Military Medal

Commonwealth of Australia
Department of Defence, 4th Military District

No. 4245. Cpl. C. T. Quinn, 32nd Batn. M. M.

During the attack near MORLANCOURT, South of ALBERT on the night 28/29th July, 1918 Cpl Quinn as section commander showed conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. His handling of his section throughout the operation was done with exceptional skill and he worked indefatigably during consolidation of the newly won position. During consolidation he moved around in front of his position and while doing so encountered a party of three of the enemy. These he immediately attacked and killed one, the other two he took as prisoners. His dash and daring as well as his cheerful manner throughout set a spendid example to his men under his command.

19/9/19

Brig. - General.
Commandant, 4th Military District

Cards and Notes

This brings us to the end of the correspondence of Corp T J Quinn to his South Australian family during World War 1. 

You can start reading from the beginning - using the navigation links to the right.

Corp Thomas James Quinn MM

The Soldiers Ten Commandments

1. The Colonel is the only boss. Thou shall have no other colonels but him.
2. But thou shalt make unto thyself many graven images of officers who fly in the heavens above; of staff officers who own the earth underneath; and of submarine officers, who are in the waters under the earth. Thou shalt stand up and salute them for the C.O., thy boss, will visit with field punishment unto the first and second degree on those who salute not, and shower stripes on those who salute and obey his commandments.
3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Adjutant in vain, for the C.O. will not hold him guiltless who taketh the Adjutant's name in vain.
4. Remember, thou shalt not rest on the Sabbath. Six days shalt thou labour and the seventh day is the day of the C.R.E (Commandant Royal Engineers). On it thou shalt do all manner of work, thou and thy officers, thy non-commissioned officers, thy sanitary man, and the Kitchener's army who are within thy trench.
5. Honour the army staff that thy days may be long in corps reserve, here one day they may send thee.
6. Thou shalt kill only Huns, slugs, lice, rats and the vermin that frequent dugouts.
7. Thou shalt not adulterate thy section's rum ration.
8. Thou shalt not steal, or at any rate, not be found out.
9. Thou shalt not eat any others jam except marmalade
10. Thou shalt not covet the ASC's job; thou shall not covet the ASC's pay, nor his motors, nor his wagons, nor his tents, nor his billets, nor his horses, nor his asses, nor any other cusby thing that is his.

Adelaide; July 4th, 1919

Certificate of Discharge

No 137448

Australian Imperial Expeditionary Force

Certificate of Discharge 0f 4245 (Rank) Corporal

(Name) Quinn, Thomas, James.

(Regiment or Corps) 32nd Battalion

born at or near the Town of Mount Bryan

in the State or Country of South Australia

Attested at Adelaide on the 12th July 1916 for the Imperial Forces Regiment or Corps at the age of 24 years.

____________________________

He is discharged in consequence of Cessation of Hostilities. 

Service towards completion of engagement: Two years 358 days.

Service Abroad Two years 202 days. 

Medals and Decorations: Military Medal

Signature of Officer Commanding Regiment: A Mitchell Lieut For SOF & RS 4th MD

Place: Keswick

Date July 4th 1919

___________________________

Description of the above-named Soldier on discharge :-

Age 26 years

Height 5ft 9 in

Complexion Medium

Eyes Blue

Hair Dark

Trade as stated by him on enlistment Farmer

Marks or scars, whether on face or other parts of body -  Left arm 6 Vaccs; Gun Shot Wounds Left thigh

______________________

Intended place of Residence Mount Bryan South Australia

Specimen Signature of Soldier T J Quinn.

Cancellation of pay

Defence Department,-4th Military District
MILITARY ALLOTMENTS.-DISCHARGED (in Australia), DECEASED, and MISSING.
Termination Advice No. 9263
D.P.M. Ref. No. 100/19
District Pay Office, Adelaide, 28/5/19
Certificate No, 36 payable at Hallett Post Office.
No. 4245 Rank CPl. Name QUINN, T. J. Unit 1/32nd Btn.
Allottee's Name and Address Mr. W. H. Quinn, Mount Bryan, S.A.
I have to inform you that allotment and separation allowance of 6/6 per diem payable to you under above certificate is to be cancelled on and from 5/7/19 and payments will therefore be made to you as under:-
Existing rate per fortnight £4. 11. 0
Amount due on 12/6/19 £11. 14. 0
Thereafter, payment will cease.
The reason for the cancellation is Soldier discharged 4/7/19.
Your Certificate will be retained by the Postmaster after final payment has been made.
Yours faithfully,
Officer in Charge District Payments.

Burra Record; June 18th, 1919

MOUNT BRYAN.
Welcome Home Social A large crowd assembled in the Mt. Bryan Hall on Tuesday, June 3rd, to Welcome Home Cpl. Tom Quinn, M.M., oldest son of Mr and Mrs W. H. Quinn of this town. As the returned soldier mounted the platform he was greeted wilh a rousing ovation, as also was Pte Wilkinson, of Booborowie, who accompanied him. Mr A. W. Rush presided. A programme of musical and elocutionary items was supplied by Misses R. Bell, R. Wardle, C. M. Jefferies, and Mr and Mrs W. T. Bell. Speeches of welcome and congratulation were made by Messrs A. W. Rush, K. J. Rigby and A. J. Pledge. Cpl. Quinn was present ed by the Chairman with the usual inscribed gold medal, while the Red Cross ladies, according to their custom, handed him a parcel of socks and comforts. Cpl. Quinn suitably responded. Supper was provided by a committee of ladies, after which dancing, of which Mr A. Scholnberg was M.C., brought a happy evening to a close.

MOUNT BRYAN EAST.
A Welcome Home Social was tendered to Cpl. T. J. Quinn, M.M., who has recently returned from active service abroad. Mr J. Thomas occupied the chair. Speeches were mane by Mr W. Gare, J. Thomas and B. Dunstan. Cpl. Quinn was well-known and respected in this district, and when, three years ago, he answered the country's call and joined the colours, it was not without making a big sacrifice. He was once wounded, but is fairly fit now, and intend s taking up his former occupation on the land. Cpl. Quinn was presented with a gold medal with an inscription. The attendance was large. Our guest was successful in winning the Military Medal. The following was the programme : — Chorus, Revellers; recitations, Master Theodore Pohlner, Misses Mavis Gare and Stella Pohlner; songs, Mr A. Simmons and Miss G. Tralaggon ; 'For he's a jolly good fellow.' Cpl. Quinn heartily thanked all for the warm welcome he had received. A supper and dance followed.

A message to you from the King

Buckingham Palace
1918
The Queen and I wish you God-speed, a safe return to the happiness and joy of home life with an early restoration to health.
A grateful Mother Country thanks you for faithful services.
George RJ

Struth - On Board News; May 14th, 1919

Struth No. 2

One Penny

The Homeward "Trek"

On Page 2 will be a round track chart. It shows the daily run to 13th May inclusive. To-day's run was 255. At this rate Adelaide should be reached in about 13 days. 

BRITISH BATTLES (Concluded)

The Battle of the SELLE, 1st, 3rd & 4th Armies, 17th October to 25th October. 26 Brit. Divns, defeated 31 German Divns. 21,000 prisoners, 450 guns. Forced him from the line of that River and drove still another salient into his defences. It was followed by the final blow. 

The Battle of the MAUBEUGE,  1st, 3rd & 4th Armies, 1st November to 12 Novr. 26 Brit. Divns. defeated 32 German Divns. 19,000 prisoners, 400 guns, which struck at and broke the enermiy's last important lateral communications, turned his positions Soheivt and forced him to retreat rapidly from Courtraf. This victory completed the great strategical aim of the whole series of battles by dividing, in effect, the enemy's forces into two parts,  one on each side of the great natural barrier of the Ardennes. The pursuit of the beaten Enemy all along the Allied Line was only stopped by then Armistice. 

Total captures by British & Allied armies from July 18th to Novr, 11th :-

British        Prisoners: 188,700;    Guns 2840

French       Prisoners: 139,000;    Guns 1880

American   Prisoners: 43,300;      Guns 1421

Belgian       Prisoners: 14,500;      Guns 474

Send along your contributions; now's your chance to win fame as a journalist. Trot along your jokes and short yarns. 

Who is Sigmen Muggins anyhow?

It is rumoured that there are large entries for the 'long-haired' competition. Only a limited supply of curling tongs are on sale. 

The use of "STRUTH" in the early morning for curling papers is advocated. 

It is rumoured that leading competitors will give an exhibition shortly at Orderly Room. Applications for the part of Barber's Assistant are invited for the occasion. 

AIF Base Records; May 12, 1919

Australian Imperial Force
Base Records Office
Department of Defence
BS Melbourne
12th May, 1919

Dear Sir,

I am in receipt of advice to the effect that No. 4245, Corporal T.J. Quinn, "MM" 32nd Battalion, is returning to Australia per transport "Medic" which left England on 10th April, 1919, and will probably arrive ion Melbourne about the 28th May 1919. Further information as to the exact date of arrival and time of disembarkation will be published in the press when available.

It should be noted, however, that owing to possible mutilations in the cabled advice, and other causes, this notification may not be correct pending verification from the roll after the arrival of the troopship.

Any further inquiries should be made to the Staff Officer Returned Soldiers, Military Head-quarters, Keswick, S.A.

Yours faithfully,
JM Lean Major,
Officer in Charge, Base Records.