George Thomson
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | c1895 |
| Place of Birth | Port Pirie, South Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 20 years, 4 months |
| Description |
5'6¾" (1.70m) tall ; 175lbs 79.379 kg ; dark complexion ; brown eyes ; dark brown hair |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Gosnells, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , George Thomson (Snr) |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 1787 |
| Date of Enlistment | 16 Jun 1915 |
| Rank | Driver |
| Unit/Formation | 28th Battalion, 2nd Reinforcement transferred to AASC. |
| Date of Embarkation | 23 Jul 1915 ‒ ?? Aug 1915 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A64 Demosthenes Fremantle to |
| Date of Return | 4 Jan 1919 ‒ 12 Feb 1919 |
| Ship Returned On | HMT Morvada |
| Fate | Returned to Australia (medical) |
| Monument |
Gosnells Road Board Honour Roll Gosnells Ward Honour Roll |
| Medals |
1914-15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
By 1898 the family had relocated to the Southern River area from South Australia.
War Service
On 16 Jul 1915, a month after entering camp, George was allocated to the 2nd reinforcement draft for the 28th Battalion. He completed his training in Australia with them and sailed to Egypt. At some point in Egypt he was detached to the 2nd Division Train and on 14 Sep 1915 George was appointed Driver in the 10th Company Australian Army Service Corps. In Ismailia on 8 Feb 1916, George was charged with "disobeying the lawful command given by his superior officer in the execution of his office." Awarded 2 day's Field Punishment No.2. (See notes).
George was formally transferred on 13 Mar 1916 from the 28th Battalion to the 10th Company Army Service Corps where he was given a new Regimental No. 8984. Soon after, on 20 Jun 1916, George departed Alexandria aboard HMT Caledonia for Marseilles in southern France, arriving there and disembarking on 29 Jun 1916. On 27 Oct 1916 he was charged with being AWOL from 8:30pm on 26 Oct 1916 until 9:00am on 27 Oct 1916. For this he forfeited 15 day's pay.
George was granted leave in the UK from 16 - 30 Apr 1917, and having a taste for leave, he was again AWOL, this time from 11:30 am until 6:00pm on 29 Jun 1917. Found guilty he was awarded 24 hours Field Punishment No 2, and lost 2 day's pay.
On 20 Sep 1917 he reported sick with a puncture injury to his left foot, and on 21 Sep 1917 he was admitted to the 59th General Hospital in St Omer. Eight days later he was released to the 7th Convalescent Depot, and then on 6 Oct 1917 to the 3rd Rest Camp. On 10 Oct 1917 he was fit to join the ASC Depot in Le Havre, and on 21 Oct 1917 he was sent to the 5th Division Train where he was able to rejoin the 10th Company AASC.
From 20 Jul - 2 Aug 1918 he enjoyed another leave in the UK, but on 14 Sep 1918 he reported to the 5th Australian Field Ambulance with an injury, later deemed accidental, and was sent on the same day to the 41st Casualty Clearing Station. On 17 Sep 1918 George was admitted to the 41st Stationary Hospital, before transferring on 7 Oct 1918 to the 1st Australian General Hospital. The following day he was embarked on HMHS Carisbrook Castle for England.
Admitted to the 1st Birmingham War Hospital on 9 Oct 1918 with a lacerated left hand, he was discharged on 16 Oct 1918 and sent to the No. 2 Command Depot in Weymouth. AWOL from 9 - 11 Dec 1918. In Jan 1919 he was sent back to Australia.
Discharged by 5th Military District on 28 May 1919
Post War
Notes
Field punishment could be awarded by a court martial or a commanding officer for any offence committed on active service.
There were two categories of field punishment. Field punishment No. 2 consisted of heavy labouring duties. All offenders awarded field punishment would march with their unit, carry their arms and accoutrements, perform all their military duties as well as extra fatigue duties, and be treated as defaulters.