| Regimental number | 1686 |
| Place of birth | Belfast, Co Antrim, Ireland |
| Other training | Apprenticeship at Harland Wolffe, Belfast for 5 years |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Occupation | Ship rigger |
| Address | 99 Phillip Street, Balmain |
| Marital status | Married |
| Age at embarkation | 32 |
| Height | 5' 4.5" |
| Weight | 137 lbs |
| Next of kin | Wife, Mr A E Duffy, 99 Phillip Street, Balmain |
| Previous military service | Served in the Royal Navy; discharged, time expired. |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Liverpool, New South Wales |
| Rank on enlistment | Corporal |
| Unit name | 19th Battalion, 2nd Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/36/2 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A61 Kanowna on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Sergeant |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 19th Battalion |
| Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Military Medal For conspicuous work as scout, particularly patrolling Momument Wood and surrounding country and gaining information as to evacuation of Sapignies. Recommendation date: |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Age at death from cemetery records | 35 |
| Place of burial | Peronne CommunalCemetery Extension (Plot III, Row G, Grave No. 23), France |
| Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 88 |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: Thoms and Ann Synott DUFFY. |
| Medals |
Military Medal Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 140 Date: |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Gallipoli , Western Front Proceeded from Alexandria to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force,16 August 1915. Appointed Temporary Corporal, 22 September 1915. Disembarked Alexandria, 7 January 1916 (general Gallipoli evacuation). Appointed Corporal, 8 February 1916. Proceeded from Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 18 March 1916; disembarked Marseilles, 25 March 1916. Found guilty, 8 June 1916, of when on active service striking a soldier, 14 May 1916 (pleaded guilty): awarded reduction to the ranks; period under detention awaiting trial: 28 days. Found guilty, 3 September 1916, of being absent without leave, 2.30-4.30 pm, 1 September, and from 9.30-11.30 am and 2.30-4.30 pm, 2 September 1916: awarded 10 days' Field Punishment No 2; forfeited a total of 10 days' pay. Promoted Temporary Corporal, 1 April 1917; Sergeant, 4 June 1917. Awarded the Military Medal. Marched in to 5th Training Bn, Rollestone, England, for duty, 6 September 1917. Proceeded overseas to France, 15 November 1917; rejoined 19th Bn, Belgium, 22 November 1917. Severely reprimanded for drunkenness, 16 April 1918. Proceeded to Infantry Course, Australian Corps School, 9 July 1918; rejoined Bn, 16 August 1918. Killed in action, 31 August 1918. Buried in Isolated Graves about 90 yards West of Mont St Quentin Communal Cemetery, 1.25 miles North of Peronne. Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal Wife wrote to Base Records, 19 April 1919: 'I want to know why I have not received all my Husbands belongings as he has three children for to claim their fathers things. There is other things that should have come as thery would be worshipt by his little ones and no one other as there is a man back here who who sent word to tell me that when I got his parcel to get a 3 penny bit that my husband found in his Xmas pudding over two years ago and it was not there. Also I would be glad to know when and how long I have to wait for my husbands Deferd Pay as I am greatly in nead of it and there is other money to that solders are getting prize money. I would be glad if you could hurry it along for me as I am neading it badly as we have no one to care or give us anything as we have lost our one and only friend. So I hope the Milletry will do their Dutie as for his little ones as he done his for his King and Country.' Wife subsequently died; son ( b. 25 March 1914) placed in Mater Dei Orphanage, Narellan (statutory declaration, Mother Superior, 18 September 1923). |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, DUFFY Thomas |