Gwladys Margaret THOMAS

THOMAS, Gwladys Margaret

Service Numbers: VFX8377, VFX8377, VX8377, VX8377
Enlisted: 30 April 1940, Enlisted at Melbourne. Unit was 4 General Hospital
Last Rank: Matron
Last Unit: Australian Army Nursing Service (WW1)
Born: Canterbury, Boroondara - Victoria, Australia, 24 June 1907
Home Town: Canterbury, Boroondara, Victoria
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Nurse
Died: Injuries, Egypt, 1 September 1941, aged 34 years
Cemetery: Kantara War Memorial Cemetery
Row C, Grave 171A Headstone Inscription "WE SHALL GO TO HER, BUT SHE SHALL NOT RETURN TO US", Kantara War Memorial Cemetery, Suez Canal, Egypt
Memorials: Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Hamilton Hospital Roll of Honour, Hamilton War Memorial, Kapunda Dutton Park Memorial Gardens Nurses Plaques, Matron Gwladys M. Thomas Memorial
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World War 2 Service

3 Sep 1939: Involvement Matron, VFX8377
30 Apr 1940: Enlisted Australian Army Nursing Service (WW1), Matron, VFX8377, VX8377, Enlisted at Melbourne. Unit was 4 General Hospital
29 Dec 1940: Embarked Australian Army Nursing Service (WW1), Matron, VX8377, Australian Army Nursing Service (WW1), Embarked on HMT Mauretania from Melbourne on 29th December 1940, disembarking Middle East 0n 2nd February 1941.
12 Feb 1941: Transferred Australian Army Nursing Service (WW1), Matron, Australian Army Nursing Service (WW1),
  • 12th February 1941 - posted to 2nd Australian General Hospital
  • 20th February 1941 - detached for special duty
  • 8th March 1941 - rejoined 2nd Australian General Hospital
  • 29th March 1941 - posted to 4th Australian General Hospital
  • 10th April 1941 - posted to 1st Australian General Hospital
  • 16th April 1941 - admitted to 1st Australian General hospital with abcess and was discharged two days later
  • 28th May 1941 - attached to 2nd Australian General Hospital attachment to 1st Australian General Hospital
  • 18th July 1941 - admitted to 2nd Australian General Hospital with Dysentery and discharged on 27th July 1941
  • 31 Aug 1941: Wounded Australian Army Nursing Service (WW1), Matron, VX8377, Australian Army Nursing Service (WW1), Head injuries received in a road accident which occured around midnight on the 31 August 1941 near Ismalia, succumbing to her injuries on 1st September 1941.
    Date unknown: Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Major, VX8377, General Hospitals - WW2

    Help us honour Gwladys Margaret Thomas's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.

    Biography contributed by Carol Foster

    Daughter of George Homan and Florence Maud THOMAS of 15 Wilson Street, Canterbury, Melbourne Victoria.

    Died of head injuries received in a road accident which occured around midnight on the 31 August 1941 near Ismalia

    Medals: Defence Medal, War Medal, Australian Service Medal

    Biography contributed by Faithe Jones

    Mr. and Mrs. G. H. Thomas, Milton st., Canterbury, have been advised that their daughter, Matron Gwladys Margaret Thomas, had been killed in a road accident in the Middle East on September 1. Matron Thomas, who was 34, was one of the youngest matrons to go abroad. She held a triple certificate, trained at the Alfred and Women s Hospitals and the Infant Welfare Department.  At the age of 20 she was appointed matron of the Hamilton Base Hospital a position she held until she enlisted. Matron Thomas sailed last December, and was appointed to a general hospital. Three months ago she was transferred as matron to another general hospital. Matron Thomas, who was an accomplished pianist and singer, had recently organised weekly musical evenings for the entertainment of the nurses at her hospital. She was a devout member of the Methodist Church. Her father, Mr. G. H. Thomas, is chairman, State Executive Committee of the Boy Scouts' Association, and chairman of its Federal council. 
    Argus (Melbourne), 5 September 1941.

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