STICK, Thomas John
| Service Number: | 3773 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 27 June 1917, 3.5 years cadets, 9 mths Home Service |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 35th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Adamstown, New South Wales, Australia, 21 May 1899 |
| Home Town: | Lismore, Lismore Municipality, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Draper |
| Died: | Grange, Queensland, Australia, 4 February 1947, aged 47 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane, Qld Anzac Portion 7, Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane. |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 27 Jun 1917: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3773, 53rd Infantry Battalion, 3.5 years cadets, 9 mths Home Service | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Aug 1917: | Involvement Private, 3773, 53rd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '19' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Miltiades embarkation_ship_number: A28 public_note: '' | |
| 2 Aug 1917: | Embarked Private, 3773, 53rd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Miltiades, Sydney | |
| 2 Mar 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 3773, 35th Infantry Battalion, 2nd MD |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Evan Evans
From Australian Remembrance Army
Private Thomas John Stick (Service No. 3773), an Australian World War One veteran, is among almost 800 previously unmarked WWI veterans’ graves in Lutwyche Cemetery we have now marked with plaques in recognition of their service for Australia.
We unveiled his plaque in Lutwyche Cemetery on 15 April 2023, along with a further 246 plaques on the previously unmarked graves of Australian World War One veterans:
See Australian Remembrance Army Facebook page
Thomas John Stick was born on 21 May 1899 in Adamstown, Newcastle, New South Wales, to Nicholas Stick and Emily Stick (née Rescori). He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in Lismore, NSW, on 14 June 1917, stating his occupation as draper, and nominating his sister as next of kin. On 2 August 1917, he embarked for overseas service with the 53rd Battalion aboard HMAT Miltiades from Sydney.
On 7 October 1917, he proceeded overseas to France via Southampton and joined his unit on the Western Front in February 1918. On 1 May 1918, while serving in the field with the 35th Battalion, he was wounded in action. He was admitted to medical care on 6 May 1918, suffering from concussion of the spine, later recorded as shell concussion and neurasthenia, terms used at the time to describe the physical and psychological effects of prolonged exposure to heavy artillery fire, commonly known as “shell shock”.
Following his wounding, he was evacuated through a series of medical facilities in France and England. He was admitted to Reading War Hospital on 12 May 1918 and later transferred to Harefield Hospital on 10 June 1918. His condition was considered serious enough that he was declared unfit for further active service. Thomas returned to Australia aboard the hospital ship Karoola, disembarking on 6 September 1918. He was formally discharged from the Australian Imperial Force on 2 March 1919.
Following his return to Australia, he married Isabel Mary Strong on 22 May 1921 in Lismore, New South Wales. They raised their family in northern New South Wales, where he worked as a shop assistant and salesman. By 1936, they were living at Sandgate, Brisbane, and he was still employed as a salesman. In 1943, he was residing at Grange, Brisbane.
Private Thomas John Stick died on 4 February 1947, aged 47, and was buried two days later in Anzac Portion 7, Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane.
After decades without recognition at his place of burial, his grave now bears a plaque commemorating his service to Australia — ensuring his name endures among those remembered for their duty and sacrifice. His identity and dignity have now been restored.
We have remembered him.
Lest We Forget.
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