'Horace Thomas Dalton was born at Dunwich (Goompi), North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah), Qld. in 1899 to Thomas and Elizabeth (Lizzie) Dalton (nee Parker) and was working as a farmer when he volunteered to serve with the first AIF in May 1918. The Enlistment Officer wrote to his parents asking they supply their consent for their young son to serve overseas, which was freely given. He trained at Rifle Range Camp, Enoggera before being allotted to the 4th General Reinforcements for Egypt. He embarked on board the troop ship 'Port Sydney' in August 1918 arriving at the Port of Suez four weeks later.
'After spending two months at the Light Horse Training Camp in Moascar, Dalton was assigned to the 11th Light Horse Regiment and joined them in the field when they were encamped near the village of Zgarta, Libya, in November 1918.
'In May 1919 Trooper Dalton was admitted to hospital suffering from a chronic middle ear infection and remained unfit for duty until June. One month later he boarded the troopship Morvada at Kantara north of Cairo, bound for Australia.'
Source: John Oxley Library, State Library Queensland.
