Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

HUNT, THOMAS JAMES HUNT
SERVICE NO. 2169 & 17071
6TH REINFORCEMENTS 4TH BATTALION
3rd REINFORCEMENTS 53RD BATTALION
Thomas James Hunt was born in Helensburgh on 16th June 1895, to George Charles Hunt of Sherbrooke (coal miner) and Ellen Herbert (nee Broadbent). (see BDM NSW 22997/1895) He had two Brothers, William and Frank and three Sisters, Alice, Edith and Dorothy. He attended school at Helensburgh. Upon leaving school he became a labourer. His religion was Church of England.
Thomas enlisted on 28th April 1915, three days after his brother William landed on Gallipoli, he was 20 years old, and 5 ft 8 inches tall. He listed his place of birth as Thirroul which is incorrect.
He embarked Sydney on HMAT A63 Karoola for active service overseas, on his birthday 16th June 1915 aged 21years according to AIF records. He had that day only turned 20 years of age. He arrived in Egypt on 21st July 1915. On the 5th August landed at Gallipoli. He served in Gallipoli while his brother Bill was also there. Tom developed Pleurisy his stay on Gallipoli was short. On the 29th August 1915 he left Suez for return to Australia on board the H T Euripides. 1st October 1915 he disembarked at Melbourne, suffering Debility after Pneumonia. He was discharged on 8th January 1916 Unfit.
Tom really wanted to be part of the war effort so he re-enlisted 23rd February 1916 at Victoria Barracks. He was living in Walker St Helensburgh. He was now 21years 7mths old (army age). He was serving at Bathurst Depot. While there his mother Ellen died on 19th April 1916.
The 14th January 1917 Tom had a detailed medical check-up. He was found to have an infection of the left and right lungs. He was advised to apply for a pension. On 15th March 1917 he was discharged medically unfit. On 28th May 1918 he was found to be fit for active service. In June 1918 he learns of his brother, Frank’s death. Determined to be part of this war he re-enlisted on 23 July 1918. He was at this time living at Kingston, Thirroul and his father George was living at School Hill, Thirroul. He was admitted to Hospital for 185 days and was discharged from the AIF at Sydney on 17th February 1919.
After the war, work was had to find so Tom and his brother Bill formed a song and dance team and got work at the Tivoli in George St Sydney. Later Tom married and had two sons he worked in advertising and was very successful. He and Bill remained close throughout their lifetime. Thomas passed away in Concord Repatriation Hospital in 11th October 1970 aged 75 years.