BOURKE, Thomas John
| Service Number: | 20902 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 3 September 1915, Toowoomba, Queensland |
| Last Rank: | Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 12th Field Artillery Brigade |
| Born: | Gladfield, Queensland, 20 June 1887 |
| Home Town: | Gladfield, Southern Downs, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Gladfield State School |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Died: | Natural causes, Brisbane, Queensland, 10 January 1959, aged 71 years |
| Cemetery: |
Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane, Qld RC9, Anzac section 4, grave 29 |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 3 Sep 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 20902, Toowoomba, Queensland | |
|---|---|---|
| 11 May 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Corporal, 20902, 9th Field Artillery Brigade , Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '4' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Argyllshire embarkation_ship_number: A8 public_note: '' | |
| 11 May 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Corporal, 20902, 9th Field Artillery Brigade , HMAT Argyllshire, Sydney | |
| 24 Feb 1920: | Discharged AIF WW1, Corporal, 20902, 12th Field Artillery Brigade |
The Bourkes
Thomas John (Tom). Tom worked on construction of the Merivale railway line, he then bought his own farm at Freestone near Warwick. He later joined the "AIF" on 3 September 1915. Jimmy O'Dempsey work the farm whilst Tom was overseas. Tom and marked from Sydney abroad the troopship "ARGYLLSHIRE" on 11 May 1916, to join the 34th battalion, 9th Royal Australian artillery regiment.he became a Corporal and forward in France during the 19 14-19 18 wall. After the war finished, he went to England, where he married Edith Sarah Elizabeth Woodman at St Mary's church, Saint Augustine bank on 28 June 1919. Edith was aged 28, Tom and Edith embarked on the "Ormonde"on 15 November 1919 for Australia and disembarked on 2 February 1920. Tom was discharged from the army 24 February 1920 he returned to his farm. Edith died during childbirth on 3 December 1920 she was buried in section C3 grave 1212 Warwick cemetery. The baby lived, baptised Veronica Edith Bourke. Our mother Teresa O'Dempsey Tom sister cared for Vera until she was four years of age.because of us moving to Brisbane, there was placed in the care of another sister Mary Collins where Vera was reared and given a good education. She became nursing sister and later married. Tom died on 10 January 1959 at the age of 72.he is buried in portion RC9, Anzac section 4, grave 29 Lutwyche Cemetery.
Submitted 6 October 2017 by Peter Brown
Biography contributed by Peter Brown
Thomas John (Tom), worked on construction of the Merivale railway line, he then bought his own farm at Freestone near Warwick. He later joined the "AIF" on 3 September 1915. Jimmy O'Dempsey worked the farm whilst Tom was overseas.
Tom embarked from Sydney abroad the troopship "ARGYLLSHIRE" on 11 May 1916, to join the 34th battalion, 9th Royal Australian artillery regiment.
He was promoted to Corporal and saw service in France. After the war he went to England, where he married 28 y.o. Edith Sarah Elizabeth Woodman at St Mary's church, on 28 June 1919.
Tom and Edith returned to Australia aboard the Ormonde on 02 February 1920. Tom was discharged on 24 February 1920 and he returned to his farm.
Edith died during childbirth on 3 December 1920 and was buried in section C3 grave 1212 of the Warwick cemetery. The child survuved and was baptised Veronica Edith Bourke.
Our mother Teresa O'Dempsey (Tom's sister) cared for Vera until she was four years of age. Then, because of us moving to Brisbane, she was placed in the care of another sister, Mary Collins, who raised Vera and ensured she received a good education.
Vera became a nursing sister and later married.
Tom died on 10 January 1959 at the age of 72.
Tom is buried in portion RC9, Anzac section 4, grave 29 of the Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane.
Click images to start slideshow.