Colin Leslie Thomson

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Tue, 22/12/2015 - 11:37
First Name: 
Colin
Middle Name: 
Leslie
Last Name: 
Thomson
Mother's Name: 
Maud Thomson nee Pettit
Father's Name: 
James Thomson
Date Enlisted: 
Thursday, April 13, 1916
Rank at Enlistment: 
Private
Rank at Discharge: 
Lieutenant
Unit: 
35th Battalion
Company: 
C
Service: 
Infantry
Awards: 
British War Medal
Victory Medal
Date of Death: 
Thursday, April 4, 1918
Place of Death: 
France
Cause of Death: 
Killed in action
Details: 

Colin Thomson (Service No 2160) was born in Wollongong, N.S.W.  in January 1895.

When Colin enlisted at the age of 22, he was single, lived at Mount Ousley via Wollongong and worked as a bank clerk.  Colin had served for 2 years in the CMF.  Shortly after he enlisted, Colin was made Acting Corporal, and on 11th July 1916, promoted to Acting Sergeant.

By the 24th August 1916, when he embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A68 Anchises, he carried the rank of Sergeant.  

The troops arrived in England on 11th October 1916, and on 20th November 1916, Colin's promotion to Sergeant was officially confirmed.

Colin joined A Company, 35th Battalion in France on 21st November 1916, and served on the Western Front until 29th May 1917 when he was wounded in action.  Colin was evacuated to hospital in England for treatment of gun shot wounds to his arm and buttocks.

While convalescing in England, Colin was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant, and on 25th June 1917 he was Commissioned as Lieutenant.  Carrying this rank, Colin was posted to C Company, 35th Battalion in France on 20th December 1917.

Colin was taking part in the fighting in the Amiens area when he was killed in action on 4th April 1918, during the German breakthrough.

He is buried in Crucifix Corner Cemetery, Villers-Bretonneux, France: Plot VII, Row C, Grave 24.  His service & sacrifice is commemorated on the Balgownie War Memorial.

Sources: 
NAA: B2455, THOMSON C L

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