SAPPER / PRIVATE CHARLES EBENEZER TOLHURST

1441 – Mining Corps / 6191 – 20th Battalion

Charles Ebenezer Tolhurst stated he was born in Penrith in 1884 and was the son of Ephraim and Sarah Ann (nee Soames) Tolhurst. He was a butcher by trade and was residing at Bulli, New South Wales. In 1903 he married at nineteen years of age at Woonona, NSW to Catherine Mary Veigel.

Years later the following report was published in the:

At a recruiting depot in Bulli, NSW on December 27, 1915 the thirty-one year old applied to enlist for active service abroad. Passing the preliminary medical examination personal particulars were taken which show the married butcher was residing at Balls Lane, Bulli and stood 168cms (5ft 6ins) tall, weighed 58kgs (129lbs) with a chest measurement of 93cms (36½ins). Declared fit his application was accepted.

The next day at the Sydney Town Hall Recruiting Depot he passed the medical and Attestation Forms were completed which describe him further with a fair complexion brown eyes and had brown hair. Religion was stated to be Presbyterian. Next-of-kin was his wife Mrs Katherine Mary Tolhurst of Balls Lane, Woonona, NSW and allotted three-fifths of his pay in support of his wife and children. He was sworn in at Liverpool camp, NSW on December 30, 1915.

Basic training commenced from December 29, 1915 with ‘E Coy’ No. 1 Battalion, Mining Corps until February 1, 1916. In preparation for departure abroad he was assigned to the 1st Reinforcements to the Corps on February 17 at Casula camp, near Liverpool, NSW. His rank was Sapper with the regimental number 1441.

At a civic parade in the Domain, Sydney on Saturday February 19, 1916, a large crowd of relations and friends of the departing Miners lined the four sides of the parade ground. Sixty police and 100 Garrison Military Police were on hand to keep the crowds within bounds. The scene was an inspiriting one. On the extreme right flank, facing the saluting base, were companies of the Rifle Club School; next came a detachment of the 4th King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, then the bands of the Light Horse, Liverpool Depot, and the Miners’ on the left, rank upon rank, the Miners’ Battalion.

The Corps boarded HMAT A38 Ulysses in Sydney, NSW on February 20 and sailed for the European theatre. Arriving in Melbourne, Victoria on February 22 the Miners camped at Broadmeadows for a stay of 7 days while further cargo was loaded.

Another parade was held at the Broadmeadows camp on March 1, the Miners’ Corps being inspected by the Governor-General, as Commander-in-Chief of the Commonwealth military forces.

The transport Ulysses left Melbourne the same day for Fremantle, Western Australia but Sapper Tolhurst failed to embark and declared Absent without leave.

On March 16, 1916 a Warrant for desertion was issued and if apprehended was to be taken to Victoria Barracks, Melbourne to be dealt with according to law.

He was still recorded as being with the Mining Corps from January 24 until June 22, 1916 where at Casula camp was noted to have been re-allotted. Due to his previous Attestation Forms being lost he was re-attested.

At Rosebery Park camp, Sydney, NSW on June 10, 1916 Charles applied to enlist for service again. Re-attesting his description on enlistment states he was 164cms (5ft 4½ins) tall, weighed 51kgs (114lbs) with a chest expansion of 79-90cms (31-35½ins). Complexion was brown with grey eyes and had dark brown hair. Church of England was his religious faith. Next-of-kin nominated was his wife Mrs Katherine Mary Tolhurst of Bulli, NSW and allotted two-fifths of his pay in support of her and their children.

On July 10, 1916 he was to train with ‘B Coy’, 20th Battalion Reinforcements at Liverpool camp but the following day allotted to ‘C Coy’ Reinforcements to the 20th Battalion. This changed again and returned on July 12 to ‘B Coy’. His rank was Private with the regimental number 6191.

The 17th Reinforcement to the 20th Battalion embarked from Sydney on October 23, 1916 on the transport HMAT Ascanius and arrived at Devonport, England on December 28, 1916. The troops marched into the 5th Training Brigade the following day for further training for the front.

Private Tolhurst was admitted on June 18, 1917 to the 1st Aust Dermatological Hospital at Bulford for treatment of a social disease and after twenty-three days curative care was discharged on July 10 to the Convalescent Training Camp.

He left the 5th Training Brigade for Rollestone camp on August 8, 1917.

While in camp disciplinary action was taken for the following:

Offence:AWL from midnight 17/11/17 to 9am 19/11/17

Award:2 days C.C. [confined to camp or cells]

He proceeded to France via Folkstone on November 28 arriving at Havre on November 30 at the 2nd Aust Divisional Base Depot. On December 3 marched out to his Unit in Belgium and taken on strength with the 20th Battalion from the 17th Reinforcement.

Service continued without incident. In an audit of the Battalion he was noted to be still serving on June 14, 1918.

On October 1, 1918 he was detached for duty with the Base Hospital and was there when Peace was declared. Leave to England was granted on December 6, 1918 and he proceeded three days later. He returned to his unit on Christmas Day, 1918.

He was granted permission to do an Education Course on February 11, 1919 and eleven days later marched out to return to England on February 22 disembarking at Southampton the next day and placed at the 1st Training Brigade.

After demobilisation Private Tolhurst departed England on March 25, 1919 on board H.T. Port Denison for the voyage to Australia. Base Records advised his wife on April 15, 1919 that he was returning home. The transport docked in Melbourne (3rd M.D.) on May 10, 1919 and he returned to Sydney (2nd M.D.) soon after.

Military Discharge was issued in Sydney (2nd M.D.) on June 20, 1919 on termination of his period of enlistment.

A copy of his Will was returned to the 2nd Military District for filing on October 19, 1919.

For serving his country Private 6191 Charles Ebenezer Tolhurst, 20th Battalion was issued with the British War Medal (87825) and the Victory Medal (78665).

On August 21, 1922 a member of the Branch Medals Section, Sydney, NSW wrote to Base Records after an application by the former soldier for both his medals. Their office had no trace of these being issued to their office and if they had, could they be supplied with the serial numbers. His address was given as Knox Street, Belmore.

Base Records replied on September 15, 1922 advising that his medals had been forwarded by parcel post in continuation of their last War Medal schedules.

From 1930 onwards they are recorded residing at 7 Cowper Street, St Peters with his occupation as labourer.

Charles Ebenezer Tolhurst passed away on July 4, 1948 aged 64 years. Family notices were placed in the:

A small Obituary was published in the:

A Statement of his Service was requested by the Sydney Branch of the Repatriation Department and forwarded by Base Records on June 29, 1950.

His wife Catherine died on May 20, 1963 and was buried with her husband.

Their son Ronald Frederick Tolhurst died on September 29, 1978 and his ashes were also placed at this gravesite.

Their grave is located in the Anglican Monumental portion of Woronora Cemetery within Section 5 in grave no. 955.

© Donna Baldey 2014