Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Thomas (‘Tom’) was born on the 10th January 1914 in Ardrossan, the oldest son of Harold Thomas and Beatrice Emma Selina Bowman and the third of seven children. Tom’s siblings included Dulcie Helen, Eunice Fern (Judy), Rex, Jeffrey, Mervyn (‘Bill’) and Shylie.
The family initially lived in Ardrossan a coastal, farming town on the Yorke Peninsula of South Australia, also home to a dolomite mine and deepwater port. They resided close to the sea, which became the children’s ‘second home’. As was typical of those times, the boys slept in the enclosed verandah and the dining table doubled as the place to do and share homework and to chat while enjoying afternoon tea with freshly baked scones. Entertainment frequently focussed around a wireless or the piano where singsongs were a feature.
Tom and Dulcie inevitably became the ‘responsible leaders’ of their siblings. Coincidentally, Tom also became good friends with Syd Wundersitz who in later years was to become Dulcie’s fiancé and husband. The boys enjoyed golf, cars, rowing, swimming and high diving from the grain transport ketches moored in the port.
The children attended the local Ardrossan School, where Tom obtained his Qualifying Certificate in Year 7 and was also awarded a Woodwork Certificate, having completed the two-year requirements in just one year. That year, 1928 the Mothers’ Club gave students and teachers a ‘Break-up Party’ in the Institute Hall where a combination of rhythm exercises and Christmas Carols were shared. Aged fourteen Tom gained a bursary to attended St Peter’s College in Adelaide as a boarder. His application was generously supported by his Ardrossan Headmaster who praised Tom’s “good character, amiable disposition and industrious habits.” Similarly, the Anglican Pastor also wrote in support. While at the College, Tom continued to enjoy water spots including rowing.
The growing effect of the Depression years contributed to Tom returning to Ardrossan after a year, completing his education locally. (Ironically, Tom became close friends with a fellow student at St Peter’s, Paul Willoughby who joined the RAAF in September ‘41 as 416816, becoming a Flight Lieutenant. 30-year-old Paul died in an accident in the United Kingdom three years after enlisting. Both young men are now commemorated on the Honour Roll at St Peter’s.)
Post school, Tom worked as a farmhand on properties at nearby Price and Dowlingvale. He also became a competent tractor driver, helping on delivery runs for the local baker, plus cutting and delivering wood to homes. In ’34, Tom and Dulcie were both active in raising funds for the Ardrossan and Districts Hospital being part of a group with an orchestra, chorus and ballet girls.
Tom’s long-term aim was to become a farmer, later making the decision to move to Cummins on the West Coast. (This also proved to be an important move as he met a young teacher at Edillilie, Mary Iloe Moyle from Clare. She had also taught at the Hill River School in the 30’s where she was praised for her coordination of the School’s Band in which 16 of her students were involved.) By July 1940 Mary made the difficult decision to leave teaching at Edillilie to care for her sick father back home in Clare. At a similar time, Tom decided to enlist knowing that it would cause physical separations in their relationship. A farewell was organised for the young couple, with dancing and several recitations. During the evening, Tom was also presented with a shaving outfit.
By this time Tom’s oldest sister, Dulcie had married and had her first child, a daughter, Jo Wundersitz. (Jo later became the family researcher and historian.) Within a short time, three of Dulcie’s brothers had enlisted and her youngest sister, Shylie became a Land-Army girl helping with agricultural production, then a telephonist. The Bowman family (much reduced) then moved to live on the Wundersitz’s farm at Maitland where Harold Bowman provided extra essential support to keep the farm running. The brothers could all have argued that they were part of the ‘essential services’ as trainee farmers, but in those times, patriotism was a stronger influence.
22-year-old Jeff Hilton, the middle son, was the first to enlist in June ’40 as SX5164 and was allocated to the 2/5th serving in Bombay, the Middle East and New Guinea. He rose to the rank of Corporal. Later, despite being in Palestine at a similar time to Tom, communication was slow and they missed each other by just two days.
Dulcie attempting to discourage her other brothers from enlisting, writing to Tom and Rex, with a clear warning. ‘Now when you arrive in town – be careful – these recruiting officers may rush up to you and say, ‘Just come in old chap and have a drink’. They cart you into the nearest bar and when you’re quite ‘blotto’ they trot you along to the recruiting office and before you know what’s what you’ve signed someone else’s name on the dotted line and you come out – a bloomin’ soldier, big boots, bayonet and all.’ Her words were disregarded as 26-year-old Tom was the next to be accepted on the 20th July 1940 and was allocated the number SX9327.
Aged 24 Rex Clarence was the third of the brothers to enlist on the 7th December ’40. He became Flight Sergeant 407636 and served in New Guinea. He survived the war and was discharged in January ’46.
The fourth and final son to enlist was 22-year-old Mervyn Banks in September ‘42 as SX26859, serving in the 27th Battalion SASR in Darwin and Queensland. He became an unarmed combat instructor with the rank of Corporal, being discharged in December ’44. That same year, Dulcie’s 36-year-old farmer husband, Sydney Wundersitz also enlisted as S73664 on the 28th April, in the 7th Battalion of the Volunteer Defence Corps.
Tom’s early training was in the Adelaide Parklands with the enlistees housed in the Motor Pavilion at the (now) Royal Adelaide Show Grounds. Intensive training at Woodside in the Adelaide Hills followed. Sadly, Mary Moyle’s’s father died in September 1940, causing the young couple to seriously debate marrying prior to Tom heading overseas or to wait until he returned. Tom had obviously also sounded out ‘old’ diggers and ‘the majority of them have been against it.’ However, he and Mary decided to marry, announcing their engagement on the 9th November ‘40 and marrying on the 16th. They stayed at the Majestic Hotel in Adelaide before honeymooning at Pt Elliot.
Tom was quickly identified as having leadership potential in the army, within five months being promoted to Acting Corporal, then almost immediately as Acting Sergeant. In January ’41 he was hospitalised before returning to training with the 2/48th Battalion whist undertaking a map reading course and was eventually allocated to the 26th Brigade, D Company, 18th Platoon. He then moved to the Victorian Bonagilla Camp, increasing his military knowledge.
A tribute to the quality of his leadership was evident in the personal report Tom received in April that year where his career was clearly laid out as being a Platoon Commander. He was praised for being an ‘excellent weapon training instructor’ and ‘quietly efficient with good judgement’, a soldier who had ‘worked hard and assimilated knowledge well’. High praise indeed. By May he and Mary were staying at ‘Hume House’ in Dean Street, until Tom’s course was finished.
The final stage of Tom’s training was back at the Woodside Training Camp where Tom and Mary shared accommodation in nearby Bridgewater along with Ted and Peg Warburton and their baby, Ridgeway. By July ’41, Tom’s leadership skills were again highlighted, being appointed Lieutenant, with the 2/10th Battalion leaving Melbourne to join the 2/48th Battalion the following month. He arrived in the Middle East in October. There, he attended Officer School but was always fascinated by local farming practices he observed.
While at the Regiment Officers’ School in January 1942, Tom visited a Trappist Monastery overlooking their camp. He was quite surprised at the grounds and buildings which included an Electric Light plant, huge wine cellar (grapes from their own vineyards), four-mills, dairy, and vegetable gardens. It seemed strange that the (predominantly French) monks were content to shut themselves away from the world for the rest of their lives. For Tom, his world revolved around Mary.
As did so many of the Australian soldiers when on leave, Tom visited many Biblical towns in April. These included Gaza, Beersheba, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Ramallah, Nazareth and Tel Aviv. Naturally, as a farming man, he closely observed the countryside, environment and use of animals, comparing these with ‘back home’. He was particularly interested in the harvesting methods used by Arabs in Palestine who had started on the barley. He observed women did the majority of the physical work, pulling the crop out in handfuls or cutting with a small sickle before laying it in heaps then carrying huge bundles on the women’s heads to a large dump. After winnowing the chaff and straw was carted by camels to pits to be stored for summer. Tom also saw camel-drawn ploughs on small, unfenced holdings and young children as shepherds tending the goats and sheep all day. A further observation was of the treatment of horses, (better than wives), whist other owners had little regard for their skinny animals.
Joyous news arrived celebrating the arrival of Tom’s daughter, Meredith on April 11th ’42. The Advertiser carried the welcome announcement ‘BOWMAN (nee Mary Moyle). —On April 11, at the Clare District Hospital, to the wife of Lieutenant T. H. Bowman (A.I.F., abroad) —a daughter.’ It was fortunate that Meredith was born while Tom and Ted were still at the Intelligence School in Palestine and they were able to hugely celebrate the occasion of the birth together.
Conditions in the Middle East were severe and almost inevitably, Tom contracted sandfly fever in May before returning to Officer School.
It was widely known that Tom always carried a framed photo of Mary in his tent and a smaller one with him at the battlefront. His Batman, Doug , well aware of the importance of the photo, rescued it when Tom’s tent blew down during a storm and would also decorate it with native flowers, plus replace the frame when the original was destroyed.
John Glenn in ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’ gave an insight into the conditions on the fateful night of October 25th, where in the fading light, two German commanding officers were captured from a forward patrol around Trig 29. The maps they were carrying proved invaluable, showing no mines in the area under which the battalion was advancing. Peter Dornan in ‘The Last Man Standing’ described the same action– Exactly at midnight the artillery began firing to give D and A companies an opportunity to move forward. D Company had to ‘fight every inch of the way’ to get to the first 823metre objective. Herb Ashby pointed out that Platoons 16, 17 and Tom’s platoon 18 had encountered very heavy resistance while trying to get through entrenched enemy outposts.
However, Glenn recorded the 2/48th in the early hours of the 26th October, advanced on the German held Trig 29 under heavy mortar and artillery fire. Private Jack Ralla recalled the earth-shattering noise, commenting that “As much as you felt like going to ground you just kept plugging on. I kept thinking the next shell could have my number on it. You could smell them gong past.” Darren Paech in Adelaide to Alamein documented how ‘D Company managed to destroy the machine gun post that was holding up its advance, but not before two of the remaining platoon commanders were hit. Lieutenant Thomas Bowman had been fatally wounded, and Lieutenant William Byrne had been hit badly in the leg.’
It was sometime after 12am and before 2am Tom was killed during this stage of action. Glenn added that ‘The enemy, who certainly paid dearly for their stubborn resistance, took a heavy toll of both companies. Lieutenant T Bowman, who had been badly hit, died soon after.’ Herb Ashby (‘Last Man Standing’) also related that two of his platoon were wounded … ‘such were the hostilities that the other two platoons, 16 and 18, lost their commanding officers. Captain Robbins became the only remaining officer of D company.’
The 12th November issue of the Chronicle carried news of the troops. The 2/48th Battalion sustained many injuries, including Died Of Wounds.— SX6893 Pte. Leslie C. Cutchie, Brompton Park; Wounded In Action.— SX9327 Lt. Thomas H. Bowman, SX7093 Cpl. Norman L. Badman, Pinnaroo; SX11069 Pte. Stanley J. Crowell, Price; SX9093 SX715O L/Cpl. Geoffrey Gardner, Bordertown; SX 12741 Pte. Jack Hoey, Kadina, Pte. Ross. E. Hoskin, Kilkenny; SX11135 Pte, James N. Jarvis, Kent Town; SX8268 Cp! William K Mackay, Snowtown; SX7669 Pte. William Miller, Booleroo Centre; SX11753 Pte. Terrence C. O'Connor, Adelaide:: SX7328 Cpl. Hugh Paton, Alma: SX13763 SX13763 Pte. Eric. K. Reynolds, Novar Gardens;- SX5991 Pte. Stanley G. Smith: Croydon Park; SX7311 Pte. Rayner R. Stagg, Tarcowie; SX8539 Pte. Edward. J. . Young, Morgan Dangerously Wounded.—SX13191 Pte. William R. Bowd, Dartmoor.
Mary had just arrived back in Clare on the night of November 2nd 1942 having visited Tom’s family on Yorke Peninsula. A cable arrived stating ‘I regret to inform you that SX9327 Lieut. T.H. Bowman has been wounded in action. No date given. The Minister for Army extends sincere sympathy.’ Minister for Army Records Office, Wayville.
A version of the news was shared in the Clare ‘Northern Argus on the 13th.November ‘42 ‘Mrs. T. H. Bowman, of Clare (formerly Miss Mary Moyle) has received advice that her husband (Lieut T. H. Bowman) formerly of Ardrossan, has been wounded in action in Egypt. He is the eldest of four sons of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Bowman of Ardrossan. He had been serving for 2 years with the A.I.F., having enlisted in 1940, and leaving for service overseas in 1941. Two brothers are serving with the A.I.F. also, and one brother is in the R.A.A.F.’
On the day of their second wedding anniversary (November 16th 1942), Mary received an official cable revealing that Tom was missing believed wounded. Just a month later, the Advertiser on the 5th December announced that ‘Mrs. T. H. Bowman, of Clare, whose husband, Lt. T. H. Bowman, was formerly reported missing, believed wounded, has received advice that he is missing, believed killed, on October 26, in Egypt. Lt. Bowman is the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Bowman, of Ardrossan.’
In January ’43 a letter dated November 21st 1942 was sent to Mary from Lt. Col. H. H. Hammer (Commanding Officer of the 2/48th) outlining what he believed to be the circumstances of Tom’s death. As much as was possible to be accurate in the throes of battle, Hammer recorded that Tom “was badly wounded in this action; two or three men remaining with him during this period. One or two of the men were subsequently killed and the only remaining evidence of circumstances of his reported death are two men who were with him reported that he died while they were attending to him: neither of them actually removing his identity disc, although his red disc was later found tied to his steel helmet – the normal procedure in the case of personnel killed in action.
“It was also reported that Tom was buried but it has been difficult to get definite information because of the intense action in which the battalion was involved over those few days. Later, searches were made to recover his grave, but we were unable to locate it because of the tremendous amount of traffic that passed over that area several days later and obliterated all traces of the place where he was buried. Tom had a high sense of duty and was liked and respected by his men and all who came in contact with him and we miss him very greatly indeed.”
In the heat of battle, it was challenging for soldiers to ensure their own survival, plus to know of their fellow mate’s condition and if they fell, where that occurred. A Court of Enquiry was held in March ’43 at Camp Beit Jirja to examine the circumstances of those who were missing, believe killed – including Tom. At the time, the Division had lost 1225 men at El Alamein with more than half being killed in the last 12 days. Of the 2/48th Battalion 93 had been either killed or died of wounds; 7 were missing and 154 had been wounded. By the 24th April ’44 it was officially reported that ‘SX9327 Lieut. T.H. Bowman in their opinion was wounded in action and died of wounds, presumed to be dead.
Finally, the May ’44 edition of the Advertiser officially published the unwanted news that ‘Mrs. T. H. Bowman, of Clare, has received final advice that her husband, Lt. T. H. Bowman, who was previously reported missing, believed killed, is now presumed to have lost his life on October 26, 1942, at El Alamein. Lt. Bowman was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Bowman, of Ardrossan.’
Stories filtered through from fellow members of the 2/48th recounting the high regard in which Tom was held, citing stories of his leadership and bravery. SX17095 Cliff Bowman, 2/48th reinforcements recounted Tom clearing mines ahead of his men moving into the area. Others told of his patrols which penetrated deep into enemy positions, gaining invaluable intelligence.
Harold Linke, SX8354, gathered as much information as possible about the attack, believing that a piece of shrapnel from a shell penetrated Tom’s back, and a soldier stayed with him, with the others having to continue the attack. Tom’s acting batman, Sam Vivian SX8204 and SX8344 Sgt Ron Ide were the most likely to have been with Tom when he died. However, both were subsequently killed just days later on the 31st October and unable to provide detail of Tom’s wounding and death. The men were devastated to lose their popular and highly admired leader.
Many years later, an enquiry at a 2/48th reunion elicited a response from SX11122 Bill McEvoy in ’98 that Tom “was wounded and in the space of a few minutes was blown to pieces by a direct hit from an artillery shell. There was no significant part of his body left to bury, hence that is the reason he has no grave.”
In July ’89 Mary applied for Tom’s medals, the 1939/45 Star, African Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal. The heartrending reason given by Mary for her entitlement was that she “wished to present these medals to my (and Tom’s) grandson, who has just turned 18 and this year attended the Anzac Day Dawn Service – Alone.’
Tom’s service is remembered on Column 93 the Alamein Memorial Monument at El Alamein (Land Forces). His name appears with WX8898 Lieutenant William Lawson Laird and SX7877 Lance Corporal Blake Hunphreys McInnes of the 2/48th Battalion. They were just three of 11861 casualties.
In the years after the revelation of Tom’s death, family and friends continued to remember this highly respected and loved young father who never met his first daughter or returned to his new wife.
Advertiser Thursday 26 October 1944, BOWMAN, Lieut. T. H. —In proud and loving memory of our husband and father, who made the supreme sacrifice at El Alamein on October 26, 1942. — Mary and Meredith. BOWMAN. —In loving memory of our dear son, Lieut. Thomas Bowman, who paid the supreme sacrifice at El Alamein on October 26, 1942. —Inserted by his loving parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Bowman, Ardrossan. BOWMAN. —In memory of our dear brother Lieut. T. H. Bowman, who made the supreme sacrifice October 26, 1942, at El Alamein. —Inserted by Merv, (A.I.F.) and Olga. BOWMAN, Lieut. T. H., 2/48th Batt. — A token of remembrance to our brother Tom, who paid the supreme sacrifice, El Alamein, October 26, 1942. —Inserted by Rex (R.A.A.F.) and Jeff (A.I.F.) BOWMAN. —A proud tribute to the memory of our dear brother, Lieut. Tom Bowman, who made the supreme sacrifice at El Alamein, October 26, 1942. — Dulc. and Syd. Wundersitz. BOWMAN, Lieut. Tom. —In proud and loving memory of my dear brother, who paid the supreme sacrifice, El Alamein, October 26, 1942. —Inserted by Shylie. BOWMAN. —In loving memory of our dear brother, Lieut. Tom Bowman, who made the supreme sacrifice on October 26, 1942, at El Alamein. —Judy and Ike Adams. BOWMAN. —In loving memory of Tom, who made the supreme sacrifice at El Alamein on October 26, 1942. —Ever remembered by Les and Kath. BOWMAN. —In loving memory of Tom, who gave his life at El Alamein on October 26, 1942. —Always remembered by Ada and Reg. BOWMAN. —In loving memory of Tom, who sacrificed his life at El Alamein on October 26, 1942. Greater love hath no man than this. —Inserted by Aileen, Eric (R.A.A.F.), Colin and Molly. BOWMAN. Lieut. T H. —In fond memory of Tom, killed at El Alamein October 26, 1942. His sacrifice will be ever remembered by Olive, Leon, and Ralph Parker. BOWMAN, Lieut. T. H., died of wounds, El Alamein, October 26, 1942. A leaf of the Book of Memory is sadly turned today. —Inserted by Stella and Bert.
Advertiser Friday 26 October BOWMAN, Lieut. T. H. — In fond memory of our dear husband and daddy., who sacrificed his life at El Alamein on October 26, 1942. — Mary and Meredith. BOWMAN. — In loving memory of our dear son, Lieut. T. H. Bowman, who made the supreme sacrifice at El Alamein, October 26, 1942. — Mother and father. BOWMAN. Lieut. T. H. — In loving memory of our dear brother Tom, who made the supreme sacrifice at El Alamein, October 26, 1942. — Ever remembered by his sisters and brothers. BOWMAN. — In loving memory of Tom. who laid down his life at El Alamein on October 26, 1942. — Proudly remembered by Eric, Aileen, Colin and Molly. BOWMAN. — In loving memory of Tom, who made the supreme sacrifice at El Alamein on October 26, 1942. Always remembered. — Ada and Reg. BOWMAN. — In memory of Lt. Thomas H., who made the supreme sacrifice at El Alamein, October 26. 1942. — Fondly remembered by Olive, Leon and Ralph Parker. BOWMAN. Lt. T. H. — In fond memory of Tom, who made the supreme sacrifice, October 26, 1942. — Always remember by Bert and Stella. BOWMAN, Lieut. T. H. — In loving memory of Tom, who died at El Alamein on October 26, 1942. — Ever remembered by Les and Kath.
Advertiser Saturday 26 October 1946, BOWMAN, Lieut. T. H. — In proud and loving memory of our dear son, who made the supreme sacrifice at El Alamein on October 26. 1942. — Inserted by his loving parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Bowman, Ardrossan. BOWMAN, Lieut. T. H. — In loving memory of our dear brother, who made the supreme sacrifice at El Alamein on October 26, 1942 — Inserted by his brothers and sisters. BOWMAN, Lieut. T. H., 2/48th Battalion. — Always remembered by Eric, Aileen, Colin and Molly. BOWMAN, Lieut. T. H. — In fond remembrance of our husband and father, who died at El Alamein. — Mary and Meredith. BOWMAN, Lieut. T. H. — In memory of our friend Tom, who paid the supreme sacrifice on October 26. 1942. — Inserted by Bert and Stella. BOWMAN, Lieut. T. H. —In loving memory of Tom who made the supreme sacrifice at El Alamein on October 25, 1942 —Ever remembered by Ada and Reg.
Advertiser Saturday 25 October 1947, BOWMAN. —In loving memory of Tom. who died at El Alamein. 1942.—Eric and Aileen. BOWMAN.—A tribute to our brother, Lt. T. H. Bowman, who made the supreme sacrifice at El Alamein on October 26, 1942.—Ever remembered by his sisters and brothers. BOWMAN. Lt. T. H.—ln loving memory of our son Tom, who gave his life at El Alamein on October 26. 1947.—Mother and father. BOWMAN. Lt- T. H.—ln fond remembrance of our husband and daddy, who died ai. El Alamein, October 26. 1942.— Mary and Meredith. BOWMAN. Li. T. H.—ln fond remembrance of Tom, who made the supreme sacrifice on October 26, 1942. at El Alamein.—Ever remembered by Olive. Leon and. Ralph.
Advertiser Tuesday 26 October 1948, BOWMAN. —In loving memory of Tom, who made the supreme sacrifice at El Alamein on Oct. 26, 1942. — Always remembered by Reg and Ada. BOWMAN, Lieut. T. H.. 2/48th Btn.—ln loving memory of our dear son and brother, Tom, who paid the supreme sacrifice at El Alamein, Oct. 26, 1942.—Inserted by father, mother, brothers and sisters. BOWMAN. Lt. T. H-—ln fond memory of our husband and father, who died at El Alamein.—Mary and Meredith.
Advertiser Wednesday 26 October 1949, BOWMAN. Lieut. T. H.-In loving memory of Tom, who paid she supreme sacrifice at El Alamein Oct. 26 1942 —Sadly missed by father, mother, sisters and brothers. BOWMAN. Lieut. T. H.-In loving memory of Tom, Inserted by Mary and Meredith.
Advertiser Thursday 26 October 1950, BOWMAN. Lieut. T. H.— In. loving memory of Tom. who paid the supreme sacrifice at El Alamein. October 26, 1942. — Ever remembered by father, mother, brothers and sisters.
Advertiser Friday 26 October 1951 BOWMAN. Lieut. T. H. 2/48 Bn. — In loving memory of Tom, who paid the supreme sacrifice at El Alamein, October 26. 1942. — Ever remembered by father, mother, sisters and brothers.
Advertiser Saturday 25 October 1952, BOWMAN. Lieut. T. H.— In loving memory of Tom. who paid supreme sacrifice at El Alamein, October 26. 1942— Inserted by father, mother, sisters and brothers.
Advertiser Monday 26 October 1953, BOWMAN. Lt. T. H., 2nd 48th Battalion. — Loving memory of Tom. who paid the supreme sacrifice at El Alamein, October 26 1942. — Always remembered by father. mother sister and brother.
Advertiser Wednesday 27 October 1954, BOWMAN. Lieut. T. H.—In loving memory of Tom. who paid the supreme sacrifice at El Alamein on October 26. 1912.—Inserted by father, mother and family.

With grateful thanks to Josephine Wundersitz who wrote the poignant investigation and story ‘My Four Uncles in World War II (Thomas Bowman) © 2008 - Revised 2012)
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes, SX8133 2/48th Battalion.