Service number 2821
Service number 2821ORIGINAL NAME PLATE C.1929
Thomas returned to Australia on the 15thJanuary 1919. Discharged on the 1stMarch 1919.
In July 1923 Thomas married Kathleen Amy Cunningham. They lived in Whiteside Road, Officer and he continued to work as an orchardist.
Berwick City News (15thMarch 1916)
“A letter from Pte Clair Whiteside appears in a recent issue of the Tamb and Bruthen Times. The letter received by Mr Munachen a one time resident of Berwick. Private Whiteside says that he has been inside and outside of nearly all the chief places of historic interest- pyramids, citadel slave market, tombs, mosques etc. Some of the buildings are very artistic, but size was the chief wonder.”
Berwick Shire News (30thAugust 1916)
“It was several weeks ago that Cpl Whiteside, son of Rev WS Whiteside, was wounded while fighting in France. The information was first received from Corporal Whiteside himself and afterwards from the defence department. On Monday Rev WS Whiteside received the following message from Base Records Office. “Now report your son Cpl TC Whiteside admitted to General Hospital, 22nd July, gunshot wound to the forehead severe, will promptly advise if anything further received.” (This message was apparently delayed in transmission as it was about 5 weeks since Cpl Whiteside was wounded.) The latest information received by private cable, states that he is improving and expects to go into a convalescent home in a few days.”
Died on the 24th November 1959 at Officer, Victoria.
Buried at Berwick Cemetery.
His daughter Elizabeth Whiteside compiled his letters in the book-‘ A valley in France; World War I letters to his parents and sister while on Active Service from Egypt, France and Great Britain. 1915-1918.’ Beaconsfield, Whiteside, 1999.
| Name | WHITESIDE, Thomas Clair |
| Service Number | 2821 |
| Rank | Private |
| Roll | 22 Infantry Battalion 1-8 Reinforcements (June 1915-January 1916) 59 Battalion |
| Conflict | First World War 1914-1918 |
| Embarked | 27thOctober 1915 |
| City | Melbourne |
| Ship | HMAT Ulysses A38 |
| Age | 21 years |
| Birth Place | 1stOctober 1893, Ione, California, USA |
| Father | William Sherlock Whiteside, Beaconsfield, Victoria |
| Mother | Sarah (McCullagh) Whiteside |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Occupation | Orchardist |
| Residence | Beaconsfield, Victoria |
| Enlisted | 17thJuly 1915 |
| Height | 5 feet, 8 ½ inches |
| Complexion | Fresh; Eyes- Grey; Hair- Brown |
