Thomas Henry LONNEN

Badge Number: MS599, Sub Branch: Edwardstown
MS599

LONNEN, Thomas Henry

Service Numbers: Officer, SX27908
Enlisted: 15 August 1914, Adelaide, South Australia
Last Rank: Captain
Last Unit: 2nd/4th Infantry Battalion
Born: Hindmarsh, South Australia, 15 February 1887
Home Town: Adelaide, South Australia
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Traveller
Died: Heart attack, Millswood, South Australia, 11 July 1958, aged 71 years
Cemetery: Mitcham Cemetery, S.A.
Memorials: Hindmarsh Division SA Ambulance Transport WW2 Roll of Honour, Hindmarsh Volunteer Fire Brigade Memorial Window, Hindmarsh Way Memorial Methodist Church Honour Roll
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World War 1 Service

15 Aug 1914: Enlisted AIF WW1, Officer, Adelaide, South Australia
24 Mar 1915: Promoted AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant
31 May 1915: Involvement AIF WW1, Lieutenant, Officer, 27th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1
31 May 1915: Embarked AIF WW1, Lieutenant, Officer, 27th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Geelong, Adelaide
10 Apr 1916: Promoted AIF WW1, Captain, 27th Infantry Battalion, Temporary - vice Captain Hansen
23 Jul 1916: Involvement AIF WW1, Captain, Officer, 27th Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières
10 Nov 1916: Wounded AIF WW1, Captain, Officer, 27th Infantry Battalion, 'The Winter Offensive' - Flers/Gueudecourt winter of 1916/17
28 Jun 1918: Discharged AIF WW1, Captain, Officer, 27th Infantry Battalion

World War 2 Service

9 Jan 1942: Enlisted SX27908
9 Jan 1942: Enlisted Captain, SX27908, Keswick, South Australia
17 Feb 1945: Discharged Captain, SX27908, 2nd/4th Infantry Battalion

Help us honour Thomas Henry Lonnen's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.

Biography contributed by Kathleen Bambridge

Son of Thomas Brinton LONNEN and Rosina Maria nee WYATT

Husband of T H LONNEN, Melbourne Place, Alberton, SA

Thomas Henry Lonnen was a serviceman prior to WW1 in the militia. He enlisted for service in WW1 with the 27th Battalion as Transport Officer, and also served in WW2.

On his return from WW1 he entered the printing business as Governing Director of Lonnen & Cope - which in 1926 became Star Printing Works. He also served with the Hindmarsh Fire Brigade, and was Chief Officer with the S. A. Ambulance Transport Service.

He dedicated a lot of his time to the welfare of the men through the Returned Services League in South Australia. He was a founding member of the Prospect, Clarence Park, Westbourne Park, and Edwardstown sub branches.  He served on the State Council of the Returned Services League.

He died at the age of 71 years in 1958.

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Biography contributed by Sharyn Roberts

Contributed by Alison Jessup (Grand-daughter)

Thomas Henry Lonnen joined the Militia in 1906, serving in the 10th A.I.R., 17th A.L.H. and 76th, 81st & 82nd Inf. Bns. attaining the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. In 1915 he volunteered for the A.I.F., was allotted to the 27th Battalion as 2nd Lieutenant and appointed Transport Officer, leaving for active service in May 1915. He served with the 27th Battalion in Egypt, Belgium and France, and was promoted temporary Captain.  He was injured in November 1916 during the Battle of the Somme, returned to Adelaide in October 1917 and his A.I.F. service terminated.

On his return he rejoined the Militia as a Lieutenant and served in several units, including 2/5th Pioneers, 2/48th, 43rd and 48th Bns before being placed on the Reserve of Officers List, 27 Bn. with the rank of Captain.  He was mobilised in March 1940 and served in various appointments before volunteering for the 2nd A.I.F. in January 1943, ultimately being appointed OC 14 Australian Personnel Staging Camp (APSC), Pt Pirie.  He was placed on the retired list in February 1945, retrospectively being appointed temporary Major upon retirement.

Following WW1 he established the printing business of Lonnen & Cope - which in 1926 became Star Printing Works, and with which he was actively involved until his death. He also served with the Hindmarsh Fire Brigade, and was Chief Officer with the S. A. Ambulance Transport Service.

He dedicated a lot of his time to the welfare of the men through the Returned Services League in South Australia. He was a founding member of the Prospect, Clarence Park, Westbourne Park, and Edwardstown sub branches.  He served on the State Council of the Returned Services League.

 He died at the age of 71 years in 1958.

Read more...