| Accession Number | AWM2017.842.1.1 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white - Print silver gelatin |
| Place made | Australia: Victoria, Melbourne |
| Date made | c 1915 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Studio portrait of 516 Corporal Rees William Thomas, 21st Battalion
Description
Studio portrait of 516 Corporal Rees William Thomas, 21st Battalion. Pte Thomas, a salesman from Ringwood, Victoria, enlisted on 4 February 1915, aged 18 years. With previous experience in the Cadets and Citizens Military Forces, Thomas was appointed to corporal and assigned to the 21st Battalion. While in Egypt, Thomas was promoted to sergeant, then travelled onto Gallipoli for a brief period before being evacuated from illness. Months later, after time in hospitals in Malta and England, Thomas re-joined his unit on the Western Front on 5 August 1916. Shortly after, he was wounded in action and again evacuated to England to recover. Returning to the 21st Battalion in May 1917, Thomas was promoted to Company Sergeant Major, and soon after, awarded the Military Medal on 31 October 1917. He was killed in action on 5 October 1918 at age 22.