Sunday, April 13, 2014

End of the War

Thomas’ military records reveal that on the 4th October 1918 he was transferred from England and “proceeded overseas France from Southampton”. On the 8th October 1918 he arrived at Rouen, a town approximately 130km northwest of Paris, where the allies had established camps and hospital stations. According to his military records Thomas was stationed with the Australian Corps Headquarters in mid October 1918. 

On the 26th October 1918 he was 'detached for duty' to a small town called Longpré-les-Corps-Saints.  Approximately 100 km to the south east of Longpré-les-Corps-Saints is another town called Compiegne.  It was at Compiegne on the 11 November 1918 that the Germans and allies signed the Armistice that ended the war.


On the 10th February 1919 Thomas was promoted to the rank of corporal. In May 1919 a note in one of Thomas' medical reports reveals he had crossed into Belgium for an unspecified period of time. According to Thomas' military records he was granted ‘disembarkment leave’ on the 31st July 1919.  On the 17th August 1919 he arrived at Folkestone, England, where he was assigned to escort duties at the AIF Headquarters in London. Thomas' records also reveal that he had leave from the 30th September 1919.  On the 18th October 1919, Thomas returned to France for further duties.  In early 1920 he returned to England and was based at the AIF headquarters at Warwick Square, London.