The AIF Project
George Thornton
First Name:
George
Last Name:
Thornton
Mother's Name:
Susan Thornton
Date Enlisted:
Monday, April 10, 1916
Rank at Enlistment:
Private
Rank at Discharge:
Private
Unit:
Reinforcement 5
Company:
14th Light Trench Mortar Battery
Service:
Infantry
Details:
George Thornton (Service No 1846) was born at Mount Keira, Wollongong, and was 34 years old and employed as a school teacher at the time of his enlistment. A man of small stature, it seems he was not of a robust constitution, but nonetheless saw action on the western front during 1917. After several bouts of asthma and bronchitis, he was discharged as medically unfit on 12 July, 1918.
George embarked from Sydney on 2 December, 1916 on HMAT Orsova A67, and disembarked at Plymouth on 17 February, 1917. Posted to France on 25 September 1917, he was invalided to hospital in England on 28 November 1917.
George returned to Australia on HMAT Osterley,which left England on 15 April 1918. On his return, George was discharged, medically unfit due to chronic bronchitis.
After his return from the war, George farmed an orchard at Cordeaux River where two of his sisters had married local orchardists.
After his marriage to Margaret Sutherland, George and his wife moved to Wilton where George acquired land, and the family lived there for the remainder of their lives.
George died at Camden District Hospital on 28 August 1948, at the age of 66.
Sources:
MAA: B2455 THORNTON GEORGE
