Military History

Sapper (21.3.1916.)

Embarked Fremantle per HMAT A 69 ‘Warilda’ for UK 1.6.1916.
Roll Rank Sapper.
Roll Unit 6th Tunnelling Coy. AIF
Hemmant disembarked at Plymouth with his Tunnelling Coy. He marched in to  the 3rd Training Coy. at Perham Downs. He  was promoted to Cpl. 2.5.1916 and later  Sgt. 24.5.1916. (West Australian Newspaper 24.11.1916). Hemmant proceeded overseas to France 28.8.1916 and taken on Strength with 6th Tunnelling Coy. 30.9.1916. The 4th, 5th and 6th Tunnelling Companies were disbanded and absorbed into the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Companies in France. Hemmant was allocated to the 3rd Tunnelling Coy 6.10.1916. The 3rd Tunnelling Company moved into the  Laventie/Fauquissart sector in northern France in May 1916 and stayed in this region for 6 months
Hemmant was wounded in action with a SW right and left thigh, right buttock and left wrist in the Favantie Region 7.10.1916. He was admitted to hospital in France and then sent to the Convalescent Depot in Boulogne 31.10.1916. Hemmant rejoined his unit  10.11.1916.  He became sick in the Field and was admitted to the 38th Casualty Clearing Station with mumps 8.2.1917. He rejoined his unit 27.2.1917. He was due 2 Blue Chevrons 1.6.1917. Hemmant fought with his Company at the  4th Battle of Flanders, in response to the German Spring Offensive of April 1918.  He was demobilised in the Field 27.1.1919 and listed for return to Australia.
Embarked from London per ‘Devonha’ to Australia 8.5.1919.
Returned/Disembarked Fremantle 10.6.1919.
Discharged 6.8.1919.
Final Rank Sgt. 3rd Tunnelling Coy.
Medical Condition NK.
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Notes  Hemmant returned home to Wa however became estranged from his wife and family, as did many men who served. He died in Mundaring HMAT 'Warilda', was sunk on 3.8.1918 having survived 2 other disasters.123 men perished including all men in the engine room and 'I' Ward.
Photos  Thomas Hemmant (1897). Photograph source Kalgoorlie Western Argus 3.6.1897 p13 
              No.3 Section, Australian Tunnelling Company, near Hythe Tunnel at Hill 70 31.1.1918. Photographer unknown, image courtesy AWME01712
              Australian Soldiers en route to the Front line at Flanders, October 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E01187
              HMAT 'Warilda' after 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM A02847
Information Source
AWM E01712. No.3 Section, Australian Tunnelling Company, near Hythe Tunnel at Hill 70 31.1.1918. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced form the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E01187. Australian Soldiers en route to the Front line at Flanders, October 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM A02847. HMAT 'Warilda' after 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Rolls, Thomas Hemmant
Daily News
NAA: B2455, Hemmant T
KWA. Thomas Hemmant (1897). Photograph source Kalgoorlie Western Argus 3.6.1897 p13
West Australian Newspaper
Wise H. and Coy. Western Australian Post Office Directories. SLWA


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