CORRY, Thomas Reginald
| Service Numbers: | SX26035, S15781 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 25 July 1940, Alberton, SA |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | Not yet discovered |
| Born: | Alberton, City of Port Adelaide Enfield, South Australia, Australia, 22 April 1920 |
| Home Town: | Not yet discovered |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Apprentice boot repairer with C.J. Young Shoe Co., Hanson Street, Adelaide. |
| Died: | 2 November 2002, aged 82 years, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Privately Cremated Centennial Park |
| Memorials: | Berri Oval "Diver" Derrick VC Memorial Grandstand & Roll of Honour |
World War 2 Service
| 25 Jul 1940: | Involvement Signalman, S15781 | |
|---|---|---|
| 25 Jul 1940: | Involvement Signalman, SX26035 | |
| 25 Jul 1940: | Enlisted Alberton, SA | |
| 25 Jul 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, SX26035 | |
| 21 Feb 1946: | Discharged | |
| 21 Feb 1946: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, SX26035 | |
| Date unknown: | Involvement |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Trevor Pyatt
Biography of Thomas Reginald Corry (1920–2002)
Early Life
Thomas Reginald Corry, known as Tom, was born on 22 April 1920 in Alberton, South Australia.
He was the son of John Baptist Corry and Maggie May (née Tredwin) Danvers. He grew up at the family home in St. Georges Place, Alberton, in the Port Adelaide district. Before the war, Thomas worked as an apprentice boot repairer with C.J. Young Shoe Co., Hanson Street, Adelaide.
Military Service
Thomas enlisted in the Australian Army on 25 July 1940 at Alberton, aged 20 years and 3 months. His enlistment papers describe him as 5'7" tall, with brown hair, brown eyes, and a small brown birthmark on his upper lip. He listed his father, John Baptist Corry, as next of kin.
Army Number: SX26035 (previously S15781 in militia records)
Unit: Signals – 19 Brigade Signal Section, Australian Imperial Force (AIF).
Religion: Protestant
Service Record Highlights
Began with militia service in Aust. Sigs, 4th M.D. before transferring to the AIF.
Served both in Australia and overseas, embarking for New Guinea in October 1944.
Worked as a Signal Operator (Group II) and later was graded in Operator duties.
He was noted for his service at Bongilla, Vic L of C (Line of Communication) Area, and with the 19th Brigade Signal Section.
He served a total of 1,652 days, comprising 1,005 days in Australia and 647 days overseas.
Awarded a War Badge (Class A, No. 280444).
Officially discharged on 21 February 1946 at the age of 25, with the rank of Signalman.
Marriage and Family
After returning from the war, Thomas became engaged to Joan Ruby Lambert in 1948. They married on 26 November 1949 at St. George's Church of England, Alberton. Joan was born on 29 April 1924 in Queenstown, the daughter of Edward Arthur Lambert and Ruby Havelock. She predeceased Thomas, passing away on 17 January 1997.
Later Life
Thomas and Joan lived in South Australia, and later Thomas resided at Cape Jervis. He was remembered by his community and family as a man shaped by his wartime experiences, with a life spanning over eight decades.
Death and Cremation
Thomas Reginald Corry passed away on 2 November 2002, aged 82.
He was cremated at Centennial Park Cemetery, Adelaide, on 6 November 2002.
Biography by Trevor Pyatt 18/08/2025