Pte
Thomas Joseph O'Donohue

Informations sur naissance

Année de naissance:
1881
Lieu de naissance:
Branxton, New South Wales, Australia, Australia

Informations générales

Dernière résidence connue:
Dalby, Queensland, Australia
Profession:
Ouvrier
Religion:
catholique romain

Informations service militaire

Pays:
Australia
Force armée:
Australian Imperial Force
Rang:
Private
Numéro de service:
1886
Incorporation date:
25/02/1916
Incorporation nom de lieu:
Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia
Unités:
 —  Australian Infantry, 42nd Bn.  (Dernière unité connue)

Informations sur décès

Date de décès:
04/10/1917
Lieu de décès:
Retaliation Farm, Zonnebeke, Belgique
Cause du décès:
Killed in action (K.I.A.)
Âge:
36

Cimetière

Tyne Cot Cemetery
Parcelle: XXXVI
Rangée: C
Tombe: 17

Distinctions et médailles 2

British War Medal
Médaille
Victory Medal
Médaille

Points d'intérêt 4

#1 Lieu de naissance
#2 Dernière résidence connue
#3 Lieu d'enrôlement
#4 Lieu du décès (approximatif)

Mon histoire

Thomas Joseph O’Donohue, a former labourer, was born in May, 1881 in Branxton, New South Wales, Australia. He was the son of Patrick and Mary O’Donohue. On February 25, 1916 he enlisted in Toowoomba, Queensland and embarked from Brisbane on board HMAT A42 Boorara on August 16, 1916, with the 2nd reinforcement of the 42nd Battalion, part of the 11th Australian Brigade of the 3rd Australian Division.

On October 4, 1917 the 42nd Battalion took part in the attack on the Broodseinde Ridge. Their assembly point was located between Hill 40 and the Zonnebeke station on the Ypres-Roulers railroad. The attack began at 6 a.m. John’s Battalion advanced behind the 43rd Australian Infantry. Forty minutes later the 42nd Battalion leapfrogged through the 43rd and moved towards Thames. The Germans were caught off guard and John’s Battalion captured the fortified positions at Alma and Thames without much fighting. After the line at Thames had been consolidated, the 44th Battalion moved through, continuing the attack on the ridge. Though the men didn’t met much resistance along the way, the German artillery heavily shelled the advance. Most casualties were sustained due to shell fire. Casualties were especially high when a barrage caught the advance in Thames Wood.

Thomas Joseph, aged 36, was killed in action on October 4, 1917. Private O’Donohue was initially buried where he fell, west of Retaliation Farm (28.D.28.c.70.70). After the war, his remains were exhumed and reinterred at Tine Cot Cemetery, Plot XXXVI, Row C, Grave 17.

Sources 5

11th Brigade Australian Infantry (Australian War Memorial, Campbell (AWM), AWM4 23/11/11).
https://www.awm.gov.au/
Sources utilisées
42nd Battalion Australian Infantry (Australian War Memorial, Campbell (AWM), AWM4 23/59/12).
https://www.awm.gov.au/
Sources utilisées
First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920 (National Archives of Australia, Canberra (NAA), B2455).
https://www.naa.gov.au/
Sources utilisées
Picture T.J. O'Donohue
https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/208866684?keyword=o%27donohue%201886
Sources utilisées
Unit embarkation nominal rolls, 1914-18 War (Australian War Memorial, Campbell (AWM), AWM8).
https://www.awm.gov.au/
Sources utilisées

Complément d’informations 4