Thomas Lithgow

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Wed, 25/01/2017 - 11:09

First Name:

Thomas

Last Name:

Lithgow

Father's Name:

William Lithgow

Date Enlisted:

Saturday, August 5, 1916

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Private

Unit:

20th Battalion

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Thursday, December 31, 1936

Place of Death:

Wollongong Hospital, Wollongong, N.S.W.

Details:

Thomas Lithgow (Service No 6133), was born in Glasgow, Scotland about 1875.

He came to Australia in 1894 and married Leah James, in Newcastle, N.S.W., in 1898. Thomas and Leah had 3 children, before the marriage failed in about 1906. The children remained with Thomas and they lived in Balgownie, N.S.W. where he worked as a miner.

Thomas enlisted at Stanwell Park, N.S.W., on 14th December 1915, but was discharged on 3rd March 1916. He was successful a few months later in Sydney, N.S.W. At this time, his son William, was on his way to England to serve with the Electrical & Mechanical Mining Unit.

At enlistment, he was married, 42 years old and worked as a miner. Thomas listed his wife, Leah, as next of kin but as her address was unknown it was changed to his son, Thomas.

Thomas embarked on HMAT A11 Ascanius, with 20th Battalion, 17th Reinforcement, on 25th October 1916. He arrived in England on 28th December 1916, and served there until he went to France, on 21st November 1917. Thomas returned to England, on 25th January 1918. He was repatriated to Australia, in March 1918, and discharged medically unfit on 12th June 1918, due to age and rheumatism.

On his return there was a welcome home for Balgownie's oldest soldier.

Thomas died on New Years Eve, 1936, age 63 years. He was given a Military Funeral.

Thomas is commemorated on the Balgownie Presbyterian Church Roll of Honor and the Balgownie War Memorial 1914-1918, along with his son, William (Service No 3635), who also served.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, LITHGOW THOMAS