Hubert Harris Thorp
From Our Contribution
 Daily News 7 Oct 1916 Page 15 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | c1894 |
| Place of Birth | Fremantle, Western Australia |
| Death | 29 Jul 1916 |
| Place of Death | Pozières, France |
| Age at Enlistment | 20 years, 10 months |
| Description |
5'10" (1.78m) tall ; 132lbs 59.874 kg ; dark complexion ; grey eyes ; dark brown hair |
| Occupation | Carpenter |
| Religion | Methodist |
| Address | Maddington, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr Albert Henry Thorp |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 1788 |
| Date of Enlistment | 23 Jun 1915 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 28th Battalion, 2nd Reinforcement |
| Date of Embarkation | 23 Jul 1915 ‒ ?? Aug 1915 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A64 Demosthenes Fremantle to Egypt |
| Monument |
Gosnells War Memorial name misspelt Gosnells Road Board Honour Roll name misspelt Villers-Bretonneux Memorial Australian War Memorial |
| Medals |
1914-15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal |
Contents
Pre War
War Service
On entering camp, Hubert was allocated to the 2nd reinforcement draft for the 28th Battalion. Following a month's training they were embarked for Egypt where they continued their training until called for by the battalion, which was on the Gallipoli Peninsular. On 12 Oct 1915 Hubert was taken on strength by the 28th Battalion at ANZAC Cove.
On 12 Dec 1915 they withdrew to the beach and soon after nightfall they embarked on HMT Osmanieh for Mudros Harbour, disembarking there on 13 Dec 1915. On 6 Jan 1916 the battalion boarded HMT Ausonia for Alexandria, arriving there on 10 Jan 1916 where they entrained for Tel-el-Kebir. During February they spent time guarding the canal at Ferry Post
The 28th Battalion embarked again in Alexandria harbour on 16 Mar 1916, this time on HMAT A32 Themistocles. They were landed at Marseilles in southern France on 22 March, and loaded into cattle wagons for the journey to northern France. After a time in the Armentieres sector they were moved south to participate in the battle for Pozières. At midnight on 28/29 Jul 1916 they attacked the German second line of trenches on the Pozières Ridge, before being withdrawn to reform after taking very heavy casualties.
Hubert's Red Cross file at the Australian War Memorial gives an inkling into the circumstance of his death. His body was never recovered, and a search of Germany did not produce results either. He was declared to have been KIA on 29 Jul 1916 by a Court of Enquiry held 12 Oct 1916 and 20 Dec 1916.
"I knew him well. He was in my platoon and section (XV.9) I last saw him in No Man's Land, at Pozières on 29th July in a shell hole, wounded badly in the back and unable to carry on. I left some water with him as we retired about 2:00am. I heard no more of him." 1792 Pte W.H. Tucker D Coy, 51st Battalion.[1]
