Brittain, Thomas Richard
No.783 – Private Thomas Richard Brittain – 12th Battalion AIF
Thomas Richard Brittain was born in Bunbury Western Australia to William and Frances Brittain in 1873. He attended the local Bunbury School and later went on to work as a labourer. In 1912 he was living at White Street in Bunbury and prior to enlistment he was residing at 23 Lily Street South Fremantle. (later renumbered to 13 Lilly) and then with his sister Mrs. G Maguire at 91 South Street Fremantle.
He offered his services to the Australian Imperial Force on the 10th September 1914 and was given a medical examination. He was passed as fit, with the medical examiner finding him to be 5 feet 9 ½ inches in height; weight of 161 lbs; chest measurement of 37 inches; fair complexion; blue eyes and brown hair. His religious denomination was Church of England.
Thomas was assigned to G Company of the 12th Battalion AIF with the regimental number 783. The WA Companies of the 12th Battalion trained at Blackboy Hill Camp until they embarked from Fremantle on the 2nd November 1914 aboard the H.M.A.T. “Medic”. After arriving in Egypt, the Battalion trained till March 1915 when they embarked for Lemnos Island. Further training was conducted here for the next six weeks as the Battalion prepared to land on the Turkish coast.
On April 25th 1915, the 9th, 10th and 11th Battalions landed along the Turkish coast at Gallipoli, while the 12th Battalion was split amongst these three battalions. Thomas Brittain’s Company landed in support of the 11th Battalion in the vicinity of North Beach. He survived the landing though he was initially reported as missing as he did not report to the Battalion when it mustered on the beach for roll call on May 2nd. This was soon cleared up and Thomas continued to serve at Anzac.
The 12th Battalion were for the next few months in the trenches at the south of the Anzac battlefield at Bolton’s Ridge. They participated in raids against the Turks but their next large event was the attack at Lone Pine on the 7th August when they reinforced the 1st Brigade who had captured the position. The 12th had many casualties in holding the 1st Brigade’s gains though Thomas survived the battle. However on the 14th August he was evacuated ill, firstly to Malta and then on to England, the official diagnoses being Gastric trouble and an injury to his groin. Admitted to the Royal Naval Hospital at Greenwich England, in September he was transferred to the Military Hospital in Fulham.
Thomas did not return to Gallipoli but when he was well again in early 1916 he joined the infantry depot at Weymouth and in March 1916 was attached to the 28th Draft that left England to rejoin the MEF. As the 12th battalion was already full and about to depart for France, Thomas was assigned to the details camp at Tel-el-Kebir. On the 13th May 1916 he was admitted to hospital with a boil on his hand and was also diagnosed with cellulites which meant more time in hospital. After he was sent back to the Details Camp in August he was re-admitted to hospital with venereal disease. After he had seemingly recovered Thomas was finally sent to England, leaving Alexandria on the 27th August 1916.
His records are sparse after this date and it does not seem that he ever went to France but seemingly stayed in England. On the 19th April 1917 he was admitted to Fargo hospital with pneumonia and on the 24th April 1917, just short of two years to the day when he landed at Anzac, Thomas died. He was buried in Durrington Cemetery Grave No.235.
His will stated that his seven sisters would divide up his assets among them.
They chose the following epitaph for his grave;
'A Hero at Rest’