Thowald Magnus Andersen
Stephen LearmonthThowald was the second child of Thowald and Selina (née Elliot) Andersen, being born in 1896, at Kamarooka, Victoria. When Albert was seven, his mother and youngest sister, Selina May, had both died, leaving Thowald with three children under seven to raise. At some time between 1903 and 1905 he married Mary-Anne O’Connor and they would go on to have two more sons, Frederick in 1905 and Victor in 1911. Thowald would attend the Baranduda State School for his early education.
On the 7th of August, 1915, Thowald underwent his medical examination to enlist in the 1st AIF. It would be almost two months until his attestation papers were certified by an officer. He was allocated the Regimental Number 2555 and placed in the 6th Reinforcements for the 21st Battalion. After initial training, his unit embarked on the RMS Moldavia on the 5th of October, 1915.
Not long after arriving in Egypt, Thowald was admitted to the Number 4 Auxiliary Hospital suffering from the mumps. On the 7th of January, 1916 he finally joined his battalion at Tel-el-Kebir in Egypt. February the 28th, 1916, was a particularly bad day for Thowald as he was charged twice for committing two separate crimes. The first, disobedience of camp standing order, resulted in him receiving two days detention. The second was being late on parade and absent from the orderly room. For this he was awarded four days confined to barracks and a forfeiture of two days pay.
After further training in the desert, the battalion embarked on HMT Tunisian at Alexandria and sailed to Marseilles in the south of France, arriving on the 5th of June. Two days later, following a train ride through the French countryside, he arrived at the 2nd Australian Division Base Depot at Etaples.
In mid-August the battalion was billeted in the Bertaucourt area south-east of Amiens. On the 19th they began the move north to Brickfield near Albert. By the 22nd the battalion was holding the front line. Over the next couple of days they would clean and strengthen the length of the line that they were holding. While the battalion war diary has no action recorded for the 24th of August, Thorwald’s records state that he was wounded in action on this day. He was taken to the 7th Australian Field Ambulance with a gun shot wound in the left leg. On the 31st he was transferred to the 26th General Hospital at Etaples where he remained until being sent to the 6th Convalescent Depot. On the 18th of September he was discharged to duty and sent back to his battalion. Five days later he was charged with being absent from the 1600 hours Parade on the 22nd of September and awarded forteen days confined to camp.
On the 5th of November, the 21st Battalion took part in an attack along with other battalions from the 1st and 2nd Australian Divisions. Their objective was to capture two salients, enemy held land that jutted out from the front line, one immediately north of the village of Gueudecourt and the other, known as the Maze, two kilometres west.
As the 21st began their attack, their sector was subjected to a violent enemy bombardment. The brigade on their left failed to make good their objectives, resulting in their left flank becoming exposed. A company of the 23rd Battalion filled the gap. The battalion patrolled very vigorously throughout the night. C Company was used as stretcher bearers for the 7th Brigade, whilst B Company was used as carriers for supplies and ammunition. The battalion’s own casualties were 5 killed and 16 wounded.
Thowald was amongst the wounded. He was admitted to the 36th Casualty Clearing Station, however due to the serious nature of his wounds, was transferred to the 1st Australian General Hospital at Rouen. On the 11th of November, 1916, Thowald succumbed to his wounds. He was buried at St Sever Cemetery.
Thowald is remembered on the Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, and the Baranduda Pictorial Honour Roll. For his service during the First World War, he was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal
