FAMILY LIFE

Thomas Dunne was born in 1889 in Tweed River district, son of Michael & Annie Esther (Doyle) Dunne. Thomas was one of 7 children. Michael, who was accidentally shot dead in 1902, was a dairy farmer and a long-time resident of the Tweed. He and his wife are buried in Murwillumbah cemetery. Both are listed on the Banner St Memorial, Murwillumbah which lists the 2348 pioneer settlers of the Tweed district

APPLICATION

Thomas was single farmer, living in Wardrop St, South Murwillumbah, eager to do his bit. He travelled to Brisbane on 6^th November, 1916 to complete his application which showed his next of kin as his mother, Annie, of South Murwillumbah. His medical showed he was 27 years 9 months old, 5ft 11 inches tall (1.8m), weighed 150 lbs (68kgs), with a fair complexion, blue eyes & brown hair. His eyesight was good and he was dentally fit. Thomas was Roman Catholic.  The Examining Medical Officer stated that Thomas “can see the required distance with either eye; his heart and lungs are healthy; he has the free use of his joints; and he declares he is not subject to fits of any description. I consider him fit for active service.”  On the second page of the Attestation Paper, he made the following oath in the presence of the Attesting Officer: “I, Thomas Dunne, swear that I will well and truly serve our Sovereign Lord the King in the Australian Imperial Force until the end of the War … SO HELP ME, GOD.”  He was enlisted as a private into the 31^ST Infantry Battalion – 12^th Reinforcements with service No 4508

31^st INFANTRY BATTALION

The 31st was raised in August 1915 as part of the 8th Brigade & it joined the 5th Australian Division in Egypt before heading to the Western Front in France in 1916. The 31st Infantry Battalion's legacy is marked by its resilience, bravery, and dedication to its missions. Its history is preserved through memorials and historical records, ensuring its contributions are remembered and honoured

VOYAGE OVERSEAS

He received 6 days home leave on 22^nd November to look after interests of my widowed mother and to settle his own business affairs then embarked the Demosthenes on 23^rd March, 1916 with the other recruits. The epic voyage across the ocean has been described as “the longest journey to war in the history of the world.” They thought it was the start of a new adventure- for many it was their first time so far away from home. However, after some time at sea the biggest problem turned out to be boredom. On-board, Officers organised rigorous training drills and exercise sessions for the men. They were expected to do their own washing, sweep the decks and carry out other chores

Attempts at breaking up the boredom, apart from the regular drill, varied. Shipboard activities included regular church parades and concerts. Troops engaged in lifebelt drill; a cookhouse on deck; soldiers on fatigues peeling potatoes 'spud bashing'; going to the dentist; barber, pay day; soldiers cleaning personal equipment; medical inspection. Sports and recreation included boxing, deck quoits, draughts. Also, the commanding officer's morning inspection; kit inspections; submarine drill; recreation such as the on deck 'open air' library, deck billiards, pillow fighting and card games including Nap. As well, conditions on the ships were cramped and the risk of illness was constant. 

Three hearty meals a day were served; breakfast usually consisted of porridge, stew, and tea. Lunch included soup, meat, vegetables, and pudding. Meat, bread with jam and tea was served for dinner. Many of the troops experienced bouts of seasickness on the voyage. The crossing the Equator ceremony, ‘Neptune’s Journey,’ was played-out on each troopship.

HOSPITALISATION MEASLES DECEMBER 1916

Whilst on board Thomas was admitted to the ship’s hospital on 30^th December, with measles, and discharged on 5^th January, He was admitted again with influenza on 11^th February and discharged on 17^th.In those days, influenza was dangerous especially as he was in an area with a lot of people who would continue to spread the infection. Measles was just as bad - there were no antibiotics in WWI so doctors focused on managing symptoms and preventing complications

HURDCOTT TRAINING CAMP

They disembarked at Plymouth on 3^rd March 1917. The recruits were marched into the 8^th Battalion training camp at Hurdcott. Over many months the volunteers left their old lives farther behind. They began their training with physical fitness exercises, they were taught individual and unit discipline, how to follow commands, how to march, some basic field skills and how to safely handle his weapons.  Later, as soldiers specialised in a particular area (for example, machine gunner or signaller) they would be trained in specific skills and would take part in practice manoeuvres and sham fights. They would spend many hours learning training in the use of bayonets, anti- gas training and guard duty along with lectures on camouflage or trench warfare and much more.

MACHINE GUN DIVISION

On 20^th July 1917 Thomas was transferred to the machine gun division. Here he learned to use the gun used in WWI - the Vickers machine gun or Vickers gun, a water-cooled .303 British (7.7 mm) machine gun produced by Vickers Limited. The gun was operated by a three-man crew but typically required more men to move and operate it: one fired, one fed the ammunition, the others helped to carry the weapon, its ammunition, and spare parts.

TRENCH WARFARE

On 11^th October he proceeded overseas to France. The 31^st were defending the Western Front but were not in any large battles in the last part of 1917 but the soldiers now found themselves fighting the German in trench warfare. On the Western Front in 1914–1918, both sides constructed elaborate trench, underground, and dugout systems opposing each other along a front, protected from assault by barbed wire. The area between opposing trench lines (known as "no man's land") was fully exposed to artillery fire from both sides. Attacks, even if successful, often sustained severe casualties. Trench warfare created a living environment for the men which was harsh, stagnant, and extremely dangerous. Not only were trenches constantly under threat of attack from shells or other weapons, but there were also many health risks that developed into large-scale problems for medical personnel. Apart from the inescapable cold during the winters in France & Belgium, trenches were often completely waterlogged and muddy, and crawling with lice and rats

The time soldiers spent in the trenches varied depending on factors like their army's rotation system and the intensity of the conflict in their sector. On average:

·      Front-line trenches: Soldiers typically remained here for about 4–6 days at a time. This was where the fighting was most intense and the conditions were the harshest.

·      Support and reserve trenches: After time on the front line, soldiers were rotated to these positions for around 6–12 days. These trenches were set further back and offered slightly better conditions.

·      Rest periods: Soldiers were then moved away from the trench system entirely for rest, training, and recovery, often lasting several weeks, depending on operational needs.

The rotation system helped prevent complete physical and mental exhaustion, but the constant dangers of trench life meant there was rarely any true respite.

31^ST BATTALION- 1918

Unlike some AIF battalions, the 31st had a relatively quiet time during the German Spring Offensive of 1918 as the 5th Division was largely kept in reserve. Between battles, battalions engaged in a variety of critical activities to recover, prepare, and maintain their effectiveness. Some of the key activities included rest & recovery, continuing their training, maintaining their weapons & uniforms, building & reinforcing the trenches & dugouts & barbed wire defences

They also conducted patrols and reconnaissance to gather intelligence on enemy movements and maintain control over no-man's-land & engaged in activities like writing letters, playing games, and sharing stories to bond as a unit and maintain their spirits. This downtime between battles was essential for ensuring that battalions could perform effectively when called back into action.

THE BATTLE OF AMIENS 8^TH AUGUST 1918

The Allies launched their own offensive with the battle of Amiens on 8 August, in which the 31st Battalion participated.  The opening attack of what would be come to be called the Hundred Days Offensive, the Battle of Amiens sees one of the most successful advances of World War I, with Allied troops securing more than eight miles in the conflict’s first fog-covered day, later called "the black day of the German Army" by General Erich Ludendorff. Catching the Germans by surprise, the Allies attack with the help of 2,000 guns, 1,900 planes and 500 tanks, causing large-scale German casualties and a fatal blow to morale.

THE BATTLE OF ST QUENTIN CANAL SEPTEMBER 1918

It was subsequently involved in the operations that continued to press the retreating Germans through August and into September.

The 31st fought its last major action of the war in September 1918 when the 5th and 3rd Australian Divisions, and two American divisions attacked the Hindenburg Line across the top of the 6-kilometre-long St Quentin Canal tunnel; the canal was a major obstacle in the German defensive scheme.

The Battle of St Quentin Canal was a pivotal engagement during World War I, forming part of the Hundred Days Offensive. It was fought along the Hindenburg Line, a heavily fortified German defensive position, with the goal of breaking through one of its strongest sections.

The battle involved British, Australian, and American forces. The Germans had incorporated the St Quentin Canal into their defences, making it a formidable obstacle. Despite fierce resistance, the Allies successfully breached the Hindenburg Line, marking a significant turning point in the war. The battle resulted in heavy casualties, with thousands of soldiers lost on both sides. The victory convinced the German high command that their chances of winning the war were diminishing, contributing to the eventual Armistice

WAR ENDED

On 12^th October 1918 he was given leave to England and rejoined his unit on 18^th November. On 11^th November the fighting was officially over so he prepared to return to Australia. After the Armistice, the Australian Prime Minister Billy Hughes insisted Australian troops be repatriated (returned home) as quickly as possible. This logistical challenge was enormous with 135,000 troops brought home from Britain in 147 voyages, and 16,773 troops from the Middle East in 56 voyages, mostly on a first come, first go basis. There was a lack of suitable ships to transport personnel home and many had to wait several months before they were headed back to Australia.

GOING HOME

On 20^th June 1919 he returned to Australia on the Orita, disembarking on 9^th August

FOR HIS SERVICE

For his service, Thomas was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal

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