Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Born in the thriving city of Ballarat in Victoria on the 7th January, 1919 Thomas Vincent (Tom) was one of four boys born to Margaret Mary and Leslie James McMullin. He had three brothers, Leslie James (Mac), Stanley Joseph (Stan) and Kevin Francis. Their father was initially an employee of the railways, then later turned his hand to politics.
Prior to Tom’s birth a quite unusual theft occurred, when his mother Margaret attended a picture theatre at the Ballarat Coliseum with her baby son Leslie. She left the baby carry pram outside, as was the custom, to find when she returned at the conclusion of the film, it had been stolen. Fortunately, the pram was quite distinctive, so the thief was later apprehended and the pram returned. The thief’s excuse for taking the pram was that “it was raining heavily when she came out of the hall, and, seeing the perambulator, she put her baby in it and wheeled it home. Defendant, in answer to the charge, said she was sorry for what she had done, and- desired the bench to deal with the case. A fine of £1 was imposed, with the alternative of seven days' imprisonment.”
The McMullin family moved to live in Adelaide but it was a challenging time, with their father, Leslie Snr being fined, along with his brother George, for taking illegal bets at the Saracen's Head Hotel in Adelaide for another bookmaker in ‘26. A hefty fine followed. The troubled marriage faltered with Leslie eventually being taken to court and a separation granted in ‘28, with Margaret being awarded custody of the four boys and to receive maintenance from Leslie Snr. This however, continued to be in arrears in the ensuing years until an inevitable divorce was granted in January ’47.
Despite the constant struggle to bring up her sons, life continued to challenge Margaret. In tragic circumstances, Tom’s 20-year-old brother Leslie died on the 29th May 1938. The Advertiser carried the terrible news that ‘Leslie James McMullin, 20, of Burgan street, Broadview, was found dead in an outhouse near a barber's shop on the Irish Harp road, Enfield. about 5 p.m. yesterday. Dr G. de Crespeny pronounced life extinct and the body was removed by a civil ambulance to the morgue. The dead man was subject to fits, as the result of an accident some years ago. Constable Siebert of Prospect is preparing a report for the Coroner Mr. Blackburn.’ Leslie was buried in the Catholic Cemetery at West Terrace. His mother, brothers and friends remembered this young man who died so young.
Advertiser Saturday 20 May 1939 McMULLIN.—In loving memory of Les. "Mac." who passed away on the 20th of May, 1938. Thoughts return to days gone past. Time moves on. but memories last. —Inserted by his friends. Mr. and Mrs. G. May and family. McMULLIN.—In loving memory of our dear Leslie, who passed away on the 20th of May, 1938. Deep In our hearts there is always a memory. Of you. we will never forget. —Inserted by his loving mother and Brothers McMULLIN.—In loving memory of Les., who died on the 20th of May. 1938. Fondest memories. —Molly Stevens.
Less than two years later, Tom enlisted at Kensington just days prior to his 21st birthday on January 2nd, 1940. Post school, Tom had worked at James Smith Furniture, Furnishing and Manchester Emporium in Hindley Street, Adelaide, earning a regular wage but the pressure for young men to enlist and serve their country took him to Kensington to join so many other young men. He was assigned the number SX13102 and was allocated to the 2/48th Battalion. The following year his brother, Stanley Joseph (Stan) enlisted on the 10th May ’41 and was also allocated to the 2/48th as SX12662. Stan survived the war and was discharged in February ’45. Youngest brother Kevin Francis enlisted in the RAAF becoming a Leading Aircraftman number 152344 and also survived the war, being discharged in May ’46. Tom was sent to the Middle East and was involved in the fierce fighting to retain the strategically important area. The dust, flies, heat, minimal water supplies and constant bombardment were quite a challenge to new enlistees. He was to become one of the famed Rats of Tobruk.
Conditions were ever-changing and the fighting relentless. Aged 23, Tom was killed in action on 31st October, ’42. The 9th Battalion was ordered to attack northward in what was to be relentless fighting in a massive assault to ambitiously take the strategic position of Trig 29. In his book ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’ John Glenn describes that time “which was to be the most bitter and bloody fighting of the war. When next the sun drove away those shadows from the desert, death would have reaped a rich harvest of gallant men. And of the 2/48th Battalion only forty-one weary troops would remain in the field.” He continued: “At zero hour, 1 a.m. 31st October, the artillery opened up with a receding barrage – one that creeps back on itself. The attack was towards the guns themselves, the enemy being between the troops and the guns… Added to this, the troops came under heavy shell fire as they were forming up, and suffered casualties before they commenced their attack… One gun was landing shells right amongst the men. As soon as the main road was reached the two leading companies came under murderous fire, and from then until they reached their objective, 2,250 yards from the start line, the whole advance was fought in fierce hand-to-hand fighting.”
His final summing up was ‘Truly it can be said of these men, “They fought themselves and their enemy to a standstill until flesh and blood could stand no more, then they went on fighting.” In added high praise about those who tended the wounded and collected those killed in action “It says much for them that not one man was missing in their search over the four thousand yards from Trig 29 to the Blockhouse, or in the attack of 3,600 yards to Ring Contour 25.” An horrific battle for the proud and very brave 2/48th Battalion.
The Advertiser carried the news that ‘Mrs. M. M. McMullin, of North Adelaide, has been informed that her son. Pte. T. V. McMullin, 23. was killed in action in Egypt on October 31. Before enlisting with the AIF. Pte. McMullin was employed at the James Smith Furnishing Emporium. A younger brother is with the AIF abroad.’
The Advertiser published a list in November of those killed at the same time as Tom. They included Killed In Action SX11133 Pte. Gordon J. Bowden. 2/48th North Adelaide. SX7296 Cpl. Roland Bryant. 2/48th . Seacliff. SX7000 A-Cpl. Paul W. Cashen. 2/48th Mile End. SX4129 Pte. Alfred J. Clarke. 2/48th South Plympton. 5X6913 Pte. E. V. Lipson. Inf. Semaphore SX2328 Cpl. Percival C. Millowick, 2/43rd. Glencoe West. SX6775 Pte. Vincent deP. McGahan. 2/48th Glenelg. SX13102 Pte. Thomas V. McMullin. 2/48th North Adelaide. SX13717 Pte. Robert C. Neilson 2/43rd Norwood. SX10522 Pte. Murray T. Nicholson 2/48th Prospect. SX8143 Pte Harry S. Searle. 2/48th Died of Wounds. — SX8979 Cpt. Bryan J. Hemmings, 2/43rd Kalangadoo; SX15837 Pte. Richard D. Hill. 2/43rd Whyalla. Believed Killed SX13512 Pte. Charles E. Dolling. 2/48th Wokurna.
Initially buried in the British Military Cemetery at El Alamein, Tom was later reburied on the 14th March, ’45 and is now commemorated at the El Alamein War Cemetery in Plot A II. Row C Grave 8. He rests with SX6963, Private Ronald Jackson, WX10432 Corporal John Hamilton, SX7700 Lance Sergeant Frank Hale, SX8113 Private Michael Riley, SX8113 Private Ronald Grist and WX14061 Private Andrew Warner all from the 2/48th Battalion and killed at a similar time to Tom. His mother chose the inscription ‘Sacred Heart of Jesus, have Mercy on his Soul’ for his headstone. He is also remembered on his mother’s and brothers’ graves in the West Terrace Cemetery.
His mother, siblings and friends continued to remember Tom in the ensuing years.
Advertiser Tuesday 15 December 1942, MRS. M. McMullin and family thank all kind friends and relatives for expressions sympathy in the sad loss of their son and brother Tom, killed in action in Egypt, Oct. 31. Please accept this as a personal expression of gratitude.
Advertiser Tuesday 24 November 1942, McMULLIN.—A loving tribute to our dear friend, "Tom." killed in action in Egypt on October 31.—Inserted by Mr and Mrs. Smith and family. McMULLIN.—In loving memory of Tom, killed in action in Egypt October 31 1942. Ever remembered by Mr. and Mrs. Bert Badenoch. McMULLIN.—A loving tribute to the memory of Tom, killed in action in Egypt October 31 1942. Ever remembered by his dearly loved friend Shirley. McMULLIN.—A tribute of remembrance to Tom, killed in action In Egypt October 31 1942. We will remember him. — Gwen, Lionel, and Julie Badenoch.
Advertiser Tuesday 31 October 1944, McMULLIN—ln loving memory of my dearly loved son Tom. killed in action El Alamein October 31 1942 2/48th Bn. It is not the tears at the moment shed that tell of the heart that Is torn, but the loneliness in after years, and the sadness silently borne—Always remembered by his mother. RIP. McMULLIN.—In loving memory of dear Tom, killed in action El Alamein, October 1942. Gone from us his smiling face, his loving, cheerful ways: the heart that won so many friends in happy, bygone days.—Remembered always by his brothers, Stanley (A.1.F.) and Kevin (R.A.A.F). R.I.P. McMULLIN.—In loving memory of dear Tom, killed in action El Alamein. October 31. 1942. Beneath the Cross of Sacrifice in a soldier's grave, his comrades laid him down to rest among the honored brave.—Ever remembered by Evelyn and Tom Skewes and family. McMULLIN.—In loving memory of Tom, killed in action El Alamein, October 31. 1942. Too dear a pal to ever be forgotten by Jose. Barry IR-&.H.I. Norma and Fred. MCMULLIN. —In remembrance of Tom, who made his supreme sacrifice at El Alamein on October 31, 1942. He gave his life for those he loved and left us to remember. —Inserted by his loving brother Stan (A.I.F) and sister-in-law Joyce. McMULLlN.—Fondest memories of Tom, killed in action. October 31. 1942. —Always remembered by M. Smith and family. Sussex street.
Advertiser Thursday 31 October 1946,. McMULLIN. —In loving memory of my dear son Tom, killed in action. El Alamein October 31. He lies across the ocean, amongst Australian brave: may God help us to be worthy of the sacrifice he made. —Always remembered by mother, brothers Kev and Stan, sister-in-law Joyce. McMULLIN.—In memory of dear Tom. killed In action, El Alamein, October 31. 1942. The road we call remembrance, Where thoughts and wishes meet, We take that road in thought today, To one we cannot meet. Inserted by Mr. and Mrs. Bishop and In loving memory of Eric killed in action. El Alamein. Oct. 31 1942. A thought for today. a memory for ever.—Mother, father, and sister.
Tom’s mother, Margaret died on the 31st March 1958, several years after peace was declared. She was interred with her 20-year-old son, Leslie in the West Terrace Cemetery. Less than six years later her remaining two sons both died in 1964. Stanley Joseph, aged 43 on the 17th July and Kevin Francis on the 11th November. All now are remembered together at the Catholic Section of West Terrace cemetery Row F, Site 127.
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Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes, SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.