Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Thomas was born in the Goldmining town of Ballarat on the 22nd July 1915. He later moved to Port Vincent, a farming town with a dep sea jetty where grain could be loaded for export.
Tom worked as a transport driver, and on weekends played for the Wayback Football team in the forward lines, being regularly listed as a goals scorer and in the best player list. A fellow team member was Max (‘Blue’) Richardson of Port Lincoln.
With War looming a huge drive was conducted in country areas, encouraging fit, healthy, preferably single young men to enlist. Tom travelled from his hometown of Port Vincent to Port Lincoln to do exactly this, just prior to his 25th birthday on the 13th July 1940. He was allocated the number SX8870, then placed in the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. A fellow footballer, Max Richardson enlisted at a similar time, becoming SX7532. Several other locals also followed suit with many being placed in the 2/48th Battalion. (In mid ’42, Max was taken Prisoner of War at the Tel el Eisa railway battle, eventually escaping through Switzerland.)
News of their decision to enlist, Tom and Max Richardson were farewelled in the dressing shed after Wayback’s match against Centrals. Their Captain and the Club secretary spoke highly of the young men and their decision. This was followed by three hearty cheers by the gathering of players, officials and supporters.
Early training was held at Woodside in the Adeliade Hills. Newspapers all contributed to encouraging young enlistees to sign up, with the August issue of the News including an article about the ‘Tall Men in the A.I.F.’ Tom was the equal third tallest of the enlistees at 6 ft. 2½ inches.
During brief leave, then Private T.D. Keane travelled home for a few days, an observation reported by the Yorketown Pioneer. He then embarked on the Stratheden on the 17th November, arriving in the Middle East in December.
By July ’42 Tom was promoted to Acting Corporal and spent a fortnight at Gas Training School. Unfortunately, by November he was diagnosed with ‘pernicious anaemia’ an autoimmune condition which results in Vitamin B12 deficiency and a reduced red blood cell count, a serious diagnosis. This precluded him from continuing to serve. Several weeks later he developed a peptic ulcer and was placed on the seriously ill list, being removed from this in December. Inevitably Tom returned to Australia and was able to go home on leave to spend time recovering.
He was discharged as being medically unfit for duty on the 17th May ’43. However, Tom continued to be actively involved in supporting those still serving overseas. As honorary Secretary, he was also a popular M.C. with the Gladstone R.S.L. which held its Annual Ball in July ‘45, attended by 250 people who came from many neighbouring towns. United Nations flags formed part of the decorations with locals providing home-grown flowers. Tom’s M.C. skills were also evident at the Gladstone Miss Red Cross Ball in August ’45.
In his secretarial role, Tom was also involved in the showing of the war film, "Sons of the Anzacs" at Georgetown and Gladstone. The film gave an excellent description of the work and routine of Australian soldiers.
Inevitably, Tom became president of the local Gladstone sub-branch. He was an integral part of the Anzac Day Service, involving 50 soldiers and over 300 residents in April ’47. As part of the proceedings, the names of the fallen in the two wars were read. Besides remembering those who served at Gallipoli, mention was also made of the ‘gallant men who gave their lives in the second great war, who were also of the bravest and best of our manhood and womanhood. It was on such an occasion as Anzac Day that we gather together in praise of their noble deeds and think of them.’ Tom’s wife placed a wreath on behalf of the RSL.
In his role as President, Tom was particularly pro-active in having extra rooms added to the Memorial Hall and securing a 25 year lease of the Hall with the right of renewal. In September ’47 Tom was also unanimously elected to be the permanent Secretary of the Mid Northern Sub Branches of the R.S.L. In ’47 he was also elected President of the East Flinders Cricket Association, the clubs affiliating being Laura, Wirrabara, Gladstone and Caltowie. The following year Tom was elected Secretary of the Northern Areas Football Association.
Tom’s passion for football resulted in him being the honorary organiser of a lightning football premiership competition in Gladstone in September ’48, inviting the Northern Areas, Flinders, Broughton, and Pirie Associations. He hoped the competition would test out the good-natured banter often head as “to which team in the country plays the best football." That year he was also heavily involved in the Silver Jubilee of the formation of the Gladstone Sub-branch of the Returned Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen's League of Australia. This was a huge success with a Brass band, soap box derby, decorated floats and people, cycling events, trotting events, a huge procession and races.
In 1950, still in the role of secretary of the Mid North R.S.L. Tom was one of the delegates calling, on Federal and State Governments to provide preference in all possible matters to former service men and women for a further seven years. Amongst his exemplary volunteer work, Tom also found time to play golf.
By August ’53 he became Superintendent of the Shell Company at Gladstone and still continued to volunteer in the community.
Aged 86, Tom died on the 25th January 2002. He is remembered on the Port Vincent War Memorial and on the Memorial Wall in the Centennial Park Cemetery.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes, SX8133 2/48th Battalion.