Lieutenant Colonel Francis H. Thornthwaite, who was 50, was Army Liaison Officer in the General Staff and in that capacity was accompanying Sir Brudenell White to the War-Cabinet meeting. He married a cousin of Mrs Street.
He began his military career in 1910 as a lieutenant in the Royal Australian Garrison Artillery (Permanent Forces) and left for oversea service in 1914 with the First Divisional Artillery, A.I.F. He was adjutant the first field Brigade, and later Brigade Major of the Fifth Divisional Artillery. Subsequently he commanded the 14th Field Brigade. When peace came he was wearing the ribbons of the D.S.O. and M.C. and was in command of the 12th Australian Field Brigade. From 1919 until 1922 he was with the First Battery Sydney.
He then left the army and became a grazier near Deniliquin. During recent years he had been a pastoralist at Derrinallum (Vic) where he was a regular visitor to the Fairbairn and Street stations. He was called up for active service soon after the outbreak of war and was one of the most popular senior staff officers at Victoria Barracks.
His wife is an enthusiastic worker for the Australian Comforts Fund.
'Thornthwaite, Francis H. (1890–1940)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/thornthwaite-francis-h-969/text970, accessed 22 December 2024.