Number Private 6908A

Battalion 24th Battalion

Place of Birth Rauma Finland, then part of Russia

Next of Kin His father, Johan Tornroos

Date and place of enlistment Melbourne 9/6/1917

Physical details on enlistment Age 25 years and 9 months,
5'10", 156 pounds, brown eyes and brown hair

Religion Presbyterian

Occupation Farm hand

Date and place of death

He was killed in action on 5/10/1918

Location of grave or memorial

Calvaire Cemetery Montbrehain France

Relationship to Woorayl Shire

He enlisted in and had lived in the local area

Military History

He was born in Finland which was part of Russia at the time of World War 1. He arrived in Australia on 4/6/1913

9/6/17 He enlisted in Melbourne.
21/11/17 He embarked Melbourne on HMAT Nestor
15/12/17 He disembarked Suez
8/1/18 He embarked Alexandria
13/1/18 He disembarked at Taranto
24/1/18 He disembarked at Southampton
27/3/18 he was sick with meningitis
11/6/18 He was back in service
12/7/18 He went to France
27/7/18 He was wounded in action by gas and admitted to hospital in Le Harve
7/9/18 He was discharged from hospital
14/7/18 He rejoined his unit
12/10/18 He was killed in action
He worked for Mr. and Mrs. McPherson of Wooreen via Leongatha and they were caring for his horse
There was difficulty communicating with his parents as they were in Finland but eventually information was obtained and his estate given to his mother.
There were two soldiers from Finland who were living in the Leongatha district. The other was Oscar Saario. Oscar returned to the Leongatha area and his descendants are still living in the region.