Thomas O'LEARY MM

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:
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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.

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