Whyte, Thomas Anderson (Private, b.1886 - d.1915)

Collection of letters written during the First World War by 47 Private Thomas Anderson Whyte, 10th Infantry Battalion. The letters are written to his fiancee, Eileen Wallace Champion. Private Whyte was a 28 year old agent from Hyde Park, South Australia when he enlisted on 19 August 1914. He embarked from Adelaide on 20 October 1914 aboard the HMAT Ascanius.

The letters describe aspects of the voyage, including a description of the collision of HMAT Ascanius with Shropshire, and his love for Eileen. A book containing carbon copies of the letters is also included, various items of ephemera, his military identity disc, and some additional correspondence written by Eileen and her parents. Pte Whyte's last letter was written on 24 April 1915, the day before he died, and is a love letter to be sent to Eileen in the event he was killed in action and they never saw each other again.

Private Whyte was wounded in the stomach during the Gallipoli landing and transported to a nearby Hospital Ship (HMTS Gascon), where he died later that evening. The collection also contains two letters of condolence written by Sister Katherine Porter to Eileen describing his final moments.

Private Thomas Whyte was buried at sea, and his name appears on the Lone Pine Memorial at Gallipoli.

• Wallet 2 of 4 - Letters written by Thomas Anderson Whyte