QUINNEY Thomas

Appears in the Worcester/Worcestershire Roll of Honour Book for army casualties located in Worcester Cathedral as Thomas Quinney. Cpl. The Australian Provost Corps.

Thomas Quinney enlisted as a Driver in the Australian Army Service Corps, Australian Imperial Force on 11th September 1914 at Bendigo, Victoria, Australia. On his attestation form he gave his place of birth as Hedleys Cross, Redditch, Worcestershire, England, his age as 25 years 2 months, his occupation as a farm labourer and his next of kin as his father, Ernest Quinney, Hedleys Cross, Worcestershire, England. After the death of his father, this was amended to his eldest brother, Mr H.E. Quinney, 182 Evesham Road, Headless Cross, Redditch, Worcestershire. Thomas had previously served 4 years with the Royal Field Artillery. He was 5 feet 10 inches tall with a fair complexion, blue eyes and reddish brown hair.

On 21st October 1914 Thomas sailed from Australia for an unknown destination. He joined the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force on 5th April 1915 and was promoted to Temporary Corporal on 3rd August 1915. After transferring from ANZAC to Mudros (Resting) on 26th September, he was promoted to Corporal on 17th October 1915. Thomas sailed from Mudros bound for Alexandria on the H.T. Crossfield on 31st October and he rejoined his unit there on 3rd November. Just over 3 weeks later he was admitted to the 15th General Hospital on 25th November 1915 suffering from dysentery. After 2 weeks of treatment he sailed from Alexandria on H.S. Gascon bound for England where he was admitted to the 3rd London General Hospital. He remained in hospital until 14th February 1916 returning to Alexandria on the H.T. Huntspill on 5th April 1916 after transferring to the Anzac Provost Corps on 3rd April. He sailed from Alexandria on 3rd August 1915, once again bound for England where he remained until 23rd January 1918 when he left Southampton bound for France. Whilst in the UK he was AWOL from 4.41pm 10th December 1917 until 9am 11th December 1917 for which he was reprimanded by Lt. Colonel J. Williams and forfeited 2 days pay. Thomas was killed in action on 18th September 1918.