Thomas Joyce

The 18th Battalion were part of the 5th Australian Brigade, 2nd Australian Division. Thomas went to Australia aged 29. His wife did not know of his address for the Australian Memorial. The address given by them is Australian Hotel, Cootamundra, New South Wales. Thomas embarked from Sydney with the 10th Reinforcements onboard HMAT A15 Star of England on the 08/03/1916. In September 1916 he passed through England en route to France and arrived at the front near Etaples on the 23/09/1916. He joined his Battalion "in the field" that day and was Killed in Action just 46 days later, 2 days before his 31st birthday. After further training in Egypt, the 18th Battalion proceeded to France. Landing there on the 25th March 1916, it took part in its first major battle at Pozieres between the 25th July and 5th August. The Battalion returned to the Pozieres trenches for a second time in late August. After a spell in a quieter sector of the front in Belgium, the 2nd Division including the 5th Brigade, came south again in October. The 18th Battalion was spared from having to mount an attack across the quagmire that the Somme battlefield had become, but did have to continue manning the front through a very bleak winter. SEE PHOTOS x 17 FOR THE 18th BATTALION WAR DIARY 23/09/1916 - 12th NOVEMBER 1916. The War Diary states - "8th November 1916, FRONT LINE : Mud + Mud. Rain continues. Men cannot stand still for long in one place without sinking up to their knees. Rations arrived but it was only with great difficulty they could be carried up. Enemy shelling still more severe both on front trenches and on Trunk Lane to Sunken Road. Our men silenced one sniper. Lt. O'Donnell wounded. One Lewis gun blown out by shell fire and two Gunners Killed, one Wounded". Thomas is also remembered on the St. Patrick's Church Roll of Honour along with his brothers Patrick and William. See photos for Thomas' CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report x 2, his Reburial form, Warlencourt British Cemetery, Thomas' Service Records x 24, his forms required for the Roll of Honour of Australia in the Memorial War Museum x 2 and the Australian Imperial Forces Cap Badge. Thomas' grave inscription reads "TO MEMORY EVER DEAR ON WHOSE SOUL SWEET JESUS HAVE MERCY R.I.P".