Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Researched and contributed by Kaye BRILL (granddaughter)

Thomas STANGER, son of Charles Stanger and Elizabeth Jarvis was born 24 March 1898 at 23 Lucas Street, St George in the East, St George North District 25, Middlesex, England; baptised 10 April 1898 in St George in the East Parish, Middlesex, England.

Thomas was second eldest of 6 children (4 boys and 2 girls)

Thomas’ family lived in and around the London Docklands at Goodman’s Fields and Shadwell both of which are within a short walking distance east of the Tower of London.

Thomas worked for the British Merchant Navy before living in Brisbane, Australia. Prior to working for the Merchant Navy, Thomas worked with his father Charles as a Printer at company on Commercial Road, Whitechapel, London (Charles' profession was a letterpress printer).

Thomas was working with the British Merchant Navy during the early part of WW1. My grandmother (Thomas’ wife) told me Thomas ‘jumped ship’ from the British Merchant Navy Ship ‘Diadem’ whilst the ship was in the port of Brisbane, Queensland so he could join the Army.

During WW1, Thomas enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 7 August 1916 at Brisbane, Queensland, serving with 10th Machine Gun Company, Reinforcement 6.

Thomas embarked at Melbourne on 22 December 1916 on board HMAT A34 Persic.

Thomas' older brother Charles John Stanger enlisted in the British Army on 5 August 1914, however Charles was killed in action 1 October 1916 age 20 on the Somme, France. Charles' body was never recovered – his service with the British Army, London Regiment 1st/17th Battalion, Service No. 570354, is commemorated at the Thiepval Memorial, Picardie, France.

Thomas served mainly in France during WW1 returning to Melbourne, Australia 6 September 1919. Thomas was discharged 2 December 1919 Melbourne, Australia.

Thomas was awarded the British War Medal (No 25875) and the Victory Medal (No 24876). He was also awarded the Mercantile Marine War Medal (established in 1919 and awarded by the Board of Trade of the United Kingdom to mariners of the British Mercantile Marine (later renamed the Merchant Navy) for six months or more service at sea during WW1 (evidence not provided - VWMA).

On returning to Australia, Thomas remained in Victoria, relocated to Yallourn in 1920 and commenced working in various jobs for the State Electricity Commission (SEC) in and around the Yallourn Power Station and Briquette Works. Thomas initially lived at one of the Yallourn Tent Camps erected by the SEC to provide accommodation for men working for the company. Thomas also worked as a cook at the SEC East Camp Mess whilst living at that camp. Thomas gained full time employment with the SEC as a labourer and 'telpher' driver on 24 March 1922. Thomas worked for the SEC, Yallourn for 41 years until his retirement in 1963. Thomas’ last role for the SEC from 1946 to 1963 was as an official tour/education guide for the Power Station and Briquette Works.

During weekends, Thomas and his mates travelled the bush tracks by taxi to the local towns’ dance nights; some of the men would stand on the car’s running board as they could not all fit inside the taxi. It was at one Trafalgar dance night that Thomas met his future wife.

At age 26, Thomas married Irene Alice Jane Mitchell age 26, daughter of Charles Bruce Mitchell and Mary Elizabeth Milne, on 13 September 1924 at the Mitchell family home, 31 Seven Mile Road, Trafalgar, Victoria Australia. Irene was born 16 May 1898 at Raymond Island, Paynesville, Victoria, died 4 December 1977 age 79 at Frankston Hospital, Frankston, Victoria.

After his marriage, Thomas and Irene moved into a new house at 11 Maryvale Road, Yallourn; they moved to 44 Banksia Street Yallourn in 1937 only moving to Chelsea in 1963 on Thomas’ retirement. Thomas and Irene had three children Raymond Thomas born 1926 Morwell, died 1983 Geelong; Lauris Irene born 1930 Yallourn, died 2017 South Australia and Ian James born 1934 Yallourn died Euroa 2012.

Thomas loved Ballroom Dancing and with his wife attended many Saturday night dances at the local towns (e.g., Moe, Morwell and Trafalgar), travelling by bus and taking their children who slept snugly on and under adjacent chairs/benches during the dance.

Thomas had many interests and hobbies which included:

- Member Yallourn RSL (Returned Soldier’s League). Thomas travelled to Melbourne most Anzac Days to march with his fellow ANZACs

- Member Moe Masonic lodge (Freemasons)

During WW2, Thomas enlisted in the Australian Army 12th Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps. Service Number V367881; Rank: Private; Based at Yallourn, Victoria; Enlisted: 18 March 1942; Discharged: 22 October 1943. The Volunteer Defence Corps main role in Yallourn was, if need, to defend the Yallourn Power Facilities and Open Cut Mine.

Thomas moved to Chelsea, Victoria after his retirement in March 1963 to be closer to his daughter, Lauris and her children. Thomas died in his sleep after suffering a myocardial infarction (heart attack) on 21 June 1963 age 65 at his home in Chelsea. Thomas’ ashes are interred with his wife Irene at Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Victoria.