Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Thomas Royal Feltus was born on the 2nd of September 1887 in the Eyre Peninsula and more specifically Streaky Bay. As his father also shared the same name, our Thomas was commonly referred to as Roy in newspapers. One newspaper article dated 9th of September 1914 reported him at his cousin’s wedding.  He enlisted on the 27th of September 1915, and his occupation was a Labourer. His next of kin was his sister, Christina Rose Feltus.

He trained with 2nd Depot Battalion, and was then transferred to the 3rd Light Horse Regiment. During March 1916, he was taken on strength in the 1st Light Horse Reserve Regiment at Heliopolis, Egypt, and then, after a while, he was transferred to artillery duties at Tel-el-Kebir. After departing Alexandria in July 1916, Feltus arrived in England and was mustered as a Shoeing Smith, stationed at Bulford before joining the 5th Divisional Ammunition Column (DAC). He was sent to France in October and briefly served with the 2/5th Field Artillery Brigade (FAB).

Throughout 1917, he was transferred between several artillery units, including the 5th FAB, 3rd DAC, and 8th Battery, 3rd FAB. He was hospitalised twice during that year but returned to duty each time. Feltus went on leave to the UK in December 1917, re-joining his unit at the start of 1918. By the end of that year, he had been promoted to Temporary Farrier Corporal.

In January 1919, he left France for repatriation via the UK, returning to Australia aboard the HMAT Kaiser-i-Hind in May. He was officially discharged from the AIF on 9 September 1919 in South Australia. His wartime service took him across Egypt, England, and the Western Front in France, largely within artillery units.

Most people called Thomas Royal Feltus ‘Roy’ after the war. After World War I, he was released from the Australian Imperial Force and returned to his homeland of Streaky Bay, South Australia, in 1919. He married Evelyn and together they had three children Phyllis, Laurie and Dawn.

Newspaper articles report that he attended his sister Christina's wedding in 1920. He discovered and reported a robbery at the Piednippie Hall, where he later worked as caretaker. In 1938, he further proved his sense of responsibility and public trust. Roy continued to be involved in civic and veteran affairs; in 1948, he was chosen to present the Piednippie Honour Roll, which honoured the Second World War district servicemen and women. In acknowledgment of his long community work, he was given a ceremonial chair that same year. Roy lived in the Streaky Bay region for the remainder of his life until he died in 1974. He was a World War I soldier and is regarded as a loyal and respected member of the community.