Private Thomas Francis GEARY (1890-1917).

Service # 6/231; Private, Canterbury Infantry Regiment, 1st Battalion, 12th (Nelson) Company, Main Body, New Zealand Expeditionary Forces (NZEF).

Born 30 June 1890 - at Wellington, North Island, New Zealand.

Thomas was the son of Thomas & Clara Geary - of Wellington.

Prior to enlistment for war service Thomas Geary was a Labourer - at Titirangi Station, Marlborough Sounds, Marlborough Region, South Island, New Zealand.

Thomas Geary enlisted for war service - on 15 August 1914 - at Nelson, South Island, New Zealand. He was 24 years of age.

At enlistment Thomas Geary was posted as a Private with the Canterbury Infantry Regiment, 1st Battalion, Main Body, NZEF.

On 16 October 1914 Private Geary left New Zealand for overseas war service - with the Main Body NZEF - aboard HMNZ T11 "Athenic" - from Port of Wellington, North Island, New Zealand.

Private Geary disembarked from his transport ship from New Zealand - on 3 December 1914 - at Alexandria, Egypt.

On 12 April 1915 Private Geary embarked again, from Egypt, for active war service with the ANZAC (Australian & New Zealand Army Corps) Forces - at Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey.

Private Geary served at Gallipoli until he was evacuated with all ANZAC troops from Gallipoli Peninsula -  in late December 1915.

On 31 December 1915 Private Geary disembarked, from war service at Gallipoli, at Alexandria, Egypt.

On 16 April 1916 Private Geary left Egypt for active war service - at France & Belgium.

Private Geary served at France & Belgium until he was admitted sick (with appendicitis) - on 28 July 1917 - to the New Zealand Field Ambulance, in the field - at France or Belgium.

On 30 July 1917 Private Geary was admitted to the No 20 General Hospital at Camieres. France. On 3 August 1917 he was discharged to the NZEF Base Depot - at Etaples, France.

Private Geary re-joined his unit - on 6 August 1917 - in the field - at France or Belgium.

On 12 October 1917 Private Geary was wounded in action - at Passchendaele, Ypres, Belgium.

Private Thomas F. Geary died of wounds - received at Passchendaele, Ypres, Belgium - on 12 October 1917. He was 27 years of age.

Private Thomas Geary is commemorated on the Tyne Cot (New Zealand) Memorial, Tyne Cot Cemetery, Zonnebeke, West Vlaanderen, Belgium (New Zealand Apse: Panel 2).

Private Thomas F. Geary is also remembered at his hometown in New Zealand - on the Picton District War Memorial (1914-1918) - at Picton, Marlbororugh Region, South Island, New Zealand.

For Private Thomas F. Geary's full military record refer to New Zealand Online Cenotaph : www.aucklandmuseum.com

Photo Credit: Private T.F. Geary : Auckland War Memorial Museum (Auckland, New Zealand).

Photo Credit: Picton War Memorial : Ministry of Culture & Heritage; New Zealand Government.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jenifer Everett