![]() He served in France throughout the war: in January 1916 he was awarded the Military Cross (MC) for ‘distinguished action in the field’, and in 1918 received a bar to the MC ‘for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.’įollowing the armistice in 1918 he was posted to Northern Russia where he worked as a medical officer on hospital trains, caring for the casualties of the Russian Civil War. ![]() Somerville passed the conjoint medical examination (MRCS, LRCP) in the summer of 1914 and, at the outbreak of war, was commissioned in the Royal Army Medical Corps. He immediately gained a place at the London Hospital Medical College, believing that a dual qualification would aid his plans to work abroad. After attending Framlingham College Suffolk, he entered the Royal Veterinary College in 1904, graduating MRCVS in 1908. It was here, on 11 December 1940, that a member of the veterinary profession was recognised for gallantry of the highest order.ĭr Thomas Somerville was born in March 1887 in Ceylon, the son of a successful tea planter and merchant. It is still known by this name.This month marks the 75 th anniversary of ‘ Operation Compass’ which took place in the North African desert, in western Egypt during World War 2. It is named Prospect House on the 1st-edition Ordnance Survey map but as Shorecliffe House on the 25-inch map of the 1890s. William Baldwin at the time of Griffith's Valuation, when it was valued at £11. (3) The entry for Shorecliffe in the National University of Ireland (NUI) Galway Connacht and Munster Landed Estates Database records "Occupied by the Rev. Crown Protector of Aborigines, Native Land Purchase Commissioner and Minister of Native Affairs. Administrator, runholder, politician, provincial superintendent. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. The information in this entry was provided by Marjorie Laidler, grand-daughter of Charlotte Victoria Townshend, supplemented by extracts from correspondence between John Henry Townsend and Donald McLean. The last mention of nephews is in a letter from Dunbeacon dated 15 June 1864 – “with my best wishes and thanks for your attention to my nephews…”Ī transcript of the relevant letters from John Henry is in Thomas’ Scrapbook.īoth Thomas and Elizabeth are buried in Wollombi C of E cemetery. The first letter in which he mentions nephews is dated “Shorecliffe, (3) Leap, Glandore July 29 1853” “I should have written long since if it were only to thank you for having an eye on my nephews. John Henry had emigrated to Australia with Thomas’ father, Jonas Morris Townsend in 1828, but gave up his enterprise in 1836 and moved to New Zealand some time before 1844 – the date of his first letter from Auckland. This material consists of eleven letters written by Thomas’ uncle, John Henry Townsend between 18 and all are addressed to Donald McLean (2) in New Zealand. ![]() Recently discovered correspondence in the Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand (1) indicates that between 18 Thomas was in New Zealand as was his brother Richard Townsend. He retained his other business interests until 1912 when he sold them and retired. He opened 'Townsend Hotel' in Wollombi and set up as an undertaker but sold the hotel after his wife died in 1895. ![]() This proved to be most successful and Thomas expanded his business interests. In about 1863 he moved back to Wollombi and tried his hand as a blacksmith and wheelwright. In 1853 he was appointed Bailiff for small debts in the Wollombi/MacDonald area and later Registrar for the district. Within the family it has always been thought that in 1850, aged 16, Thomas left home for the MacDonald River where he worked as a farm hand. ) was the daughter of William Baker, a wealthy farmer who had emigrated to Australia in 1828. Married 28 February 1856 in St Andrew's Anglican Church, Sydney, NSW. He was baptized on at St Mary's Church, East Maitland and this is the first recorded baptism in the register. Thomas was born at the family property 'Summerville' in the Wollombi Valley, NSW, Australia. Notes for Thomas Somerville FitzSimmons Townshend. Thomas Somerville FitzSimmons Townshend (255) Date of Birth:
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