Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Thomas lived at 20 Brighton Ave, Croydon Park, NSW, next door to his grandmother, during childhood and until he was married. He often wagged school and would go to the local primary school when the truant officer caught him. He left school early, without attending high school. Thomas and his brothers were a rough bunch who formed part of a river pirates gang on the Cooks River who had mock battles with other local children. His brother George reputedly punched a schoolteacher at one stage and was sent home. Tommy and his brothers were sometimes punished and sent to bed without any dinner, which was rather ineffective because they would merely jump out the window and go next door to their grandmother's house.
Thomas was an apprentice to a baker and pastry cook, which led to his position as cook in the Australian Army during World War II. After the war he never returned to work as a cook, and didn't cook at home. However, he retained his firm belief that commercial square bread was "compressed dough" and always insisted on high-top style loaves from the baker.
Thomas trained for WWII at Sydney Showground including being trained by his Uncle Jack Shaw who had previously served in the Boer War and World War I. He left home when his first daughter was approximately 3 months old - circa May 1942. Thomas served in New Guinea, including at Kokoda, Lae, Port Moresby and Finch Haven. Thomas served as sergeant and acting warrant officer in the Australian army during World War II. His service at Kokoda was with a workshop unit and was immediately following the battle with the first job being to bury the dead Japanese. This time spent fighting the Japanese lead to a loathing of Japanese for the remaining 20 years of his life.
Thomas also worked at Mark Foy's department store in the city of Sydney as a blind repairer and carpet layer with many family members including his father, brothers and uncles. His occupation when married in 1938 was listed on his marriage certificate as storeman. With his mother and brothers he was engaged in community singing and piano playing as part of a musical family. His father, so it is said, had his "cap and gown" in music and was a prolific breeder of birds including budgerigars and pigeons. Thomas was the head steward at Punchbowl ex-serviceman's club, Broadway St for many years.
Thomas liked to have new technology and owned one of the first televisions in the area, becoming a keen Bonanza viewer.