TREGENZA, Thomas John Henry
| Service Number: | S48 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 26 June 1940, Wayville, SA |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | 14 Aust. Trg. Coy. |
| Born: | Narracoorte, SA, 11 October 1900 |
| Home Town: | Forest Range, Adelaide Hills, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Truck Driver and Box Maker |
| Died: | Injuries - Road Accident, Mt. Barker Road near the Devil's Elbow, 10 May 1943, aged 42 years |
| Cemetery: |
Centennial Park Cemetery, South Australia Commonwealth War Graves/Path 7/16 Plot B. Row C. Grave 16. |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Forest Range WW2 Memorial |
World War 2 Service
| 26 Jun 1940: | Involvement Sergeant, S48 | |
|---|---|---|
| 26 Jun 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Sergeant, S48, 14 Aust. Trg. Coy., Wayville, SA |
Thomas John Henry Tregenza
Thomas John Henry Tregenza was born at Naracoorte on the 11th October 1900 and worked as a labourer prior to enlisting at Renmark on the 4th June 1917. He nominated his father, Henry Tregenza of Naracoorte, as next of kin. At the date of enlistment Tregenza, gave his age as being 18 years and 7 months. However, he was only 16, according to his Attestation Form signed on the 26th June 1940, when he enlisted to serve in World War Two, but the full circumstances by which he was accepted are not available. It should be said that it was not a unique situation. For example, Alec Campbell was only 16 when he landed on the beach at Gallipoli {Gallipoli: Our last man standing: The extraordinary life of Alec Campbell: Jonathon King page 41}
Tregenza joined the 50th Battalion and left Melbourne on the 4th August 1917 and proceeded overseas to France from Southampton on the 16th January 1918. While in England prior to heading to France, he was hospitalised at Codford from the 3rd to the 21st October 1917.
Throughout his service in France he was hospitalised on three occasions during
1918 due to injuries to his ankle and right arm. Tregenza rejoined his unit on the 19th May, only to be hospitalised again with pyrexia {fever of unknown origin} on the 21st July. He rejoined his unit on the 11th August.
At the cessation of the war Tregenza returned to Australia on board the Plassey and was discharged on the 21st May 1919.
Tregenza also served in World War Two. He died on the 10th May 1943 as a result of injuries sustained in a road accident near Mount Barker.
Submitted 13 October 2023 by christopher collins
Biography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of Henry and Kathleen TREGENZA, Narracoorte, SA
Thomas fought in WW1 and after the war married the widow of one of his Villers-Bretonneux compatriots, Florence Englington nee Edwards. They had three sons. Tom was a truck driver and box maker at Forest Range Fruitgrowers Co-operative between the wars. However soon after World War II was declared he enlisted again. He was given duties in Australia as a motor driver, and promoted to Acting Sergeant. On 10 May 1943 Tom was killed in a driving accident on the Mt. Barker Road near the Devil's Elbow.
Collision on Mt. .Barker Road
SGT. T. J. H. TREGENZA DIES ADELAIDE, Today.-When a motor car he was driving was involved in a collision with cyclist on the Mt. Barker road yesterday, an old soldier, 42 years of age, received severe head in juries, from which he died." He was Sgt Thomas John Henry Tregenza, of Forest Range. The cyclist, Henry Westlej', about 35, munition worker, of Crafers, was on his way to work in the metro politan area. He was admitted to hospital suffering from concussion and a lacerated scalp.
An inquest into the death of Sergeant Thomas John Henry Tregenza will be held in the Coroner's Court at 10 a.m. on Wednesday by the deputy coroner (Mr. F. J. McCann).
Sgt. Tregenza was driving a motor car along the Mount Barker road at Leabrook on May 10 when a bicycle ridden by a man collided with the car. Tregenza died in hospital from injuries on the same day.
Inquest on Soldlier's
Death After Crash
After he had received a police report on the death of Sergeant Thomas John Henry Tregenza, 42, of Forest Range, following a hills smash on Monday, the deputy coroner (Mr. McCann) today de cided to hold an inquest on a date to be fixed.
Allegations that Tregenza had been taken in an ambulance to three hospitals before he was treated will be inquired into. Plain clothes Constable Sutherland prepared the report.
SOLDIER DIES AFTER
CRASH
Alleged Delay in Getting Into Hospital
When the motor car he was driving was involved in a collision with a cyclist about half a mile above the Devil's Elbow, on the Mount Barker road, shortly before 1 a.m. on Monday, a 42-year-old soldier received severe head injuries irom wmcn he died shortly after admission to a military hospital. He was Sgt. Thomas John Henry Tregenza, of Forest Range. The cyclist, Henry Westley, about 35, munition worker, of Crafers, was on his way to work in the metropolitan area when the accident occurred. He was admitted to the Royal Adelaide Hospital suffering from concussion and a lacerated scalp.
Tregenza's injuries were caused by the corner stanchion of the windscreen of the car being pushed against him when the cycle was flung across the bonnet of the car. Although the accident happened shortly before 7 am., and the ambulance carrying the wounded men reached the Royal Adelaide Hospital at 7.45 a.m., Tregenza was not admitted to a military hospital until 8.35 a.m. He was refused admission at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and sent to Wayville military hospital, from which, in turn, he was sent oh to another hospital in the northern metropolitan area.
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