| Regimental number | 3621 |
| Date of birth | |
| Place of birth | Cavenagh, South Australia |
| School | South Broken Hill Public School, New South Wales |
| Religion | Congregational |
| Occupation | School teacher |
| Address | Blende Street North, Broken Hill, New South Wales |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 27 |
| Next of kin | Mother, Mrs Mary Ann Thorn, Blende Street North, Broken Hill, New South Wales |
| Enlistment date | |
| Rank on enlistment | Acting Corporal |
| Unit name | 27th Battalion, 8th Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/44/2 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A30 Borda on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Corporal |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 10th Battalion |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Place of death or wounding | Pozieres, Somme Sector, France |
| Family/military connections | Brother: 2238 Pte Arthur THORN, 27th Bn, killed in action, 5 November 1916. |
| Other details |
War service:Western Front Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal This letter was found on him after he was killed; the letter is dated 23 July 1916: 'My darling Mother and all at home, We are on the eve of a very great battle, and no man of us knows whether or not he may be in this world this time tomorrow. This may, therefore, be my last farewell here, but I know that God will support you, whatever befalls. We have no fear, and we should all be thankful to possess the assurance that our partings here are only temporary, and that we shall at last meet in a better and happier world. Should any of your own fall, do not grieve for us, but be thankful that our rest is come, as will that for us all, sooner or later, and when we meet again our present trials will seem quite insignificant compared with the future joy. Remember, darling mother, that our end will most likely be unconscious, and hence painless. Should we fall, and, although we have seen the awfulness of the worst part of the battlefield, we go without fear, commending our loved ones at home, who are perhaps called upon to make the great sacrifice of loved ones to God's merciful care. Remember His sacrifice for us. - Ever your loving son, Reginald Samuel Thorn.' |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
