Military History

Letch enlisted as a Private until his placement with the 10th Light Horse 13.3.1917, then became Trooper. He attended NCO School 21.4.1917 and in 15.6.1917 and was placed with the 31st Reinforcements 10th Light Horse 24.9.1917. Letch was promoted to Corporal 9.10.1917 and to the 15th Camel Corps Reinforcements 24.10.1917.
Embarked Fremantle per ‘Commonwealth’ A73 for Egypt 9.11.1917.
Roll Rank A./Lance Corporal. 9.11.1917.
Roll Unit 15th Reinforcements Camel Corps.
Letch disembarked at Suez 10.12.1917. He was taken on strength at Abbassia 11.12.1917. Letch was transferred to 15th Light Horse Brigade, Camel Corps with the reorganization of Mounted Brigades (MB) 21.2.1918. He was taken on strength at . Letch was taken on strength at El Kubri (Suez Canal) 24.2.1918 with 3^rd ANZAC Battalion 1^st Camel Corps. He was transferred to the 15th Light Horse Regiment with reorganization of Mounted Brigades 1.7.1918. They were posted to the east bank of the Suez were the land was more suited to horses than camels. Letch was hospitalised after having been kicked by a horse in performance of his duty 22.9.1918. He received bruising to his left buttock. Letch was sent to Rest Camp 26.9.1918- 2.10.1918. He was discharged to the 15th Light Horse at Moascar 21.11.1918. He was hospitalised 23.11.191 .and received a further promotion to T /Corporal 14.6.1919.
Embarked Suez per HT ‘Dolonga’ for Australia 24.7.1919.
Returned/Disembarked Fremantle 17.8.1919.
Discharged 9.9.1919.
Final Rank Trooper with 15th Light Horse.
Medical Condition NK.
Awards and Medals British Star, Victory Medal.
Notes Letch married Catriona de Castilla 4.9.1934 at Claremont WA. He died 21.9.1962, having worked as a farmer at Clackline WA.
Photos  HMAT 'Commonwealth' A73, ready to depart Melbourne Wharf 1917. Photographer Josih Barnes, photograph source AWM PB0364
             1st Australian Camel Corps at Suez c 1917. Photograph donor Cptn. J.D. Cramb, photograph source AWM J05843
             15th Light Horse Battalion embarking Kantara 1919.  Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM J06027
Information Source
AWM PB0364. HMAT 'Commonwealth' A73, ready to depart Melbourne Wharf 1917. Photographer Josiah Barnes, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM J05843. 1st Australian Camel Corps at Suez c 1917. Photograph donor Cptn. J.D. Cramb, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM J06027. 15th Light Horse Battalion embarking Kantara 1919.  Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Roll Thomas Alfred Edward Letch
Guildford Grammar School Honour Roll
NAA: B2455, Letch Thomas Alfred Edward


Clackline. WA.

Associated Images