The AIF Project

Thomas ZELLER

Regimental number5700
Place of birthChinchilla, Queensland
SchoolChinchilla State School, Queensland
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationGrazier
AddressRidgeview, Chinchilla, Queensland
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation28.7
Height5' 7.25"
Weight143 lbs
Next of kinMother, Mrs Ann Zeller, Ridgeview, Chinchilla, Queensland
Enlistment date8 March 1916
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name26th Battalion, 15th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/43/4
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Brisbane, Queensland, on board HMAT A46 Clan Macgillivray on 7 September 1916
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll26th Battalion
FateKilled in Action 7 October 1917
Age at death from cemetery records30
Place of burialTyne Cot Cemetery (Plot XXIII, Row A, Grave 6), Passchendaele, Belgium
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
109
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Parents: John and Ann ZELLER
Family/military connectionsBrother: 2025 Corporal George Herbert ZELLER, 25th Bn, died of wounds, 9 April 1918.
Other details

War service: Western Front

Embarked Brisbane, 7 September 1916; disembarked Plymouth, England, 2 November 1916; marched into 7th Training Bn, Rollestone, 21 November 1, 30 January 1917 (bronchitis)916.

Admitted , Hurdcott, 19 May 1917.; transferred to No 1 Auxiliary Hospital, Harefield, 1 May 1917 (pneumonia); discharged to Admin Depot to Fargo Military Hospital.

Proceeded overseas to France, 5 July 1917; taken on strength, 26th Bn, in the field, 31 July 1917.

Wounded in action, Belgium, 7 October 1917.

Court of Enquiry, 15 April 1918, concluded: 'Killed in action, 7 October 1917.'

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal

Mother wrote to Base Records, January 1920: 'With regard to the War gratuity to the next-of-kin or parents of the Fallen heroes. Both my lads namely No. 2025 Corporal G.H. Zeller, 25th Batt. died of wounds 9.4.18 and No. 5700 Private T. Zeller, 26th Batt. killed in action on 7.10.1917, both made their Will in my favour as they always helped in my support before enlisting especially Corporal G.H. Zeller. Can I by any chance get the bonds cashed after they are issued, as altho' the Military allow me £1 week pension it is very hard to live on £1 per week now and owing to the dreadful drought we have nothing coming in this last 6 months and our few cattle are all dying out.'
SourcesNAA: B2455, ZELLER Thomas

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