| Regimental number | 497 |
| Place of birth | Ballarat, Victoria |
| School | Ascot State School, Victoria |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Occupation | Farmer |
| Address | Ascot, via Tourello, Victoria |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 26 |
| Height | 5' 8.75" |
| Weight | 168 lbs |
| Next of kin | Father, S R Thomas, 3 Trench Street, Ballarat, Victoria |
| Previous military service | Nil |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Melbourne, Victoria |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 4th Light Horse Regiment, C Squadron |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 10/9/1 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board Transport A18 Wiltshire on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Sergeant |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 4th Light Horse Regiment |
| Other details from Roll of Honour Circular | Sailed with the 1st Contingent, AIF. Wounded at Gallipoli, July 1915. After recovering did Post Office duty in Alexandria, Egypt. Later transferred to the Australian Base Post Office, London; then recalled to his old regiment in April 1918. Promoted to Sergeant while doing Post Office duties. Wounded near Damascus, 30 September 1918; died of influenza, Abbassia, Egypt. (details from sister, Nora E.J. Thomas) |
| Fate | Died of disease |
| Place of death or wounding | Damascus, Syria |
| Age at death | 30.4 |
| Age at death from cemetery records | 30 |
| Place of burial | Cairo War Memorial Cemetery (Row O, Grave No. 346), Egypt |
| Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 4 |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: Samuel Russell and Honoria THOMAS |
| Family/military connections | Cousins (2nd): 572 Regimental Sergeant Major James Thomas RICHARDS, 39th Bn, killed in action 8 June 1917; 44778 Pte Arthur PRIOR, 15th North Auckland Regiment, NZEF, killed in action, 31 August 1918. |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, England, Palestine, Syria Embarked Alexandria to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, Gallipoli, 20 May 1915. Wounded in action, 16 July 1915 (shrapnel wound, left thigh); admitted to HS 'Sicilia', transferred to Malta, and admitted to Floriana Hospital, 28 July 1915. Discharged, and transferred to HT 'Karoa' for duty, 8 September 1915. Transferred to Australian Army Postal Corps, Cairo, 6 March 1916. Promoted Corporal, 8 March 1916. Embarked Alexandria, 13 June 1916; disembarked Plymouth, England, 23 June 1916. Appointed Acting Sergeant whilst in charge of Records Section, Australian Base Post Office, 15 May 1917. Promoted Extra Regimental Sergeant, 8 March 1918. Found guilty, 11 March 1918, of disobedience of orders: reprimanded. Marched out to No 1 Command Depot, Sutton Veny, 30 March 1918, and reverted to Corporal on ceasing duty with Postal Corps. Proceeded overseas to Egypt via Marseilles, 20 May 1918; disembarked Alexandria, 14 June 1918. Rejoined 4th Light Horse Regiment, 27 June 1918. Wounded in action, 30 September 1918 (gun shot wound, right knee), and admitted to 4th Light Horse Field Ambulance. Embarked Haifa, 9 October 1918; disembarked Alexandria, 10 October 1918, and admitted to 31st General Hospital, Abbassia, 11 October 1918. Listed as dangerously ill, 19 October 1918 (influenza). Died of influenza and myocarditis, 31st General Hospital, Abbassia, 21 October 1918. Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, THOMAS Albert Ernest Victor |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
