Sapper Edward James Thiel

SAPPER EDWARD JAMES THIEL

6954 – Tunnelling Reinforcements

Rockhampton was the birthplace of Edward James Thiel on June 25, 1890 the son of Herman Edward and Lavinia Jane (formerly Bennett) Thiel. In 1913 he was a timberman at Mount Chalmers, near Rockhampton, Queensland. Previous Military training was with the Port Curtis Infantry for three years. In August, 1915 the following articles were reported in the Rockhampton Morning Bulletin:

At a Recruiting Meeting at Clermont, Queensland on October 5, 1916 the twenty-six year old Labourer / Miner applied to enlist for active service abroad and passed the preliminary medical examination. Personal particulars given were his postal address at Park Avenue, Rockhampton, and height of 174cms (5ft 8½ins) with a chest measurement of 95cms (37½ins). The unmarried man’s application was accepted by the Recruiting Officer from Blair Athol, Qld the same day. At Emerald on October 17, 1916 he passed the second medical examination and his Application was accepted. Forms of Attestation were completed giving further information on his weight of 63.6kgs (140lbs) and had a fresh complexion with blue eyes and fair hair. Church of England was his religion. Next-of-kin nominated was his father Edward Herbert Thiel of Park Avenue, North Rockhampton, Qld.

Private Thiel commenced basic training with the 11th Depot Battalion, Enoggera camp, Brisbane, Qld on October 20, 1916 concluding on January 17, 1917. He went to the Miners’ Depot (1st Military District) and examined requiring Dental Treatment and remained until January 31 including time for Home Leave. A transfer to the Miners’ camp at Seymour, Victoria followed on February 3 for further instruction with the February, 1917 Reinforcements to the Tunnelling Companies. Assigned the rank of Sapper with the regimental number 6954 his training continued until May, 1917. In preparation for service abroad his Will was noted to be lodged with Mr Charles Lundin, 180 Murray Street, Rockhampton, Qld.

The transport HMAT A9 Shropshire embarked from Melbourne, Vic on May 11, 1917 with 168 members of the February Reinforcements on board. Sapper Thiel left Australian waters from Fremantle harbour and after crossing the Indian Ocean the ship docked at Durban, South Africa. Next Port-of-call was Capetown to refuel followed by another stopover at an unrecorded harbour would have completed the trip-sheet. After being at sea for 70 days the voyage terminated at Plymouth, England on July 19, 1917. The three officers and 165 other ranks were detrained to Tidworth while two were hospitalised at Plymouth. The men arrived at Parkhouse camp for further training for the front.

On August 18, 1917 the Reinforcements proceeded from Southampton to France and marched into the Aust General Base Depot in Rouelles the next day.

Thirteen days later Sapper Thiel was sent to the 2nd General Hospital at Havre suffering from Bronchitis. His condition worsened requiring evacuation to England on September 8 and admitted to the 3rd London General Hospital at Wandsworth with Bronco-pneumonia. His next-of-kin were advised by Base Records on September 18, 1917 that he had been admitted to hospital.

Relocated on October 4, 1917 to the 3rd Aust Auxiliary Hospital at Dartford he remained for two weeks before being discharged on furlough on October 18 and to report to Weymouth on November 1, 1917 to the No. 2 Command Depot.

Central Queensland soldiers on the Front were in contact with Mrs H.G. Wheeler working in London co-ordinating the Central Queensland Comfort Fund and each week sent report-letters naming those men she had been in contact with during the week. These were published in the Rockhampton newspapers to give relatives reliable news of their men abroad. Her address was care of the Agent-General, Queensland Office, London.

The following are extracts from her letters home published in the Rockhampton Morning Bulletin in which she imparts news of Sapper Thiel:

On December 21, 1917 Sapper Thiel departed for a change to Australia due to Bronco-pneumonia, on the H.T. A34 Persic. His parents were notified by Base Records on February 7 that he was coming home. The troopship A34 arrived in Melbourne, Vic (3rd M.D.) on February 12, 1918 and he transferred to the steamer Ormonde for the journey to Sydney, NSW (2nd M.D.) and then to Brisbane, Qld (1st M.D.)

He would have appeared before a medical board shortly after arrival in Brisbane and a Statement of Case prepared on his present health before recommended for discharge.

Military Discharge was granted in Brisbane (1st M.D.) on March 23, 1918 as medically unfit and he received a pension of $1.50 (15/-) per fortnight commencing the following day which was sent to Murray Street, Rockhampton.

The following year 1919 he was working as a labourer at Kilcummin, Clermont, Qld.

The Brisbane Courier on Monday March 5, 1923 published items of news from the Rockhampton District which mentions E.J. Thiel:

Sapper 6954 Edward James Thiel, Tunnelling Reinforcements was issued with the British War Medal (29159) and the Victory Medal (27872) for his service to his country.

He returned to Western Queensland and in 1925 was residing at the Winton Hotel, Winton while working as a labourer.

In 1930 was at the Terminus Hotel in Clermont and in 1936 and 1937 his residence was Emerald Road, Springsure with the occupation of labourer.

On February 15, 1936 a Statement of Service was forwarded to the Repatriation Commission in Brisbane.

Edward James Thiel passed away on September 9, 1939 in Queensland at the age of 49 years.