Private 2008, 45th Battalion, Australian Infantry, Australian Imperial Force. Died 02/05/1918. Age 24.

 

Son of Arthur Thurston and Alice nee Banthorpe. Arthur had the Post Office & a Cab company in Church Road, Old Felixstowe. Jack was born in Felixstowe on August 13, 1894, living with his parents and 7 siblings in one of the houses opposite St Peter and St Paul Church. Alice passed away in 1905 having suffered from mental health problems for two months. After attending Ferry County Primary School, it is thought that Jack worked as a clerk possibly in Ipswich. With one of his sisters he emigrated to Australia, sailing third class on the ‘Benalla’ to Melbourne on September 25, 1913. Another brother also later emigrated to Australia.

 

Jack enlisted in the Australian Infantry on February 21, 1916. Australian forces including Jack’s battalion, were involved in desperate fighting to stem the German advance which began in March 1918. Jack died of his wounds during a battle in the Amiens area on May 2, 1918 aged 24. Arthur remarried & was living at O'Fald Terrace at the time of Jack's death however on his military records Jack gave his father's address as being Hazelmere, Berners Road, Felixstowe which was his uncle's business address.

 

He is buried at Vignacourt British Cemetery in France. He is remembered on St Peter and St Paul WW1 Memorial and Felixstowe Seafront Memorial.