FAULKNER Thomas Wilfred

Thomas Wilfred Faulkner was the second child of Thomas Faulkner and Mary Smith. He married Lydia Charlesworth on 09 December 1896 at Barcaldine, Queensland. Lydia was born on 18 February 1873 in Queensland. She was a child of Samuel Charlesworth and Mary Ann Casley. Thomas and Lydia had 4 children together. Lydia died on 22 March 1916 at Longreach, Queensland. Thomas was a man of 44 years when he enlisted for the Great War on 24 January 1917 at Longreach. His occupation was a wheelwright at the time, a trade which he had learned from the father. He stood 5 feet 11 ¼ inches (181cm) tall and weighed 154 pounds (69.9kg). Thomas was described as having a fair complexion with grey eyes and brown hair. The medical examiner stated Thomas had slight varicocele on the left side. Thomas noted his religion as Church of England. He was a widower and he first listed his mother, who was living at Cooran, Queensland at the time, as his next of kin. Later, he changed it to his father, who was living at Barcaldine at the time.

On 31 October 1917, Sapper Thomas W. Faulkner of 13 F.C.E. (Field Company Engineers) boarded the HMAT “Euripides” at Sydney, New South Wales, Australia to serve his King and country. He disembarked Devonport, England on 26 December 1917 and marched in to 3 Camp at Parkhouse the same day. Thomas proceeded overseas to France on 12 April 1918 and marched in to A.G.B.D. (Aust. General Base Depot) the following day. He joined his unit on 18 April and was detached to 14 Coy. A.A.S.C. (Aust. Army Service Corps) in late August 1918. Thomas rejoined his unit on 18 September and was detached to A.G.B.D. on 08 October 1918 for Medical Board. The Board classified him B3 (light work) due to rheumatism a few days later. At the end of October, Thomas was transferred to England, where he marched in to 2 Com. Dep. (Command Depot) at Weymouth. Thomas embarked England aboard the H.T. “Somerset” on 04 December 1918 for his return home. He arrived at Australia on 15 January 1919 and was discharged from the A.I.F. on 01 February 1919.

His younger brother, Smith Finlay Faulkner #5016 also served during WW1.

• France
• Western Front