SAPPER RONALD CHARLES SIMON THORN 3387 – 1st Tunnelling Company

Ipswich, Queensland was the birthplace of Ronald Charles Simon Thorn on June 11, 1869 the son of Charles and Francis Mary (nee Smith) Thorn. He married on May 10, 1896 to Annie Rebecca Janet McCallum and were registered from 1903 to 1908 residing at Esk, Queensland where he worked as a hairdresser.

In The Brisbane Courier on Friday June 30, 1911 the following was reported:

ROMA STREET FATALITY MAGISTERIAL INQUIRY Investigations into the fall of a wall, which caused the death of two workmen named Francis Charles Leo McKeown and John Doull, during the work of demolishing the building used as an office for the Commissioner for Railways, were continued before Mr R.D. Nelson, J.P. yesterday. Ronald Charles Simon Thorn, carpenter in the employ of the department, stated that he was one of Doull’s gang engaged in the demolition of the Old Commissioner’s office. He worked alone, nearest the eastern end of the wall. Doull told him to take out from 6in to 9in of the wall and leave in the “headers.” After lunch he saw McKeown and Doull working some 12ft or 13ft behind him. He heard Chambers call out and he ran clear of the end of the wall. He turned and saw the wall had fallen. He noticed no indication that the wall would fall. He could not account for the wall falling. Article abridged

In 1913 he was a carpenter at Benarkin in the Esk district.

At the Recruiting Office in Brisbane on February 10, 1916 the married carpenter applied to enlist for active service abroad. Passing the medical examination personal particulars were limited to his address at Cresswell Street, Newstead, Brisbane, name and occupation. Forms of Attestation were completed describing him as 179cms (5ft 9ins) tall, weighing 70.4kgs (155lbs) with a chest expansion of 92-97cms (36-38ins). Complexion was medium with hazel eyes and black hair. The eye test showed poor vision in his right eye and good sight from the left one and that he required dental treatment. Distinctive marks were three vaccination scars on his left arm and scars on his left shin. Church of England was his religious faith. Next-of-kin was his wife Mrs Annie Rebecca Janet Thorn of Cresswell Street, Newstead, Brisbane and later care of Mrs M.J. Ashburn, Liverpool Road, Clayfield, Brisbane, Qld.

Private Thorn commenced training at the 11th Depot Battalion, Enoggera Camp on February 22, 1916 until March 21 when he was sent to the Miners’ Depot (1st Military District) and recruited to the No. 4 Tunnelling Company. His rank was Sapper with the regimental number 3387.

The recruits formed part of the No. 4 Company which embarked from Brisbane, Qld early in May, 1916 aboard HMAT A69 Warilda for Sydney, NSW. Six officers and 152 other ranks together with the 1st Reinforcements of fifteen other ranks made up the two sections.

At Rosebery Park, Sydney, NSW on May 10, 1916 they joined their Headquarters and two sections (8 officers & 153 O.Rs.) plus 1st Reinforcements consisting of one officer and seventeen other ranks for final training.

The 7713-ton transport departed Sydney, NSW on May 22, 1916 and collected in Melbourne, Victoria the No. 5 Tunnelling Company recruited from Victoria, South Aust. & Tasmania made up of Headquarters and 2 Sections (8 officers & 173 men) (3 M.D.). 1 Section from Tasmania (3 officers & 76 O.Rs); also 1 st Reinforcements for No. 5 Company (17 men from Vic. & 8 men Tas.) The ship departed on May 25, 1916 for Adelaide, S.A. to collect one Section of 3 officers & 76 O.Rs with 1st Reinforcements of 8 O.Rs.

Docking at Fremantle, W.A. on June 1, 1916 added No. 6 Tunnelling Company recruited from W.A. of 14 officers and 325 O.Rs along with 1st Reinforcements of 1 Officer & 32 O.Rs departing the same day. Durban, South Africa was reached on June 16, 1916 and Cape Town on June 21, 1916 while St Vincent completed the African ports of call on July 7, 1916. Discipline was fairly good except at intermediate ports where Away without Leave caused concern. The fifty-eight day voyage experienced remarkable pleasant weather terminating at Plymouth, England on July 18, 1916. Four, Five and Six Companies comprising of 1064 officers and other ranks were detrained to Amesbury and Tidworth to begin training for the front at Perham Down’s camp.

The Reinforcements proceeded to France on August 29, 1916 and marched into the 2nd Aust Divisional Base Depot the next day.

Sapper Thorn was taken on strength on with the 1st Tunnelling Company on September 30, 1916.

He went sick to the 6th London Field Ambulance on November 22, 1916 and admitted with Amblyopia (dimness of vision) and rejoined his unit on November 26.

On December 14, 1916 he was admitted to the 3rd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station with Rheumatism and conveyed on A.T.18 two days later to the 14th Stationary Hospital in Boulogne having contact with Scarlet Fever and later Pneumonia. Was sent on January 10, 1917 to the 1st Command Depot in Boulogne and five days later to report for Base Duties to the Aust General Base Depot in Etaples and marched in on January 19.

He was transferred to England for ‘permanent base duty’ on February 13, 1917 arriving at the No. 2 Command Depot at Weymouth on February 17. On April 6, 1917 he marched out for his return to Australia.

Sapper Thorn was invalided to Australia on May 4, 1917 departing from Devonport for the voyage home on the H.T. Themistocles for discharge due to overage. The ship docked in Sydney, NSW (2nd M.D.) and he disembarked on July 4, 1917 to return to Brisbane, Qld (1st M.D.).

Military Discharge was issued in Brisbane (1st M.D.) on August 10, 1917 as medically unfit. The following day he was granted a pension of £1 per fortnight from August 11, 1917 and his wife Annie received a pension of 10 shillings per fortnight to be sent to their address at Sandgate Road, Clayfield, Brisbane. As from March 28, 1918 this was reduced to $1.50 (15/-) per fortnight for himself and 75 cents per fortnight for his wife. Their address remained the same.

The British War Medal (17101) and the Victory Medal (16704) were issued to Sapper 3387 Ronald Charles Simon Thorn, 1st Tunnelling Company for serving his country.

A Statement of Service was sent to the Repatriation Commission in Brisbane on February 8, 1929.

In The Courier-Mail Wednesday October 30, 1935 the following family information was printed:

OBITUARY Mrs F.M. Markwell—A link with the early days of Queensland was severed on October 22 by the death of Mrs Francis Mary Markwell, which occurred at the residence of her daughter, Mrs F.M. Ellis, Clayfield. Mrs Markwell, who was aged 88 years, was born in Melbourne, and was the daughter of John Pridham Smith. She came to Queensland with her mother and stepfather (Dr Ronald Gunn), and as they stepped of the boat, the bells were ringing for Queen Alexandra’s wedding. Their first home was in Eagle Street, practically on the site where Thos Brown and Sons building now stands. In 1867 Miss Smith married Charles Thorn (Rosebrook Station) who died in 1877. Mrs Thorn then lived in Ipswich and later married Mr Benjamin Markwell (Beaudesert), after which they lived at Esk, where Mrs Markwell was known for her philantropic work. Mr Markwell died in 1921. Mrs Markwell, who was fond of music, riding and dancing, made her debut at Governor Bowen’s first ball. During the last 15 years almost of her time was spent doing fancywork and tatting most of which was donated to the Church and charities. She is survived by one son (Mr R.C.S. Thorn), three daughters (Mesdames F.M. Ellis, Walter Francis, and J.M. Ashburn, all of Brisbane), 13 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Five children predeceased her. Their residence from 1919 onwards was Eton Street, Nundah, Brisbane with his occupation as carpenter. Ronald Charles Simon Thorn passed away on May 10, 1946 aged 77 years. Arrangements were announced in The Courier-Mail May 11, 1946:

THORN, Ronald Charles Simon, Eton Street, Nundah, first A.I.F.—the Relatives & Friends of Mrs R.C.S. Thorn, Mr & Mrs C.R. Thorn & Family, Mr A.S. Thorn are respectfully advised of the death of their beloved Husband, Father, Father-in-law, & Grandfather. The funeral is arranged to leave the Parlour, 400 Wickham St., To-day (Saturday), at 11.30 for the Brisbane Crematorium, arriving 12 o’clock. METROPOLITAN FUNERALS THORN, Ronald Charles Simon—Totally & Permanently Disabled Soldiers’ Association —Officers & Members of above Association are requested to attend the Funeral of their late comrade, Ronald Thorn, to leave as per family notice. By order, Secretary.

In the War Memorial Section of the Mount Thompson Crematorium Brisbane a plaque commemorates his War Service.

He is also commemorated with a War Service Plaque in the Garden of Remembrance at Pinnaroo Lawn Cemetery, Bridgeman Downs, Brisbane on Wall 1 Row A. © Donna Baldey 2012 www.tunnellers.net