The AIF Project

Thomas DRAPER

Regimental number1061
Place of birthCreagh, Shibbereene, Co Cork, Ireland
ReligionRoman Catholic
OccupationMechanic
Address3 Barclay Street, Ballarat, Victoria
Marital statusMarried
Age at embarkation33
Height5' 7"
Weight145 lbs
Next of kinWife, Mrs P Draper, 3 Barclay Street, Ballarat, Victoria
Previous military serviceServed in the Royal Navy for 12 years; time expired.
Enlistment date21 July 1915
Place of enlistmentBallarat, Victoria
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name30th Battalion, A Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/47/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A72 Beltana on 9 November 1915
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll5th Pioneer Battalion
FateEffective abroad (still overseas)
Discharge date11 March 1921
Other details

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Embarked at Sydney on HMAT 'Beltana', 9 November 1915. Disembarked Suez, 11 December 1915. Transferred to 8th Field Company, Australian Engineers, Tel el Kebir, 26 February 1916,. Sick to hospital at Ferry Post on 17 May 1916. Taken on strength 5th Pioneer Bn, 8th Field Company Engineers, 26 May 1916.

Embarked at Alexandria on Transport 'Canada' to join the British Expeditionary Force; disembarked Marseilles, France, 25 June 1916.

Found guilty whilst 'in the field' of being absent from his billet after hours on 6 August 1916 and breaking arrest on the same day: awarded 7 days' Field Punishment No. 2 by the CO of 5th Pioneer Bn. To hospital, 4 January 1917; rejoined unit from hospital, 28 January 1917. On leave to the United Kingdom, 9 June 1917; rejoined unit from leave, 26 June 1917.

Wounded in action, 18 April 1918 (gassed). Admitted to Line of Communication Hospital, 20 April 1918; invalided to the United Kingdom, 25 April 1918, and admitted to War Hospital, Exeter; diagnosed as 'severely gassed'. Admitted to No 3 Auxilary Hospital , Dartford, 'gas poisoning, 14 May 1918; discharged to No 3 Command Depot, Hurdcott, 17 May 1918. Admitted to Brigade Hospital, Hurdcott, 1 June 1918 (influenza). To Fovant Hospital, 'gas poisoning old', further diagnosis 'weakness', 3 June 1918. Discharged to Training Depot, Fovant, 28 June 1918. Absent without leave, 15 August 1918; no disciplinary action taken. Admitted to Fovant Hospital, Hurdcott, 22 August 1917 ('Cer: Haemorahage'). Further diagnosis of 'Concussion of Brain' with the recorded comment 'Ser ill' on the same day. Transferred to Military Hospital, Tidworth, 25 August 1918; to War Hospital, Napsbury, with diagnosis 'dangerously ill: Epilepsey and Mania', 19 December 1918. Next of kin, Mrs Draper of Ballarat Victoria, advised, on 3 January 1919, that 'Private Thomas Draper dangerously ill. On 24 January 1919, Mrs Draper advised 'condition slightly improved'.

Commenced return to Australia on H.T 'Borda'; comment recorded 'mental case'; disembarked Melbourne, 27 January 1920; discharged, 11 March 1921.

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

The 1914-15 Star and the Victory Medal were returned on 10 May 1923. There is a note that the British War Medal and the Victory Medal were sent to the Secretary of the Ballarat RSL, 9 June 1923.
Date of death11 September 1972
Place of burialCarlton Cemetery
SourcesNAA: B2455, DRAPER Thomas

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