O'LEARY, Thomas
| Service Numbers: | 1018, 1018A |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 7 January 1915, Winton, Queensland |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 4th Light Horse Regiment |
| Born: | Maryborough, Queensland, Australia, 26 September 1883 |
| Home Town: | Bundaberg, Bundaberg, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Station hand |
| Died: | Suicide, Townsville, Queensland, Australia, 11 May 1956, aged 72 years |
| Cemetery: |
Townsville (Belgian Gardens) Cemetery, Qld |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 7 Jan 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1018, Winton, Queensland | |
|---|---|---|
| 17 Sep 1915: |
Involvement
AIF WW1, Private, 1018, 11th Light Horse Regiment, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '3' embarkation_place: Brisbane embarkation_ship: HMAT Hymettus embarkation_ship_number: A1 public_note: '' |
|
| 17 Sep 1915: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 1018, 11th Light Horse Regiment, HMAT Hymettus, Brisbane | |
| 4 Apr 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 3rd Light Horse Regiment | |
| 31 Oct 1917: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 1018A, 4th Light Horse Regiment, Battle of Beersheba | |
| 27 May 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 1018A, 4th Light Horse Regiment |
Military Medal : Trooper T O'Leary, 4 Light Horse Regiment, AIF
Thomas O'Leary was born was born at Maryborough, Queensland in 1883. He was working as station hand near Winton, Queensland when he enlisted in the AIF on 7 January 1915.
After initial training he was assigned to 11 Light Horse Regiment as a trooper with the service number 1018, and embarked with the 4th Reinforcements aboard HMAT Hymettus (A1) at Brisbane on 17 September 1915.
O'Leary was transferred through several light horse regiments over the course of 1916, all posted around the Suez Canal Zone. His service record indicates that he did not readily adapt to the discipline of military life. On a number of occasions throughout his service he was charged with offences such as insubordination, drunkenness and being absent without leave.
In March 1917 O'Leary transferred to 4 Light Horse Regiment, and received the new service number of 1018a. His new unit was engaged in rear area security duties in the Suez Canal Zone. In October, O'Leary moved with the regiment into the Sinai desert at the rear of the allied advance into this region.
On 31 October, O'Leary and Trooper A E Healey were ground scouts for 4 Light Horse Regiment during the charge at Beersheba, and were required to gallop 70 to 80 yards (approximately 70 metres) ahead of their squadron during the charge. Both men were awarded the Military Medal (MM) for their actions during this battle. The recommendation for O'Leary's MM reads: 'For special gallantry as ground scout during attack on Beersheba 31.10.17. He galloped well in advance of the attacking squadron and rounded up and held 30 prisoners single handed until arrival of dismounted party. He then galloped forward and assisted in the capture of a field gun.'
About 90 minutes later, O'Leary was found by one of his officers in a side street, seated on this field gun. Six Turkish gunners and drivers were taking turns holding his horse. He explained to his officer that he had made the Turks move the gun into this side street to prevent it being claimed as a trophy by any other regiment.
O'Leary remained with his unit for the remainder of the war, but ill health saw him hospitalised several times throughout 1918, which eventually prompted his return to Australia in February 1919. - https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/REL43757.001
Submitted 3 May 2016 by John Edwards
Biography
Father James O'Leary and Mother Ann Dwyer of Park Street, Bundaberg, Queensland.
Last lived with parents at Bundaberg, QLD.
Described on enlisting as 32 years 4 months old; single; 5' 10 1/2" tall; dark complexion;
blue-grey eyes; black hair; Roman Catholic.
7/1/1915 Enlisted
Completed medical - fit for service
After initial training he was assigned to 11 Light Horse Regiment as a trooper.
17/9/1915 Embarked from Brisbane on board HMAT Hymettus A1
4/4/1916 Taken on strength into 3rd Light Horse Regiment
O'Leary was transferred through several Light Horse Regiments over the course of 1916, all
posted around the Suez Canal Zone. His service record indicates that he did not readily adapt
to the discipline of military life. On a number of occasions throughout his service he was charged
with offences such as insubordination, drunkenness and being absent without leave.
15/1/1917 Taken on strength into 1st Light Horse Regiment - Moascar
3/3/1917 O'Leary transferred to 4 Light Horse Regiment, and received the new service
number of 1018a.
His new unit was engaged in rear area security duties in the Suez Canal Zone.
Oct 1917 O'Leary moved with the regiment into the Sinai desert at the rear of the allied
advance into this region.
3/10/1917 To rest camp - Port Said, Egyptian Expeditionary Forces
23/10/1917 Marched out to unit - Port Said
24/10/1917 Rejoined unit
On 31 October 1917, O'Leary and Trooper A E Healey were ground scouts for the 4th Light
Horse Regiment during the charge at Beersheba, and were required to gallop 70 to 80 yards
(approximately 70 metres) ahead of their squadron during the charge. Both men were awarded
the Military Medal (MM) for their actions during this battle.
The recommendation for O'Leary's MM reads:
'For special gallantry as ground scout during attack on Beersheba 31.10.17.
He galloped well in advance of the attacking squadron and rounded up and held 30 prisoners
single handed until arrival of dismounted party. He then galloped forward and assisted in the
capture of a field gun.'
About 90 minutes later, O'Leary was found by one of his officers in a side street, seated on this
field gun. Six Turkish gunners and drivers were taking turns holding his horse. He explained to
his officer that he had made the Turks move the gun into this side street to prevent it being
claimed as a trophy by any other regiment.
1 & 2/11/1917 Recommended for MILITARY MEDAL
O'Leary remained with his unit for the remainder of the war.
4/1/1918 Awarded MILITARY MEDAL - announced in London Gazette
20/5/1918 Sick - admitted to hospital - Egypt
Ill health saw him hospitalised several times throughout 1918, which eventually prompted his
return to Australia in 1919.
18/2/1919 Returned to Australia on board HMAT Lancashire
4/4/1919 Disembarked into Australia
Medals:
Military Medal; WWI 1914-15 Star (10329); British War Medal (7871); Victory Medal (7797).
27/5/1919 Discharged from service
1919 After returning to Australia, he became a recluse, living alone in a shack on the edge of Townsville.
1956 Trooper O'Leary committed suicide (aged 72 years)
buried in: Paupers grave (stated by the Townsville RSL) Belgian Gardens Cemetery, Townsville
31/10/2013 Exactly 96 years after Trooper Thomas O'Leary won the Military Medal for gallantry in the 1917 Charge of Beersheba, a memorial headstone was dedicated at his grave on Thursday.
The ceremony in Townsville's Belgian Gardens Cemetery was organised by
the RSL to coincide with the Poppy Appeal in the run up to Remembrance Day.
Sourced and submitted by Julianne T Ryan. 7/11/2014. Lest we forget.
Click images to start slideshow.