Lives of the First World War

Studio portrait of 429 Private (Pte) Thomas Manderson from Gin Gin, Queensland on the left and 979 Pte Benjamin David White from Capella Queensland, both of the 42nd Battalion. Pte Manderson was a 26 year old labourer prior to enlisting on 26 October 1915 and Pte White was a 19 year old cleaner when he enlisted on 14 October 1915. Both soldiers embarked for overseas with B Company from Sydney on 5 June 1915 aboard HMAT Borda. Following further training in England, both proceeded to France to join the 42nd Battalion in November 1916. Pte Manderson was killed in action at Messines, Belgium on 9 July 1917 and buried in the Bethleem Farm West Cemetery, Belgium. Pte White was wounded in action on 9 June 1917 and evacuated to England for medical treatment. After rejoining his unit four months later, he was killed in action on 28 April 1918 and buried in Bonnay Communal Cemetery Extension, France.