Service Number: 2821
Rank: Private
Roll Title: 22 Infantry Battalion 1 to 8 Reinforcements
Date of Embarkation: 27th October 1915
Place of Embarkation: Melbourn
Ship Embarked on: HMAT Ulysses A38
Age: 21 years
Born: 1st October 1893, Ione, California, USA.
Father: William Sherlock Whiteside, Beaconsfield, Victoria.
Mother: Sarah (McCullagh)
Religion: Presbyterian
Occupation: Orchardist
Residence: Beaconsfield, Victoria.
Joined AIF: 17th July 1915
Height: 5 feet, 81/2 inches
Complexion: Fresh, Eyes-Grey, Hair-Brown
Berwick City News – 15th March 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 – 30th August 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 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.
Thomas returned to Australia on the 15th January 1919 and was discharged on the 1st March 1919.
Thomas received the Star Medal 1914/1915, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal on the 10th October 1920.
In 1923 Thomas married Kathleen Amy Cunningham. They lived in Whiteside Road, Officer and he continued to work as an orchardist.
Thomas died in January 1959 in Officer, Victoria and was buried on the 6th January 1959 at the Berwick Cemetery.
His name is listed on the Officer Roll of Honor as Whiteside. C.
