PRITCHARD, Thomas Page
| Service Number: | VX23441 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 6 June 1940 |
| Last Rank: | Driver |
| Last Unit: | 2nd/5th Field Ambulance |
| Born: | Portland, Victoria, Australia , 25 May 1921 |
| Home Town: | Box Hill, Whitehorse, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Storeman |
| Died: | Doveton, Victoria, Australia , 3 August 2024, aged 103 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 6 Jun 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, VX23441, 2nd/5th Field Ambulance | |
|---|---|---|
| 6 Jun 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, VX23441, Taken on strength at R.R.D. Caulfield after claiming to be 21 years old. He was born in 1921 not 1919 as stated. | |
| 6 Aug 1940: | Transferred Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Driver, 2nd/5th Field Ambulance, Puckapunyal. | |
| 20 Oct 1940: | Embarked Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Driver, VX23441, 2nd/5th Field Ambulance, Embarked from Princes Pier on RMS Mauretania, disembarking in M.E. on 25 Nov 1940. | |
| 20 Oct 1940: | Embarked Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, VX23441, 2nd/5th Field Ambulance, Embarked from Princes Pier on RMS Mauretania. Disembarked in M.E. on 25 Nov 1940. | |
| 25 Nov 1940: | Involvement Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Driver, VX23441, 2nd/5th Field Ambulance, Middle East / Mediterranean Theatre | |
| 10 Apr 1941: | Involvement Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Driver, VX23441, 2nd/5th Field Ambulance, Siege of Tobruk | |
| 1 Feb 1942: | Embarked Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Driver, VX23441, 2nd/5th Field Ambulance, R.T.A. from M.E. | |
| 28 Mar 1942: | Involvement Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Driver, VX23441, 2nd/5th Field Ambulance, Australia's Northern Periphery, Retrained in Australia for New Guinea deployment. | |
| 10 Aug 1942: | Embarked Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Driver, VX23441, 2nd/5th Field Ambulance, Embarked from Brisbane for New Guinea, disembarking in N.G. on 17 Aug 1942. | |
| 17 Aug 1942: | Involvement Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Driver, VX23441, 2nd/5th Field Ambulance, Milne Bay - Papua New Guinea WW2 | |
| 7 Dec 1942: | Embarked Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Driver, VX23441, 2nd/5th Field Ambulance, Evacuated to 116 AGH Townsville for malaria treatment. | |
| 17 Aug 1943: | Embarked Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Driver, VX23441, 2nd/5th Field Ambulance, Returned to New Guinea after hospitalization and retraining. Disembarked from "Katoomba" in Port Moresby on 20 Aug 1943. | |
| 31 Jan 1944: | Involvement Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Driver, VX23441, New Guinea - Huon Peninsula / Markham and Ramu Valley /Finisterre Ranges Campaigns | |
| 15 May 1944: | Embarked Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Driver, VX23441, 2nd/5th Field Ambulance, Emplaned for Lae to RTA on HMT Duntroon. Disembarked at Townsville on 20 May 1944. | |
| 20 May 1944: | Involvement Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Driver, VX23441, 2nd/5th Field Ambulance, Australia's Northern Periphery | |
| 21 May 1945: | Embarked Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Driver, VX23441, 2nd/5th Field Ambulance, Embarked from Cairns on USS LST-457. Disembarked at Morotai on 12 June 1945. | |
| 12 Jun 1945: | Involvement Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Driver, VX23441, 2nd/5th Field Ambulance, Morotai Operations. | |
| 22 Jun 1945: | Embarked Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Driver, VX23441, 2nd/5th Field Ambulance, Embarked on USS Titania for field service at Balikpapan in Borneo. | |
| 1 Jul 1945: | Involvement Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Driver, VX23441, 2nd/5th Field Ambulance, Borneo - Operation Oboe July - August 1945 | |
| 7 Nov 1945: | Embarked Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Driver, VX23441, 2nd/5th Field Ambulance, R.T.A. from Balikpapan on HMTS Cheshire. Disembarked on 20 Nov 1945. | |
| 30 Nov 1945: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Driver, VX23441, 2nd/5th Field Ambulance | |
| 30 Nov 1945: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, VX23441, 2nd/5th Field Ambulance |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Cheryl Thompson
STAND DOWN - Tommy Pritchard
IT IS WITH VERY HEAVY HEARTS THAT WE SHARE THE NEWS THAT AUSTRALIA'S LAST SURVIVING RAT OF TOBRUK, VX23441 DRIVER THOMAS PAGE PRITCHARD FORMERLY OF THE 2/5TH FIELD AMBULANCE PASSED AWAY IN VICTORIA ON 3 AUGUST 2024.
A day we knew would come and rue, the day when the last of our beloved heroes from the Siege would pass from our midst.
"Tommy" was a very modest man who did not wish for any celebration of his being the last remaining Rat. He did not seek nor wish for the limelight to be cast on him and it was his wish that when he passed it was to be a private family funeral.
As much as we wish to show our sadness and respect for him, we must observe his wishes.
A commemoration service to all Rats of Tobruk is planned in Melbourne on a date to be advised which will give our Association a time and place to show our deepest respects.
ROTA Victoria will have a "condolences book" at their Headquarters in Albert Park for people who may wish to send a message to family.
SERVICE RECORD:
Tommy served in Tobruk with the 2/5th Field Ambulance returning to Australia with the 7th Division in February 1942. In August 1942 he embarked for New Guinea and, as many before him, fought with Malaria and was repatriated to Australia in December 1942.
He rejoined his unit in March 1943 and again embarked for New Guinea in August 1943 where he served until May 1944.
A year later in May 1945 he embarked for Morotai Island, and in June 1945 embarked for service in Balikpapan.
In October 1945 after the cessation of hostilities of WW2, Tommy was transferred to the 2/4th Field Ambulance and embarked on the voyage home to Australia in November 1945.
Five years of war, deserts and jungles and all by the tender age of 24. (He had enlisted as being born in 1919 but in reality he was born in 1921).
We know that you will all feel as sad and empty as we do on the loss of this man who unwillingly marked the end of our surviving Rats of Tobruk.
Descendants of the Rats of Tobruk - Australia Assoc Inc
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