Regimental number: 2750 Rank: Private
Returned to Australia (RTA) 31 July 1918
Thomas Bartholomew Telford was born in 1895 in Brisbane, Queensland to William and Annie (nee Bartholomew) Telford. The family lived in ‘Gracevilla’, Harrison Street, Bulimba. Thomas attended Bulimba School where he was a student, pupil teacher and teacher.
Thomas enlisted on 24 February 1916 in Brisbane aged 21 years. His marital status was listed as “single” on enlistment.
Thomas was ranked a Private in his unit, 52nd Battalion, 6th Reinforcement. He embarked from Sydney, New South Wales on HMAT A40 Ceramic on 7 October 1916 and arrived in Plymouth, England on 21 November 1916. He was sent to France on 28 December 1916, going into conflict on 6 January 1917.
In France he suffered from scabies and dermatitis and on 16 October 1917 he was wounded by a severe gunshot wound to his chest. He was sent to England and admitted to the 1st Station General Hospital in Birmingham. He was a convalescing at Weymouth, England until 1 June 1918 when he was assigned to a training unit. Thomas returned to Australia on 31 July 1918.
After he was discharged from the army, he returned to teaching at Bulimba School and was welcomed back at the school Christmas Break-up function in December 1918. In March 1919 Thomas’ application for a War Service Leave Gratuity was approved. He married Doris Mary White in 1920 and they lived in Johnston Street, Bulimba where they were active in the local Presbyterian Church. He volunteered in World War Two from 1942 to 1945 (Q201186).
Thomas Telford passed away 28 August 1965, in his 70th year, and is buried at Mt Thompson Crematorium.
