Thomas William Eyeington

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Tue, 15/03/2016 - 10:57

First Name:

Thomas

Middle Name:

William

Last Name:

Eyeington

Date of Birth:

Wednesday, September 25, 1895

Mother's Name:

Elizabeth Eyeington nee Harrigate

Father's Name:

George Eyeington

Date Enlisted:

Monday, November 13, 1916

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Private

Unit:

45th Battalion

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Friday, August 30, 1935

Details:

Thomas Eyeington (Service No 4533) was born in Taylorville, New Zealand. His family came to Australia, settling in Corrimal, N.S.W. when Thomas was a child.

Thomas enlisted in Kiama, N.S.W. when he was 21 years old, single, and employed as a miner. Previously, Thomas had served 21 days with the Mobile Troops.

He embarked from Sydney on HMAT A72 Beltana with 12th Reinforcements, 30th Battalion on 25th November 1916. He arrived in England on 29th January 1917 and went into camp for training. Thomas was transferred to 45th Battalion and joined them in France on 9th July 1917. He saw service on the Western Front and was engaged in the Messines and Passchendaele battles.

On 5th April 1918 James was wounded in action and evacuated to hospital in France for treatment of a gun shot wound to his back. He returned to his unit on 23rd May 1918 and served until the end of the war.

On 23rd March 1919 he married Florence Cornish in London and she returned to Australia with him in August 1919.

Thomas was discharged from the AIF on 9th November 1919.

Thomas died at the age of 39, and is buried at Gunnedah, N.S.W.

He is commemorated on the Corrimal Public School War Memorial.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, EYEINGTON T W