Name
Thomas Mcgrath
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
18/03/1918
23
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
2419
Australian Army Service Corps
14th Coy.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ST. ALBANS (HATFIELD ROAD) CEMETERY
Mil. C. 4.
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the St Albans memorials (*1)
Biography
Thomas McGrath was born at Warrnambool, Victoria was born in 1894. There is insufficient information to correctly identify Thomas McGrath’s birth or parents.
Thomas McGrath was a 20 year old, single, Barman from Enfield Hotel, Charles Street, Launceston, Tasmania when he enlisted on 12th September, 1914 at Pontville, Tasmania with the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.). His religion was Roman Catholic & his next of kin was listed as his friend – Miss L. Hawke, 60 Bathurst Street, Launceston, Tasmania. (According to information provided by his friend – Linda Boatwright (Miss L. Hawke had married) – Thomas’s calling was listed as Mechanic. She also stated he was born at Adelaide.)
Thomas McGrath was posted to 10th A.S.C. (Army Service Corps) on 12th September, 1914 with the rank of Driver. (A second copy of Statement of Service form recorded the date as 15th September, 1914).
Driver Thomas McGrath, Service number 2419, embarked from Melbourne, Victoria on HMAT Armadale (A26) on 20th October, 1914 with the 1st Australian Reserve Park (10th Company, A.S.C.).
Driver Thomas McGrath was admitted to No. 17 General Hospital at Alexandria on 22nd July, 1915 with Diarrhoea & was discharged to duty on 26th July, 1915. He rejoined his Unit on 27th July, 1915.
Driver Thomas McGrath embarked from Alexandria on 7th August, 1915 on H. T. Cameronian for the Dardanelles. Driver Thomas McGrath was transferred to 29th Company, A.A.S.C. on 3rd March, 1916 while posted at Alexandria.
Driver Thomas McGrath was admitted sick to 15th General Hospital at Alexandria on 24th March, 1916. (The next entry on Casualty Form – Active Service recorded he was sent to Hospital sick on 25th March, 1916 at Moascar). He was transferred from 15th A. General Hospital at Cairo to Hospital Train on 7th April, 1916 & was admitted to Military Infectious Hospital at Shoubra on the same day with Enterica. He was in a period of Isolation from 24th to 29th April (V.D.). Driver McGrath was transferred on 29th April, 1916 & was admitted to No. 3 Auxiliary Hospital at Cairo with Enterica on the same day. He was transferred to Convalescent Home at Ras-el-Tin on 1st May, 1916. Driver McGrath rejoined 29th Company, A.A.S.C. at Tel-el-Kebir on 31st May, 1916.
Base Records advised Miss L. Hawke, 60 Bathurst Street, Launceston, Tasmania, on 8th April, 1916 that No. 2419 Driver T. McGrath, 10th A.S. Corps, had been admitted to 15th General Hospital, Alexandria on 24th March, 1916 – sick, mild.
Driver Thomas McGrath was transferred to 5th Divisional Base Details at Tel-el-Kebir on 3rd June, 1916.
Driver Thomas McGrath proceeded from Alexandria on 7th June, 1916 on Ionian to join B.E.F. (British Expeditionary Force). He disembarked at Marseilles, France (no date recorded).
Driver Thomas McGrath was transferred to Base Horse Depot at Havre, France on 12th August, 1916.
Driver Thomas McGrath joined 14th Company, A.A.S.C. in the Field on 24th September, 1916 from Details. He proceeded to join 4th Divisional Train in France on 28th September, 1916.
Driver Thomas McGrath was appointed Lance Corporal from 19th July, 1917.
Miss A. Walkley, c/o Mrs R. S. Boatwright, Gilbert Street, Latrobe, Tasmania, wrote to Base Records on 28th September, 1917 with the following letter: “I am writing to you to see if you could find me the address of No 2914 Driver Tom McGrath. I have not heard of him since he was wounded. One of the Boys writing home said, he was talking to him, && he said, he had not heard from Tassy for ages & that he had received no parcels since last Xmas. I would be so glad if you could get me some news as I don’t think he has any relations & very few friends. I do not know if you charge if you do you could tell me when writing & I would forward same on by Return Mail. It is for Miss L. H. Hawke I am enquiring for his address But I am enclosing an addressed envelop as you can send it to me & I will take it straight out to her. Hoping to get good news. Thanking you for the trouble.”
Base Records replied to Miss Annie Walkley on 6th October, 1917 advising “.....I have to inform you that no recent report of casualty has been received in respect to Driver Thomas McGrath, consequently it can but be assumed he is with his unit and his postal address is as under:-
No 2419 Driver T. McGrath, 4th Divisional Train, Australian Imperial Force, ABROAD.
No charge is made by the Department for furnishing information regarding members of the Force.”
Lance Corporal Thomas McGrath was detached for duty with 4th Divisional Artillery Headquarters from 14th November, 1917 & rejoined 14th Company from detachment on 26th November, 1917.
Lance Corporal Thomas McGrath reported sick on 30th December, 1917 & was admitted to 57th Field Ambulance with P.U.O. (Pyrexia (fever) of unknown origin). He was transferred & admitted to 1st Australian General Hospital at Rouen on 31st December, 1917 – P.U.O. Lance Corporal McGrath was discharged to Base Details on 12th January, 1918. He embarked for England on Hospital Ship Grantully Castle on 12th January, 1918 with Synovitis.
Lance Corporal Thomas McGrath was admitted to County of Middlesex War Hospital, Napsbury, St. Albans, England on 13th January, 1918. The Hospital Admissions form recorded “Septicaemia. Pyrexia 3 months. First boils, scattered, then abscesses. 6 Operations. Abscesses opened both axillae both buttocks and left hand, Recurrent haemorrhages.”
Base Records advised Miss L. Hawke, 60 Bathurst Street, Launceston, Tasmania, on 8th March, 1918 that Driver Thomas McGrath was seriously ill. A follow-up report on the same day advised that Driver McGrath had been admitted to County of Middlesex War Hospital, St. Albans, England on 13th January, with Pyrexia – seriously ill.
Lance Corporal Thomas McGrath died at 6.40 pm on 18th March, 1918 at County of Middlesex War Hospital, Napsbury, St. Albans, England from Septicaemia.
A death for Thomas McGrath, aged 23, was registered in the June quarter, 1918 in the district of St. Albans, Hertfordshire, England.
Lance Corporal Thomas McGrath was buried at 3.30 pm on 22nd March, 1918 in Hatfield Road Cemetery, St. Albans, Hertfordshire, England – Grave No. C. 4. Section S.C.
From the burial report of Lance Corporal Thomas McGrath - Coffin was good, Elm with brass fittings. The deceased soldier was accorded a Military Funeral and the last Rites were carried out by a Roman Catholic Clergyman. The coffin was draped with the Union Jack and carried on a gun carriage supplied by 309 Coy A.S.C. The Firing Party and Bearers were supplied by Administrative Headquarters, A.I.F. London, also Bugler of A.I.F. sounded the “Last Post” at the graveside. Three fine wreaths were placed on the coffin by Head Sister War F.5 Napsbury War Hospital, Nurse Lansbury, of same Hospital and Mrs Oxley, of St. Albans. The grave will be turfed and cross immediately erected, and the grave will be cared for by Mrs Oxley. Administrative Headquarters, A.I.F. London were represented at the funeral.
Names of Relatives & Friends present at the funeral – Friends: Mrs Oxley & Mrs Barnes, St Albans, Nurse Lansbury of Napsbury War Hospital.
Lance Corporal Thomas McGrath’s burial place is now recorded by CWGC as Plot number Mil. C. 4. He now has a Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone.
The Red Cross Wounded & Missing file for Lance Corporal Thomas McGrath contains a report from Dr Corbett, County of Middlesex War Hospital, Napsbury, St. Albans which reads:
“Lance Corporal T. McGrath, 2419 14th A.A.S.C. was admitted to this hospital on Jan 13th 1918 suffering from continued fever of unknown origin. He had been unwell since the middle of December and had been admitted to a hospital in France on Dec 30th. He had pains in the limbs and scattered boils.
After admission to Napsbury his temperature continued to rise at night. After a few days a large abscess under the left armhole developed. On Feb 1st he had an operation to set free the pus. The wound rapidly cleaned, the temperature came down, but after a few days, a nightly rise again began. At the beginning of March, it became evident that a septicaemic condition was present. Multiple abscesses developed. On Mar 9th he had an operation to open an abscess in the right armhole and antiseptics were injected into the blood. Examination of the discharged showed a staphylococcal infection. On Mar 13th, abscesses were opened on the back and on the left hand, Horse serum and Antistreptococcal serum were injected. There was a sharp attack of Haemorrhage which was stopped by a stitch. On the 16th another large abscess was opened in the chest. Patient was becoming very weak. There was haemorrhage from the right armhole. It was stitched and stopped and the patient was plied with stimulants but was unable to rally and died on March 18th.
During the last fortnight there were intervals of delirium but except during those times McGrath was sensible and natural to the last. He was patient throughout and bore pain courageously. On the day before he died the Roman Catholic priest was sent for and saw him while he was strong enough his bed was carried outside during the day. He liked to be in the sunshine. Even during the weakness of the last few days, he could enjoy a cigarette and could even make jokes about the thing that were being done for him. During the last day or two he evidently knew he was dying and seemed to feel at peace.”
Miss L. H. Hawke, c/o Mrs E. D. Hawke, Sydney Hotel, Elizabeth St, Launceston, Tasmania wrote to Base Records (letter not dated but received at Base Records on 22nd April, 1918) with the following letter: “I received the wires informing me of my Friend, Driver T McGrath’s Death, if any further word should come for me, would you kindly sent it to above address as I have altered my address now, from 60 Bathurst St to the above.”
Nellie Carson, 14 Kent Street, Richmond, Melbourne, wrote to the District Paymaster, Melbourne on 29th April, 1918 with the following: “I, the undersigned being the allottee of Driver Tom McGrath, late 10th A.S.C. would be very grateful if you would furnish me with a little further information regarding the soldier’s death, as the only notice I received stated that the deceased soldier’s pay would cease on the 30/5/18. So trusting you will acknowledge this anxious letter.”
The District Paymaster, 3rd Military District, forwarded Mrs Nellie Carson’s letter on to Base Records on 15th May, 1918.
Base Records replied to Miss N. Carson on 22nd May, 1918: “Your communication of the 29th ultimo addressed to the District Paymaster, Victoria Barracks, Melbourne, has been referred to this Office for attention and I have to advise you that the only information received to date in connection with the regrettable report of death of No 2419 Dvr T. McGrath, 14th (late 29th) Army Service Corps, is to the effect that he died on 18.3.1918 at County of Middlesex War Hospital, from Septicaemia. It is confidently anticipated, however that later official documents will furnish further details and these on receipt will be available to you by making application.”
W. McGrath, Station St, Carrum, wrote to Base Records on 13th May, 1918 with the following letter: “Could you please give me any particulars of Driver T. McGrath No 2419, 29th A.S.C. whose death appeared in the Age of 29th April. I have a brother Tom whom I haven’t heard from for years and I think that this soldier may be him, and would be very grateful for any information you could give me.”
Base Records replied to Mr W. McGrath on 18th May, 1918: “I have to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 13th instant and to state that No. 2419, Driver Thomas McGrath, 14th (late 29th) Army Service Corps, who is reported as having died on 18th March, 1918, at County of Middlesex War Hospital from Septicaemia, enlisted at Pontville, Tasmania, on 15th September, 1914, stating his age at that date to be 19 years and 10 months; occupation Bar¬man. His birth place is recorded as Warrnambool, Victoria.”
The District Paymaster, 6th Military District, Hobart, Tasmania wrote to Base Records, Melbourne on 1st November, 1918 regarding No. 2419 Private T. McGrath, 10th A.S.C. – deceased: “I shall be glad if you will furnish me with particulars regarding the Next-of-Kin of the abovenamed deceased soldier, also date and District of Enlistment.”
Base Records replied to District Paymaster, 6th Military District on 7th November, 1918 advising “...the above-named deceased soldier enlisted in the 6th M.D. (Pontville) on 15.9.14 and nominated as next-of-kin Miss L. H. Hawke (friend) c/o Mrs E. D. Hawke, Sydney Hotel, Elizabeth St, Launceston, Tasmania.”
Miss L. H. Hawke, c/o Mrs E. D. Hawke, Sydney Hotel, Elizabeth St, Launceston, Tasmania, wrote to base Records on 12th November, 1918 with the following letter: “As the Fiancée of the late 2419 Driver Tom McGrath, 4th Divisional Train. Would you kindly inform me, who has the right to receive his Kit and Personal Belongings, As I believe I am his “next-of-kin”. I thought it would be better to write to you as you have been so kind in the past with information concerning his illness & Death & Funeral. Thanking you for your kindness.”
Base Records replied to Miss L. H. Hawke on 19th November, 1918: “..... I have to advise that his kit being a portion of his military equipment would not be returned. The overseas Authorities, however, select from the kits of deceased soldiers any articles of sentimental value and forward them to this Office for the necessary action and any personal belongings of the late soldier coming to hand will be transmitted to you unless testamentary instruction be received directing otherwise.”
The District Paymaster, 6th Military District, Hobart, advised Base Records on 4th December, 1918 “re No 2419 Driver T. McGrath, 4th Div Tn, late 10th A.S.C. (Decd). This is to certify that the Public Trustee, Hobart, Tasmania, has been requested to administer the above Estate.”
Base Records wrote to The Public Trustee, Hobart, Tasmania on 31st March, 1919: “As you are administering the estate of late No. 2419 Lance-Corporal T. McGrath, 14th Army Service Corps, I am forwarding per separate post one package D/S 40901 of the late soldier’s personal effects containing articles as per inventory attached, for necessary action. Kindly acknowledge receipt of same by signing and returning the attached receipt form.”
One package containing the personal effects of the late Lance Corporal T. McGrath were signed for, as receipt of, by on 11th April, 1919.
Base Records wrote to The Public Trustee, Hobart, Tasmania on 25th August, 1920: “It is noted that you administered the estate of the late No. 2419 Lance-Corporal T. McGrath, 14th Company Army Service Corps, and as it is desired to dispose of the 1914/15 Star and other War Medals etc., I shall be much obliged if you can furnish me with any information regarding this deceased soldier’s blood relations. Thanking you in anticipation of the favour of an early reply.”
The Public Trustee replied to Base Records on 31st August, 1920: “In the estate of No. 2419 L/C T. McGrath. Your memo. of 25th inst. to hand. I was unable to ascertain the next-of-kin of deceased, and therefore the credit balance, together with a parcel of personal effects was returned to the District Finance Officer, Barracks, Hobart in April last.”
Base Records wrote to Miss L. H. Hawke, c/o Mrs E. D. Hawke, Sydney Hotel, Elizabeth St, Launceston, Tasmania, on 11th September, 1920 with the following: “With reference to the affairs of the late No. 2419 Lance Corporal T. McGrath, 14th Army Service Corps I shall be glad to learn whether you consider you have any claims to deceased’s war medals, etc. We have been unable to trace any blood relations and if you can satisfy the Department that you had a genuine interest in the soldier’s affairs the Minister may be prepared to hand them over to you as mementos of his supreme sacrifice. Your statement, which for preference, should take the form of a Statutory Declaration, must include provisos to the effect that the mementos will be preserved with due care as memorials of deceased’s services, and will be produced to the Department of Defence upon receipt of its demand at any time, should any one with prior rights prefer a claim. The favor of early attention is requested. I am holding the matter over for 21 days from this date pending receipt of your reply.”
Miss Linda Hawke, c/o Mrs E. D. Hawke, Railway Station, Derwent Park Junction, Tasmania, replied to Base Records on 25th September, 1920: “Being away from Home I have only just received yours of the 11 inst. I am very sorry to have kept you waiting for an answer. I do and always have thought I am entitled to my late Fiance’s (the late Lance Corporal T. McGrath) War Medals Etc. When enlisting I told him it was not right leaving me as “His next-of kin: and he told me he did not have any Living Relations. I assure you if I did receive them they would be sacred to me and I should cherish them with the care due to them And should any claim prior rights I would hand them over to them, and I still have all the Papers concerning His illness, Death, at Etc, should they also be needed. Thanking you for your courtesy in the past when corresponding with you.”
Base Records replied to Miss L. Hawke on 2nd October, 1920 with the following: “I thank you for your letter of the 25th September, and, in order that I may be in a position to act in compliance with the requirements of the Deceased Soldiers’ Estates Act of 1918, shall be much obliged if you will complete the attached Declaration before a J.P. and
return to me at your earliest convenience, when the war medals of the mate 2419 Lance Corporal T. McGrath, 14th Army Service Corps, will be transmitted to you as they become available. Thanking you in anticipation of the favor of an early reply.”
Linda H. Boatwright (nee Hawke) replied to Base Records on 1st October, 1920 with the following: “I am enclosing the Declaration Paper which you kindly sent to me. You will note I am now married, But I am returning to my Brother’s Hime next week, so Please forward correspondence to the same address. I would like you to understand tho I am married, Anything concerning my late Fiance No 2419 L. Corporal Tom McGrath is as sacred to me as it has always been And I will hold & care for His Medals etc as such Should my Bro. have a transfer any time to a different Station I will let you know as my home will always be with them.”
A Statutory Declaration was completed by Linda H. Boatwright (nee Hawke) & dated 16th October, 1920.
Base Records wrote the following at the bottom of the Statutory Declaration on 26th October, 1920: “Having since married I do not consider she has any claims to these medals – war medals &c to Untraceables – She was not recognised by the Trustee.” Signed J M Lean, Major, Officer i/c Base Records.
Base Records replied to Mrs L. H. Boatwright on 27th October, 1920: “I thank you for your letter of the 1st October, concerning the disposal of the War Medals of the late No. 2419 Lance-Corporal T. McGrath, 14th Army Service Corps, and regret that in view of the fact of your marriage I am unable to recommend that the War Medals of the above late soldier be handed over to you. They will be placed amongst the untraceables and advertised throughout the Commonwealth from time to time with a view to some of his blood relations being traced.”
[Note: A separate file containing 47 pages being the War Gratuity file for the late Lance Corporal Thomas McGrath contains the following interesting points:
- Next of kin listed as “friend” - Miss L. H. Hawke (who later described their relationship as “Fiancée”.)
- Miss Linda H. Hawke, c/o Mrs E. D. Hawke, Sydney Hotel, Elizabeth St, Launceston, Tasmania, replied to 6th Military District, Hobart on 21st November, 1918 with the following: “In answer to yours of the 14th inst Re No 2419 Driver T McGrath late of A.S.C. I neither hold or know of a Will made by him. But as he told me before he sailed he would leave me as his next of kin & when I told him, he should leave it to his Relations he said he had none to care for him. A Mr W. McGrath of Station St Carrum Victoria has written to me But as his age & Place of Enlistment did not tally with my late Friend’s I believe that a “Pte T McGrath” who returned to Hobart early last year (to Pontville I believe) minus an arm Proved to be his Brother. I am very sorry I cannot give you any further information, as to His Relations I have always been under the impression that he had none. As I had received all the Advice concerning his late Illness & Death, I thought it was my place to Inquire about his personal belongings. Thanking you for your information in the Past.”
- A Letter from L’Estrange & Kennedy, Solicitors, Richmond, Victoria to The Secretary, Defence Department, dated 12th December, 1918 regarding Driver T. McGrath No. 2419 deceased, reads: “Kindly hand over the will of the abovenamed deceased to the bearer, and this shall be your authority for so doing, Also all necessary particulars, or alternatively forward same to Messrs L’Estrange & Kennedy. Yours truly Nellie McGowan nee Carson Sole Beneficiary and Executrix under the said Will.” (the above letter was sent on Messrs L’Estrange & Kennedy, Solicitors letterhead).
- ·Allottee – Mrs Nellie Carson, 6 Appleby St, Richmond, Victoria. In a letter dated 23rd March, 1920 from Public Trustee to the District Paymaster, 6th Military District, Hobart, Tasmania he states “I have to advise you that I cannot ascertain whether the deceased had any relatives. The allottee Mrs Nellie McGown, nee Carson, of 29 Hodgson Terrace, Richmond, Victoria, stated that the deceased was engaged to be married to her. The deceased’s friend Miss L. H. Hawke, Sydney Hotel, Elizabeth Street, Launceston, who is named as the next-of-kin, states that she does not know of any relatives of the deceased.....”
- W. McGrath, Underbool, wrote to District Finance Office, 3rd Military District, Melbourne, Victoria, on 16th March 1921 requesting: “Sir will you please let me know who is entitled to the Gratuity of my brother the late L/Cpl T. McGrath, No. 2419, 14th late 29th A.S.C. What I would like to know is his family or the person who drew his pay entitled to it.” This letter was forwarded to the District Finance Officer, 6th Military District, Hobart, Tasmania.
- The District Finance Officer, 6th Military District, Hobart, Tasmania, replied to Mr W. McGrath, Underbool, Victoria on 30th March, 1921 with the following: “....I have to advise you that the information furnished is insufficient for me to decide to whom payment would be made. The Gratuity is payable to parent, wife, child, or dependant of deceased soldiers, and persons to whom any of these relationships apply should submit their claim to me. Application Forms for this purpose may be obtained at any Post Office. In connection with this matter, the Deferred Pay of your late brother is held here. I shall be glad to know whether his parents are alive, and if not, what other members of the family are alive, and their addresses. If you will furnish me with this information as early as possible, I will go into the matter of distributing his Estate.”
- W. McGrath, Underbool, replied to District Finance Officer on 4th April, 1921 advising: “....his parents are both dead. The other members of the family living and their addresses are
Mrs W. Murphy, Tara via Dalby, Queensland
Violet McGrath, address unknown
Sister Mary Sloipuis, Convent of Mercy, Coolgardie,
W.A. William McGrath, Underbool, Victoria
Re his War Gratuity. Will you please let me know of we are entitled to that.
- The District Finance Officer, 6th Military District, Hobart, Tasmania, replied to Mr W. McGrath, Underbool, Victoria on 8th April, 1921 advising: “... I have to advise you that War Gratuity is payable only to parent, wife, child, or dependent of deceased soldier. In order, for either your brother, sisters or yourself to be entitled to payment it would be necessary to establish claim of dependency upon the late soldier. It would be advisable for any person who was dependent or partially dependent upon the deceased to submit an application to this Office for consideration.”
- W. McGrath, Underbool, replied to District Finance Officer on 18th April, 1921 advising: “....There is no one dependent on him. His parents died when he was a boy about 11 years of age and my sister and I contributed to his support until he was able to keep himself and I consider that we should be entitled to his war gratuity. In your memo you refer to my brother evidently thinking I have another brother alive. This is not so. There are only 4 of us, the three sisters whose names I sent you and myself.”
- The District Finance Officer, 6th Military District, Hobart, Tasmania, replied to Mr W. McGrath on 23rd April, 1921: “I am in receipt of your letter dated 18th April, 1921, in further reference to War Gratuity in respect of the abovenamed late soldier, and in reply I have to refer you to my letters of 31st March, 1921 and 8th April, 921, wherein I stated before I could give a decision as to whether Gratuity was payable, it would be necessary for you to submit a claim.”
[End of War Gratuity file information for the late Lance Corporal Thomas McGrath]
Lance Corporal Thomas McGrath was entitled to 1914/15 Star, British War Medal & the Victory Medal. A Memorial Scroll & Memorial Plaque were also to be sent to a soldier’s next of kin but in Lance Corporal McGrath’s case they were sent to “Untraceables” (Scroll & Plaque sent to “Untraceables” in October, 1922).
[**It can be assumed that Base Records & the 6th Military District, Hobart, Tasmania did not correspond regarding the blood relatives for the late Lance Corporal Thomas McGrath. His brother – W. McGrath should have received his War Medals etc as their parents were deceased.]
Acknowledgments
Gareth Hughes, Jonty Wild, Cathy Sedgwick, Beth Page - https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/
