Private William Allan THORN (1888-1918).
Service # 63237; Wellington Infantry Regiment, 1st Battalion (B Company); 31st Reinforcements, New Zealand Expeditionary Forces (NZEF).
Born 4 December 1888 at Hope, Nelson District, South Island, New Zealand.
Son of Joseph & Eliza Thorn of Nelson, South Island, New Zealand.
Husband of Mrs F. Thorn of Awa, Dovedale, Nelson District, South Island, New Zealand.
Prior to enlistment for war service William Thorn was a farmer at Awa, Dovedale, Nelson District, South Island, New Zealand.
William Thorn enlisted for war service - on 24 July 1917 - at Nelson, South Island, New Zealand.
At enlistment William Thorn was 28 years of age.
On enlistment day William Thorn was posted as a Private to the Wellington Infantry Regiment (B Company); 31st Reinforcements, NZEF.
On 6 November 1917 Private Thorn embarked for overseas war service - with the 31st Reinforcements NZEF - from Port of Wellington, North Island, New Zealand.
On 7 January 1918 Private Thorn disembarked, from his transport ship, at Devonport, United Kingdom.
Two days later, on 9 January 1918, Private Thorn was marched into Sling Camp (UK).
On 20 March 1916 Private Thorn left England for - active war service - in France.
Private Thorn arrived at the New Zealand Base Training Camp at Etaples, France on 24 March 1918.
On 12 May 1918 Private Thorn joined his Battalion - the Wellington Infantry Regiment - in the field, France.
Private Thorn left his Battalion, on 25 August 1918. to attend Lewis Gun training school. On 6 September 1918 he re-joined his unit - the Wellington Infantry Regiment - in the field, at France.
On 13 September 1918 Private William Thorn was wounded in action - in the field, France. The next day - 14 August 1918 - he was admitted to the New Zealand No 1 Field Ambulance, in the field, France.
On 14 September 1918 Private William Allan Thorn died of wounds - received in action in the field, france - at the No 1 New Zealand Field Ambulance, France.
At his death Private Thorn was 30 years of age.
Private William A. Thorn is buried at the Barastre Communal Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France (Ref: Grave 8).
Private William A. Thorn is also remembered at his hometown in New Zealand - at the Dovedale District War Memorial (1914-1918) - at Dovedale, Nelson District, South Island, New Zealand.
For Private William A. Thorn's full military profile, and access to his personal military file, refer to New Zealand Online Cenotaph : www.aucklandmuseum.com
Zealand.
Jenifer Everett