 1917, most likely as the 43rd Battalion moved to replace the 44th in the line, due to the very heavy bombardment that accompanied those changes. Thomas was gassed, and was treated first at the 9th Aust Field Ambulance, before being transferred to 2nd Aust Casualty Clearing Station, and then the 11th Stationary Hospital in Rouen.
A month after being gassed he was released to a convalescent depot for a month's rest before being sent on to the 3rd Division Base Depot in Rouelles, France. He rejoined the 44th Battalion on 11 Oct 1917.
Tom was granted leave to England in Mar 1918, and to Paris in Nov 1918. He remained in France until 7 Apr 1919 when he moved back to the No3 Group Base in Codford where on 6 May 1919 he was admonished and lost two days pay for being AWOL for 36 hours.
Discharged at 5th Military District.
The 1917 Feb-Mar edition of The Drill of the Foot-Hills incorrectly gives his initials as I.F. "Enlisted in February, 1916, and sailed with the 44th Battalion in June, 1916; now in France."
Post War
In 1921 married Agnes Lilian Walker. Agnes died at Rudds Gulley on 10 May 1982 aged 87.
Electoral Roll entries - 1925 a fitter's assistant at 1 Cope street, Midland Junction, moving by 1931 to 30 Sayers street Midland Junction, remaining there until his death in 1963. In 1972 Lilian was still at that address.
In WW2 son Frederick Noel McDonough served with Reg No 38449.
Notes