13th BATTALION - 34th BATTALION AIF
Lance Corporal: 7471 Thomas Patrick FREESTONE.
Born: 5th September 1890. Yango Creek, Wollombi, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:37794/1890.
Married: 1926. Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:17798/1926.
Wife: Edith Maude Freestone. nee: Payten. (1902-23 Jul 1981) New South Wales Death Cert:105266/1981.
Died: 6th November 1963. Cessnock, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:31198/1963.
Father: John Freestone. (1853-1935) died at Manilla, N.S.W. Death Cert:10176/1936.
Mother: Jane Freestone. nee: Polson. (1857-1924) died at Manilla, N.S.W. Death Cert:15079/1924.
INFORMATION
Thomas Patrick Freestone enlisted with the AIF at Tamworth, N.S.W on the 13th February and was en trained to Sydney to the Show Ground Camp on the 26th of February before being transferred to the Liverpool Camp where he was allocated to the 25th Reinforcements, 13th Battalion AIF on the 28th February 1917.
Thomas embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A74 "Marathon" on the 10th May 1917 and disembarked at Devonport, England with the Reinforcements on the 20th July 1917 where they were marched in the 4th Training Battalion at Codford.
Thomas proceeded overseas for France on the 28th November from Codford to reinforce the 34th Battalion. He disembarked the next day and was admitted to the 3rd Canadian General Hospital suffering from Laryngitis. Thomas remained in Hospital until the 12th of December when he was discharged and transferred to the Red Cross Camp.
After a few weeks he was marched out to the lines and was Taken on in Strength with the 34th Battalion on the 25th December 1917.
Christmas Day was celebrated in good style and was made realistic by a snow fall. Food was ample and all Ranks enjoyed a traditional meal, accompanied by a plentiful supply of Beer. Fuel was in good supply and fires were kept going during the long evening. Whilst here Captain: James FLORANCE took over as Quartermaster from Lieutenant: 6 Frank William BAULCH who became Quartermaster of Brigade School. On 1st January 1918, New Years Day, the battalion was relieved by the 171st Brigade and proceeded to de Seule hutmen Camp. Owing to a hard frost the marching was difficult. on the following day the march was continued via Bailleul to Meteron Billeting Area, where the Billets were very scattered. While here the frost broke, making the road very muddy and unpleasant for marching and transport. General Training was carried out, interspersed with Sports and Football Matches. During this period, Captain: Robert Joseph STEWART left the Battalion to take up special duty in England. Captain: Telford Graham GILDER. took over command of "A" Company and Lieutenant: 19583 Donald GRANTER became Transport Officer.
(34th Battalion War Diary)
Thomas was promoted to Lance Corporal on the 1st August 1918 before the 34th moved to La Neuville. As the 34th were preparing their operation for the 8th of August, Thomas was treated by the 11th Australian Field Ambulance and evacuated to the 6th General Hospital at Rouen.
THE "GREAT PUSH" OF AUGUST
The 34th Battalion moved on 2nd August to La Neuville, where Lieutenant Colonel. Ernest Edward MARTIN., Major: Francis George GRANT., and Lieutenant: Arthur Francis COOLAHAN. Adjutant, attended a Brigade Conference. Later the Company Commanders attended a conference on the coming Operation. The next few days were spent in reconnaissance, preparation of Maps and Conferences to the Attack on 8th August. On 6th full details of the operation were received, indicating the Battalion's role as follows:- "C" and "A" Companies to be in support of the 33rd Battalion. "D" and "B" in support to the 35th Battalion. In the event of serious opposition occurring from Accroche Wood, "C" and "D" Companies to move around the North and South fringe of the Wood and then mop up from the Eastern side. On arrival at 1st Objective (Green Line) the Battalion to reorganize a Support Line.
(34th Battalion War Diary)
Thomas was suffering from Influenza and invalided to England on the 9th of August where he was admitted to Hospital. Thomas recovered from his illness and was granted a furlo in December whilst in England before he was marched in to the No:1 Command Depot and embarked from England on board the "City of York" on the 14th January 1919. Thomas returned to Australia and was discharged from the AIF on the 28th February 1919.
Family Information
Thomas was a 26 year old Labourer from Yarrambulli Creek via Manilla, N.S.W upon enlistment with the AIF. His parents were married on 24th October 1887 at Wollombi, N.S.W. Marriage Cert:7452/1887.
After the war he returned to Manilla where he lived with his father John and wife Edith at Arthur Street. In 1963 he lived at Northbrook Lane Manilla when he died. Thomas's War Medal:72885 and Victory Medal:69825 to L.CPL 7471 T. P. FREESTONE. 34 BN AIF were court mounted in July 2018 by Ross Sargant.
Thomas is buried at the Manilla General Cemetery.
Thomas Patrick Freestone (1890-1963)
Edith Maude Freestone (1902-1981)
John Freestone (1853-1935)
Jane Freestone (1857-1924)
Leo L Freestone (19..-1974)
Myrtle Lily Pearl "Peachers" Freestone (1908-1997)
Reginald George Freestone (19..-1934) - Doug Freestone (19..-1936)
Freestone family members are buried at the Manilla Cemetery.
Authors Notes:
Aboriginal Heritage still under investigation awaiting family confirmation.
July 2018.
Contacted Len Crompton, family friend re heritage of Freestone and confirmed that there Aboriginal family links but NOT with Thomas Freestone.
David Harrower JP
August 2018.
Military Records
© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)
Under Construction: 06/07/2018.
\
