Sapper Albert Ernest Thurlow

SAPPER ALBERT ERNEST THURLOW

5635 – 2nd Tunnelling Company

New Buckenham, Norfolk, England was the birthplace of Albert Ernest Thurlow about 1889 the son of Esaw and Kate Thurlow. In 1891 their family was living at 21a New Buckinghamshire Road, Tibonham, Norfolk consisting of Esaw (40) agricultural labourer, Kate (33), Sarah Elizabeth (9), Florence (7), Edith Alice (5), Charles Arthur (4) and Albert Ernest (2). Twenty years later in 1911 those remaining at home were Esaw (61) farmer, Kate (53), Edith Alice (25), Charles Arthur (24), Albert Ernest (21) farm worker, Alfred (19) and Harry (17).

Alfred and his brother Albert embarked from Liverpool, England on the steamer Wiltshire for the voyage to Australia docking at Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney on September 1, 1913 with the young brother’s destination for Brisbane. The Sydney Morning Herald on September 3, 1913 imparts the following:

At the recruiting depot in Port Douglas, North Queensland on February 7, 1916 the recruiting officer accepted an application for enlistment from Albert. A month later he passed the preliminary medical examination on March 7 and personal particulars taken reveal he was unmarried residing at Mowbray, near Port Douglas and the labourer’s age was twenty-seven years. Height was 162cms (5ft 6½ins) tall with a chest measurement of 84cms (33ins). After being declared fit for service his application was accepted by the recruiting officer.

In The Townsville Daily Bulletin on Friday March 24, 1916 his name appears on the coastal shipping list:

The Application was presented at the recruiting depot in Townsville, Qld on March 24 where he was re-examined and declared fit for service. Attestation forms were completed the next day giving his description on enlistment as 163cms (5ft 4ins) tall, weighing 54.4kgs (120lbs) with a chest expansion of 78-85cms (30½-33½ins). Complexion was fresh with blue eyes and dark brown hair. His eyes tested to good vision and religious faith was Church of England. Next-of-kin was his mother Mrs Kate Thurlow of West View, Deaphan, near Wymondham, Norfolk, England and later changed to his father Ernest Thurlow, Aackford, Attleborough, Hardingham, Norfolk. He signed and took the ‘Oath of Allegiance’ the same day.

Acknowledgement to the departing volunteers was published in The Townsville Daily Bulletin Monday March 27, 1916:

Basic training commenced on March 29, 1916 at Enoggera camp, Brisbane with the 11th Depot Battalion until May 19 when he was transferred to the Miners’ Depot (1st Military District). On June 29 he was sent to their training camp at Seymour, Vic to train with the October, 1916 Reinforcements to the Tunnelling Companies. His regimental number was 5635 in the rank of Sapper and made a Will in preparation for departure.

The 516 Reinforcements departed Melbourne, Victoria on October 25, 1916 at 1.30pm aboard the transport HMAT A38 Ulysses. The Australian coastline disappeared from view on October 30, 1916 with the port of Durban reached at 11.30am on November 13, 1916. Windy weather was experienced going around the Cape and arrived at Cape Town at 7am on November 19. Sierra Leone was the next port of call but their departure was delayed until December 14, 1916 as it was not safe to proceed further. Arrived at Plymouth, England on December 28, 1916 after 65 days at sea, with the troops disembarking at 1.30pm and detrained to the station at Tidworth. Further training was at the Aust Details camp at Perham Downs.

On January 28, 1917 the Reinforcements proceeded overseas to France from Folkstone on the S.S. Onward arriving at the Aust General Base Depot the next day.

He was attached and taken on strength with the 2nd Tunnelling Company in the field on February 8, 1917. Sickness took him from work for two days from September 18, 1917 and returned to duty.

Blue Chevrons were issued to wear on his uniform for twelve months service. Service continued and he was counted in an audit of the company in July, 1918.

He went sick to the 9th Aust Field Ambulance on July 6, 1918 diagnosed with P.U.O. (Pyrexia (Fever) of uncertain origin) and transferred to the 5th Casualty Clearing Station on July 11 and rejoined his unit on July 17.

On September 29, 1918 he was wounded in action with a shell wound to his hand and taken to the 50th C.C.S. Another entry states he was also gassed.

In the Unit Diary of the 2nd Tunnelling Company for that date the following entry is recorded:

The following day was sent to the 12th General Hospital at Rouen then moved to the 10th Convalescent Depot on October 3, 1918. Two days later was sent to the Aust Corps Depot in Havre as wounded and discharged to duty on November 1, 1918. He arrived at the A.G.B.D. in Rouelles and marched out to his unit on November 10, 1918.

The following day Peace was declared and he rejoined his unit on November 15, 1918. The Tunnelling companies remained on the front as part of the Army of Occupation assisting with the rehabilitation of roads and bridges and defusing delayed-action mines and booby traps left by the enemy.

While on leave in the United Kingdom he was admitted to the Norwich War Hospital in Norwich on December 27, 1918. On January 17, 1919 was released to Dartford entering the 3rd Auxiliary Hospital until discharged to furlough on February 24, 1919. He was to have reported to Headquarters on March 3, 1919 and the following disciplinary action was taken on March 10:

Offence:London 3/3/19 A.W.L. from 10 a.m. until 3.30 p.m. 8/3/19

Award:Forfeit 6 day’s pay by Major C.H. Howard 10/3/19

Total forfeiture:12 day’s pay

He had been due to report to those headquarters on 3/3/19 and was dealt with by the Orderly Room on 10/3/19 and sent to No. 2 Command Depot at Weymouth.

After demobilisation Sapper Thurlow embarked from Devonport on April 4, 1919 on board the H.T. Armagh for the voyage to Australia. The ship docked on May 18, 1919 in Brisbane (1st M.D.)

Military Discharge was issued in Brisbane (1st M.D.) on termination of his period of enlistment on June 29, 1919. He is listed in Mowbray, Port Douglas with the occupation of labourer in 1919.

His Will was forwarded to the Assistant-Adjutant General in the 1st Military District on January 31, 1920.

The British War Medal (24508) and the Victory Medal (23681) were issued to Sapper 5635 Albert Ernest Thurlow, 2nd Tunnelling Company for serving his country.

Statements of Service were issued to the Repatriation Commission in Brisbane (1st M.D.) on June 21, 1922 and the Melbourne Branch, Vic (3rd M.D.) on September 22, 1924 and September 25, 1931.

He was a resident in Yarragon, Victoria and the following was published in the Morwell Advertiser on Thursday April 4, 1940: