Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of Geroge TOMLINSON and Minnie nee LIESGANG.

At the time of enlistment his next of kin was his mother named as Mrs. M.C. SHEPPARD, Laidley, Qld.

Husband of Mary Alexander nee McKENZIE

After returning from the war Theodore went on to become a policeman.

Police Constable Theodore Tomlinson, “A Constable’s Bravery, The Week, Friday 31st of October 1924, Page 28” –

“Citizens of Brisbane and more especially of Toowong, have not forgotten the night of June 16, when Constable Theodore Tomlinson by sheer pluckiness, was instrumental in bringing three criminals to book for burglary. Three men broke into a butcher’s shop at Toowong and blew open the safe. The explosion was heard, and the police informed. Constable Tomlinson jumped on his bicycle, rode to the scene and surprised the burglars attempting to rob the adjoining grocery shop. All three men ran away. Tomlinson called on them to stop, and then fired, wounding one. A second man stopped, and Constable Tomlinson arrested him at the point of his revolver. The third man escaped, but was apprehended at a house in Spring Hill, the following day. The citizens of Toowong felt some recognition was due to Constable Tomlinson for his action. A Citizens Committee was formed, with the Mayor (Ald. A. Watson), as chairman, and Mr W. Martin, as honorary secretary, and the outcome was that on October 24, at the Gaiety Theatre, Toowong, before representative gathering, Constable Tomlinson was made the recipient of a handsome gold watch and chain suitably inscribed, an address, and a substantial wallet of notes.

The presentation was made shortly after the interval of the picture program by the Mayor (Ald. A. Watson) who said there were times when they had brought home to them just what price they paid for their liberty and freedom. On June 16 last Constable Tomlinson had been called to duty and he had answered, with the result that two members of the underworld were laid by the heels. These people were not wanted in Toowong, and Toowong was no place for such characters. It was men of the caliber of Constable Tomlinson who kept these criminals in check. Constable Tomlinson was characteristic of the men who made up the Queensland Police Force, and made that force compare favorably with any force in the Commonwealth.”

Promotion – “Extract from - CIB Men Promoted, The Courier Mail, Friday 14 December 1951, Page 6” –

“Veteran C.I.B officers – Sub Inspector John Buggy and Snr-Sergeant Theodore Tomlinson were promoted yesterday to inspector and sub-inspector respectively.

Sub-Inspector Tomlinson was sworn in as a constable in July, 1992.

He has been awarded numerous favorable records for outstanding police work, one of which was for his part in breaking up a safe blowing gang in Brisbane.

He received the Military Medal in World War 1.”

“The Governor (Sir John Lavarack) thanks Mr Theodore Tomlinson, retired Sub-Inspector of Police, for his loyal police service during his career. Sir John had had just presented him with the Imperial Service Medal for loyal police service. Mr Tomlinson was one of ten ex-policemen to receive the award at an investiture at the Police Barracks today.”

(Received Medal, Brisbane Telegraph, Monday 21st of June 1954, Page 7)