Regimental number | 644 |
Place of birth | Muswellbrook New South Wales |
Religion | Church of England |
Occupation | Grazier |
Address | Thorndale, Spring Creek, New South Wales |
Marital status | Single |
Age at embarkation | 27 |
Next of kin | Father, S L Thornton, Thorndale, Muswellbrook, New South Wales |
Enlistment date | |
Rank on enlistment | Gunner |
Unit name | Field Artillery Brigade 1, Brigade Ammunition Column |
AWM Embarkation Roll number | 13/29/1 |
Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board Transport A8 Argyllshire on |
Rank from Nominal Roll | Sergeant |
Unit from Nominal Roll | 1st Field Artillery Brigade |
Fate | Returned to Australia |
Medals |
Military Medal 'At POLYGON WOOD on the 7th October 1917. A section of Guns was shelled by a 4.2" enemy Gun. The third shot hit the Gun and ignited the ammunition alongside Sergeant THORNTON (who was in charge of the Gun) was some distance away but at once ran over and carried one of the detachment who had been knocked over by the shell to some distance away - and returned to the Pit and extinguished the burning ammunition - with the result that only a few rounds were destroyed. This conduct is typical of this N.C.O. under all conditions.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 31 Date: Bar to Military Medal "On 19th October 1917, when the 1st Australian Battery was in action near POLYGON WOOD East of YPRES an enemy shell scored a direct hit on one of the guns and detonated ammunition alongside. This N.C.O. with Sergeant Baker and Gunner Taylor at once ran up and extinguished the ammunition although the amount burning was considerable, and the battery was still being heavily shelled (100 rounds were detroyed). By his courage and promptness a great deal of ammunition was saved and several of the guns which meant so much as this ammunition was only placed in Battery Postion at great fatigue and risk to drivers and horses; and the saving of this ammunition kept the battery properly supplied and thereby in action.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 110 Date: |