Thomas James Procter

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Wed, 23/09/2015 - 13:41

First Name:

Thomas

Middle Name:

James

Last Name:

Procter

Alternate Spelling:

Proctor

Mother's Name:

Mary Ann (nee James)

Father's Name:

George Procter

Date Enlisted:

Friday, January 28, 1916

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Private

Unit:

35th Battalion

Company:

B Company

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Monday, June 11, 1917

Place of Death:

France

Cause of Death:

Died of wounds received

Details:

Thomas Procter (Service No 534) was born in Wollongong, NSW about 1885. At the time of enlistment he stated he was a single 31 year old shiftman. His next of kin is listed as his adopted daughter Phyllis. A number of letters on file from an Amy Williams do not give specific details but indicate that she is Thomas' de-facto wife and has the care of his adopted child. She states reasons for the adoption are private and personal. The Army accepted her claims.

He embarked on HMAT A24 Benalla with B Company, 35th Battalion on 1st May 1916. Thomas arrived in England on 9th July 1916 and after some training was sent to France arriving on 21st November 1916. He survived the terrible winter of 1916/17 seeing service on the Western Front.

On 8th June 1917 Thomas was evacuated to 13th General Hospital suffering gun shot wounds to his neck and skull. He died from these wounds 3 days later and is buried in Bologne Eastern Cemetery Plot IV, Row B, Grave 58.

A note on his file states he was mentioned for bravery in the field.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, PROCTER THOMAS JAMES