Sapper Thomas Crownshaw

SAPPER THOMAS CROWNSHAW

7787 – 3rd Tunnelling Company

Thomas Crownshaw was born in Sheffield, England on October 8, 1895 the son of George Crownshaw. He came to Australia. He was probably a miner for his postal address in 1917 was G.P.O. Lithgow, NSW.

At the Recruiting Depot in Townsville, Qld on June 20 1917 the twenty-one year old miner enlisted for active service abroad. Passing the medical examination, forms of Attestation were completed revealing his particulars as 177cms (5ft 9½ins) tall, weighing 58.63kgs (129lbs) with a chest expansion of 84-89cms (33-35ins). Complexion was dark with brown eyes testing to good vision and brown hair. Church of England was his faith and next-of-kin was his father Mr George Crownshaw of No. 2 Saville Square Hoyland, Sheffield, Eng. Swearing in took place the same day.

At the Enoggera camp, Brisbane, Qld basic training commenced on June 26, 1917 with the Pioneer Battalion. Home leave was granted and taken from July 2 to July 8, 1917 then transferred to the Miners’ Depot 1st Military District. On August 8 he was sent to the Miners’ Training Camp at Seymour, Vic for further instruction until August 28 then went to train with “A Coy” in Bendigo, Vic until November 2, 1917. Returning to Seymour was assigned to the November Reinforcements, 1917 for Tunnelling Companies in the rank of Sapper with the regimental number 7787 until November 20. In preparation for departure he made a Will which was forwarded to Base Records on January 14, 1918. The men left for Broadmeadows Camp the next day for an overnight stay before embarking for abroad.

The troopship HMAT A71 Nestor departed Port Melbourne, Vic on November 21, 1917 with 168 Reinforcements on board. The voyage of twenty-five days duration terminated at the Suez on December 15, 1917 and the men disembarked going to the Australian Infantry Camp, Suez the same day. On January 9, 1918 the Reinforcements left Port Said aboard the H.M.T. B:102 Kashgar arriving at Taranto, Italy on January 20. A week later in Italy were entrained at Bordighira on January 27 and reached Cherbourg, France at the end of the month. On January 31, 1918 the H.M.T. C.O.168 Mona’s Queen conveyed them across the English Channel where they disembarked at Southampton, England on February 2, 1918. A further entrainment completed their journey to Tidworth and they marched into No. 3 Details Camp at Parkhouse for further training for the front.

The Reinforcements proceeded to France via Southampton on March 22, 1918 and marched into the Aust General Base Depot at Rouelles. Three days later Sapper Crownshaw was sent to the Aust Corps Depot as Caestre.

He was transferred to the 3rd Tunnelling Company at Peruois on May 24, 1918 and taken on strength two days later.

On August 18, 1918 he went sick to the 73rd Field Ambulance with Diarrhoea and transferred to the 13th Casualty Clearing Station and admitted with N.Y.D. (not yet diagnosed). Was discharged to duty on September 22 and rejoined his unit the same day.

He was with his unit when Peace was declared and the Tunnelling Companies remained on the front as part of the Army of Occupation assisting with rehabilitation of roads and bridges.

Leave from France was granted from January 10 until January 24, 1919 but he rejoined his unit on February 8, 1919.

The following day the Commanding Officer of the Company issued this punishment:

Crime:A.W.L. from 0600 hrs 24/1/19 to 1130 hrs 29/1/19

Award:Forfeits 10 days pay

Total forfeiture:16 days pay. 9/2/19.

Members of his company returned to England on May 9, 1919 marching in to the No. 4 Group Camp two days later. On July 3 Sapper Crownshaw went to No. 2 Group Camp.

He was granted Non Military Employment leave from September 2, 1919 until October 31, 1919 with subsistence and pay on a letter from his employer for the purpose gaining experience in coal mining. He would be attending the J. Ashley Colliery, N.E. Barnaby in Yorkshire. He was taken on strength from the 3rd Tunnelling Company to A.I.F. Headquarters for this duration and his address was 44 Georges Square. London.

On completion of N.M.E. Leave he departed the Deputy Assistant Adjutant General’s Department, London for Sutton Veny camp on October 30, 1919.

Departure from London was on board the H.T. Aeneas commencing on November 22, 1919. The voyage terminated in Sydney, NSW (2nd M.D.) on January 12, 1920 and he returned to Brisbane, Qld (1st M.D.)

Base Records forwarded the copy of his Will to the A.A.G. in Brisbane (1st M.D.) on December 10, 1919.

At the 6th Aust General Hospital at Kangaroo Point, Brisbane on January 14, 1920 he was assessed for any medical disabilities. Essential case facts noted were Dysentery in 1919 and slightly gassed. He was recommended by staff for demobilisation a day later.

Military Discharge on the termination of his period of enlistment took place in Brisbane, Qld on February 13, 1920.

Sapper 7787 Thomas Crownshaw, 3rd Tunnelling Company was awarded the British War Medal (32374) and the Victory Medal (30413) for his service to his country.