Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Thomas, born on the 24th March 1901 was a third generation ‘Thomas Hincks’ born at Laura, on the eastern slopes of the Flinders Ranges. His father and grandfather had both farmed at Stone Hut, a pastoral area between Laura and Wirrabara which had a regular water supply, essential for stock. Tom Jnr’s parents were Thomas (Tom) and Jessie Laura Hincks who had a family of fourteen children, although three died in childhood, George in June 1906 just 12 days old, Elsie in March 1919 at 8 months and Ruby in January 1920 aged just 26 days. Conditions and childhood diseases were cruel to families in those times. The children who survived were Tom, Daisie, Hector, Clem, Ernie, Bill, John, Minnie, Jessie, Annie, Bob, Millie and Ken.
Initially Tom Jnr was part of the Militia until he enlisted to serve on the 5th July 1940, becoming SX7975 and being allocated to the 2/48th Battalion. He was 39 years of age and already married to Ellen Eva Thiele and with growing children.
The previous week several other young men from Bridgewater had also enlisted. These included Geoff Radbone SX7139 and Stuart Wood SX7213 with all three being allocated to the 2/48th Battalion. They all spent their early days in the cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds before ironically, returning to the Adelaide Hills for preliminary training at Woodside back in the Adelaide Hills.
It must have been a challenging time for Tom’s parents as three of his brothers also enlisted over the ensuing years. These included 31-year-old station hand James Conrad SX12488 (Guerrilla warfare) who enlisted in May ’41, 35-year-old Clement Leo SX14064 who enlisted in August ’41 and Kenneth Cameron who enlisted just prior to his 18th birthday in November ’43, becoming Leading Aircraftman 141501. All four brothers initially survived the war and were discharged in 45 and 46.
During Tom’s brief time of pre-embarkation leave, the Bridgewater Hall was again crowded as the community gathered to farewell five of their young men. These included Tom, Royal Scott SX8034, Stuart Wood SX7213 and Geoff Radbone, all from the 2/48th Battalion. Each was presented with a shaving kit from the residents and from the ladies of the Comforts fund, a parcel of woollen comforts. The young men responded with their thanks before a variety of items were presented, followed by a community supper and the singing of "Auld Lang Syne."
Tom and his fellow members of the 2/48th Battalion then embarked on the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 7th November 1940, arriving on the 19th December 1940 where the Battalion completed a few months training in Cyrenaica. During those early days, the men settled into camps, but besides regular army duties was the need to quickly adapt to the light-fingered locals who saw any provisions or equipment as ‘available’. The battalion was soon involved in intense conflicts where the reputation for being the most highly decorated but decimated battalion was earned. By April ’41 the 2/48th was subjected to heavy German shelling, forcing the men to shelter in the pits they had dug.
Tom was able to return from the Middle East in July and spend his allocated ten days leave with his family. Finally, the remnants of the 2/48th returned to Adelaide in March ’43. The local News proudly announced ‘With 2½ years of history-making fighting behind it, the 9th Division A.I.F. received a warm welcome on its return to Australia. One of its South Australian battalions has won three Victoria Crosses and 60 other decorations and awards-more than any other A.I.F. unit.’
Tom survive his part of war and was discharged on the 7th November ’43. Unfortunately, his 70-year-old father, who had experienced on-going ill-health, died just five months afterwards in April ’44. In a eulogy carried in the Laura Standard and Crystal Brook Courier Tom Snr was described as ‘being an almost helpless invalid for nearly 12 months the end came unexpectedly.’ His fascinating life and that of his father, (Tom’s grandfather) was described as ‘The deceased was born at Stone Hut in 1873, was the son of the late Mr and Mrs. T Hincks. When a young man he worked in the Wirrabara Forest sleeper cutting, also in the Broken Hill Mines and on the Salt Lakes at Yorketown. When his father died in 1902, the deceased went on his farm at Stone Hut and continued farming until his death. Mr. Hincks was at one time a member of the Booyoolie District Council, and the Laura Jockey Club. He was well known and highly respected in the district. He leaves a widow (nee Miss Jessie Staker), five daughters, nine sons.’
In what should have been a time of peace and a more tranquil life for Tom who was then a grandfather, proved to be challenging and heartbreaking. His much loved 47-year-old wife, Ellen died in November ’46 leaving Tom and their four children, Audrey, Wallace, Donald and Murray. Ellen was buried with her parents in the North Brighton cemetery. Tom placed a public thank you in the Advertiser the following month ‘HINCKS.—Mr. T. E. Hincks and family of Bridgewater, thank all kind relatives and friends for floral tributes, cards letters and personal expressions of sympathy in their recent sad bereavement. Special thanks to Capt Setterfield of Glenelg.’ He continued to remember her in the ensuing years as did their children.
James, Tom’s younger brother who had served in the 2/2 Pioneer Battalion (Commando Squadron) died of illness soon after he was discharged (in March ’45), on the 30th January ’48, aged just 38 years. He now has a headstone commemorating his service in the Laura Cemetery with the inscription ‘God knew best and gave him rest. Ever remembered by his mother.’ The local council in September that same year, gave an undertaking to the War Graves Commission to undertake the maintenance of James’ grave. Their mother, Jessie lived for a further 9 years but died aged 73 in January ’54. She is also now interred in the Laura Cemetery.
By 1950 Tom had moved to live at Renmark but moved to Ethelton in later years. Aged 68 he died on the 5th June ’66. A plaque commemorating his service is at Centennial Park in the Derrick Gardens, Path 36 Grave 213A. Two of his sons, Donald and Murray have a plaque on the same site. Donald died aged 70 on the 30th September 2000 and 85 year old Murray on the 6th May 2018.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.