Thomas SHAW

Thomas SHAW

Per his military service record (regimental no. 4896), Thomas Shaw was born at Draycott in the Clay, Staffordshire, England.[1] He gave his age as 36 years and 8 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as farmer labourer. His description on his certificate of medical examination was height 5 feet 5 ½ inches tall, weight 11 stone 2 lbs., with a fair complexion, blue eyes, and fair hair. His religious denomination was Church of England. He claimed that he had no previous military service.

He completed his medical examination on the 16^th October 1915 at Wellington (the day the Coo-ees arrived at Wellington), and was attested by Captain Nicholas at Stuart Town on the 19^th October 1915. His “Joined on” date on his Attestation Paper was 18^th October 1915, the day the Coo-ees left Wellington, and marched to Dripstone.

After completing the Coo-ee March he went to Liverpool Camp as reinforcement for the 13^th Battalion.

On his embarkation roll his address at time of enrolment was not recorded, and his next of kin was listed as his sister, Mrs P. White, Bruce Bridge, Heath, Lincoln, England.

On 8^th March 1916 Private Shaw along with many of the other Coo-ees departed Sydney on the HMAT A15 Star of England, and arrived in Egypt on the 11^th April 1916.

On the 16^th April 1916 Private Shaw was transferred to the 4th Pioneer Battalion at Tel-el-Kebir.

On 4^th June 1916 Private Shaw left Alexandria aboard the Transport Scotian, bound for France.  He arrived at Marseilles on 11^th June 1916.

Just two months later, on 7^th August 1916 the 4^th Pioneer Battalion was constructing communication trenches in Becourt Wood, France, when Private Shaw was wounded in action, receiving gunshot wounds to his left leg and neck. He was evacuated to the 4^th General Hospital at Camiers, France, the next day.

On 20^th August 1916 he was moved to Calais, France, and transferred to England aboard the Hospital Ship Newhaven.  He was admitted to the Carrington Military Hospital at Nottingham, England on 21^st August 1916.

On 2^nd September 1916 Private Shaw was transferred to the 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield, England.

On the 23rd of October 1916 Private Shaw was moved to the 3^rd Auxiliary Hospital at Dartford with Myalgia.

On 14^th January 1917 Private Shaw departed Southampton, England, on the Hospital Ship Kanowna, bound for Australia.

He arrived in Sydney on 11^th March 1917, and was discharged Medically Unfit on 29^th August 1917.

[1] NAA: B2455, SHAW THOMAS