Description
British War Medal, officially impressed “8180 SPR. A.R. THURYGILL. 4-F.C.E. A.I.F.”
Victory Medal, officially impressed “8180 SPR. A.R. THURYGILL. 4-F.C.E. A.I.F.”
A short service to a sapper of the 4th FCE that died on the Somme at the close of 1916, medals stapled onto a board and uncirculated as issued.
Alfred Rupert Thurygill, born of a British family in Simla, British Raj (India) in July 1890, possibly whilst his family was stationed here for business or service, was the son of Mr George William Thurygill and Mrs E. Thurygill. At some point in his early life, Alfred immigrated to Australia and was a resident of Brisbane where he was a member of the Brisbane Rifle Club for 5 years. With the first World War continuing overseas, Alfred attested for the Australian Imperial Force on the 20th January 1916, enlisting in Sydney where he was posted to the fifth reinforcements to the 7th Field Company Engineers as Sapper 8180.
- Disembarked at Tel-el-Kebir 16th May 1916
- Proceeded overseas to France 16th August 1916
- T.O.S. to the 4th Field Company Engineers
As part of the 4th Australian Division, the 4th Field Company Engineers were on the front at Flers, the Somme, and Alfred, on the 6th December 1916, was wounded in action. After being evacuated to the clearing stationary he died of wounds and was buried at Bernafay Wood British Cemetery.
