Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Thomas Lainbee’s second name was mis-spelt as Luinbee on his enlistment papers. Affectionately known as Tom, his family came from Liverpool in England and settled in the town of Exeter at Port Adelaide. Tom, born on the 26th October, 1915, was Mathew and Mary Ellen Woodall’s youngest son and one of eight children. His siblings included Elizabeth Monica (Mona), John (Jack), Nora, Kathleen, Rupert Roy, Val and May.
The children attended the local St Joseph’s School at Port Adelaide, then post school, Tom worked as a sawyer, for the local Globe Timber Mills. With the outbreak of WWII, the Company encouraged their employees to support the war effort through purchasing 500 War Savings Certificates which would be bought by employees through contributions from their pay. This plus his English heritage were factors in Tom’s decision to serve in WWII.
Tom and Florence Joan Cross became engaged in September ’36, just months after older brother Val’s marriage to Florence Neilsen in St Augustine’s Church in Melbourne, Victoria on the 16th May. Tom and Florence’s first child, a daughter, Cynthia was born on the 14th May ’40.
Within weeks, Tom and his brother John were two of the early enlistees on the 29th June ’40 to serve in WWII. Tom was 24 and John 29. They were quite astute in assessing how they could both be in the same battalion, spacing their presence so that Tom was given the number SX7212 and John SX7215. Both were then allocated to the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. (Soon after the brothers returned from the Middle East, older brother Rupert Roy also enlisted on the 30th March ’43 as VX125562.)
The brothers’ early days were spent in the Motor Pavilion of what is now the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds where their ‘beds’ were straw filled hessian on wooden pallets. The battalion then trained in the Adelaide Hills before they had brief pre-embarkation leave. The battalion finally boarded the Stratheden for the Middle East, in November, arriving on the 17th December, then marched to a Staging Camp. During those early days, besides regular army duties was the need to quickly adapt to the locals.
Within months, the 2/48th Battalion was involved in intense conflicts where their reputation for being the most highly decorated but decimated battalion was earned. Tom was to become one of the respected and famed Rats of Tobruk.
By March ’41 Tom was being treated for varicose veins before being able to return to the camp at Amiriya. Within six months, his much-admired older brother, John had sustained gunshot wound to his head and a fractured humurus which was so severe it signalled the end of his military career. John Glenn in Tobruk to Tarakan also described the heavy shelling the Battalion had faced in September ’41 before then counteracted with the mortars moving forward ‘and conducting a very successful shoot. Three direct hits were observed on enemy mortar positions.’ However, shelling continued to harass the men, and during the next five days, SX7215 John Woodall, SX10909Bill Southern, SX10570 Herb Ashby, SX6766 Herb Dawson and SX8268 William McKay were wounded. John and the other wounded men were evacuated to hospital. The desert conditions were less than hygienic and by June ’42 Tom had contracted a high fever (Pyrexia of Unknown Origin), causing him to spend a week receiving treatment. However, once he had returned to the 2/48th he received a promotion to Lance Corporal in April.
Tom was wounded in action in October ‘42 with a laceration of the big toe on his right foot. At the time, his battalion had seized Trig 29, a key location in the Battle of El Alamein. John Glenn in Tobruk to Tarakan painted an image of those days. ‘The troops had never been more tired. Yet, notwithstanding the fact that they had not slept for three nights, all were grimly determined to put everything they had into the fight to hold what had been won. Their spirits were high. All-round teamwork, cooperation, and an eagerness to be dug in by dawn caused every man, irrespective of rank or his particular task, to throw his whole weight behind the battalion.’ Heavy fighting helped capture this feature, but the challenge was in ‘digging in’ to the rocky ground. Glenn added ‘The 2/48th had stirred up a real hornet’s nest; from first light until nine o’clock, the enemy turned all their fury on the Trig area, with particularly heavy fire on 29 itself, hiding the position in dust and smoke.’
Back home, the November issue of the Advertiser carried the report that ‘Mrs. T. Woodall, of Baker street, Birkenbead, has been informed that her husband, Pte. Tom Woodall, was wounded in Egypt on October 25. Pte. Woodall enlisted in June. 1940, and left for overseas in November of that year. He served in Tobruk and Syria. His brother, Pte. Jack Woodall, was wounded in Tobruk last year and has now returned.’ The News also carried a similar summary.
The Chronicle at a similar time painted a raw image of the extensive effects on the 2/48th Battalion. Killed in action were SX8468 Pte. Patrick H. Hoare, North Broken Hill (NSW); SX13570 Pte. Charles Holman, Broken Hill; SX7771 Pte. Henry O. Lohmann, Murray Bridge; SX6848 Cpt. Alfred F. Meyer. Renmark: SX3149 Col. Arthur H. Peters, Macclesfield; . SX11768 Pte. John R. Smith, Wardang Island; SX13535 Pte. Allan L. Thessinger, Jamestown. Died Of Wounds SX7917 Pte. Leslie A. King, Adelaide. Wounded In Action.— SX7830 Cpl. Kingsley G. Albrecht, Kingston-on-Murray: SX10571 Pte. William G. F. Barnett, Reedy Creek : SX8128 Pte.- Ivan G. Braidwood, Adelaide; SX8749 Pte. K. W. Dack, Med., Clare; SX7559 Pte, Maxwell. C. Fuss, Kimba; SX13602 Pte. George H. G. Gallagher. Paulco Station; SX12854 Pte. Sydney V. Goodes. Curramulka; SX8483 Pte. William T. Harris, Caltowie; SX10527 A-Cpl. Harold E. Hobbs, St. Peter; SX8497 Pte. Charles H. Lawrie, Naracoorte; SX7959 Pte. Edward Lehmann, Lameroo; SX7028 Pte. Murray V. McFarlane, Cobdogla; SX7721 A-Cpl. Hedley H. Pratt, Korunye; SX7244 Pte. Richard Ramsdale, Meadows; SX11154 Pte. R. F. Reed, Cummins; SX11152 Pte William Reed, Cummins; SX8366 S-Sgt. William W. Statton, Alberton; SX7933 Cpl. Walter H. Stewien, Verdun; SX8576 Pte Arnold R. Thomas, Campbelltown; SX11289 Pte. Keith W. Tilmouth, Cleve; SX7278 pte. Robert Tipper, Berri; SX13755 Pte. Eric M. Waye, Victor Harbor; SX7212 Pte. T. L. Woodall Exeter; SX10514 Pte. Allan. W. Wylie Sefton Park.
Tom was promoted to A/Corporal in November ’42 but then reverted to L/Cpl Jan ’43. The battalion left the Middle East in February ’43, returning to Australia via Melbourne. Back home with Florence, Tom went absent without leave for two days from the 23rd to 25th March, resulting in his demotion to Private and being penalised three days of precious pay. However, by July that year, his promotional status was reinstated to A/Corporal.
Training in Queensland followed in preparation to face a very different enemy in the tropical conditions of New Guinea. Tom arrived in Milne Bay at the commencement of August ’43 with his leadership skills and experience resulting in a promotion to Corporal.
Distressingly, in less than three months, Tom was severely wounded on the 18th November and died the following day. He was 28 years old. John Glenn in Tobruk to Tarakan described the surrounding area as being ‘dearly bought and dearly held. Bordering the road and lining many of the crests were tangled messes of almost impenetrable bamboo, ideal for concealing an enemy. In the fighting along the six thousand yards dividing Jivevaneng and Sattelberg, and in the final storming of the stronghold itself, the battalion’s casualties were, though we could not know it then, to number more than one hundred.’ Tom was one of these. Glenn described the unpredictability of the conflict which resulted in Tom being wounded. ‘Back on White Rock Ridge some Headquarters Company men were just enjoying a brew of tea when the enemy landed several shells right near them. A reinforcement lad who had just arrived was understandably a little nervous; he stuck to his hole. Jacky McMahon, noticing this, jumped in beside the youngster, and had just finished telling him that the Japs could not hit a country privy when a shell landed between them. Both were wounded.’ He added ‘Privates T.L. Woodall, S.C. Goodyear, C.R. Sellars, E.K. Reynolds, A.C. Kerber and D. Hammond all died through enemy action on this 19th November, sixteen others receiving wounds.’
In the compilation and annotation of ‘Diver’ Derrick’s diaries, Mark Johnson in ‘Derrick VC In His Own Words’ wrote an entry on the 18th November ’43 from near Coconut Ridge, Sattelberg Road New Guinea. “Tanks now operating again and ridge occupied after a brief but hard fight. A Coy moving up to take over advance 9Pl, 7Pl, 8Pl. Had only gone 150 along road when 2M.Gs opened on the fwd tank and 9PL were pinned down. A detour by No 2 tank found him in between both guns which kept firing foolishly at the turret. A move fwd by 9Pl resulted in 2 casualties, Ptes Stark and Rowe – finally 8 Pl scrambled over the ridge to silence the right flank gun. 7Pl moved along the road received 4 casualties Cpl Tom Woodall, Cpl Bill Snider, Ptes George Chapman & Jack Stevens. Tom Woodall died later. By dusk we had pushed the Jap off & supported by Don Coy consolidated the won posn.’’
Back home the tragic news was reported in both major newspapers. ‘Birkenhead Soldier Killed in Action Mrs. T. L. Woodall. of Baker street. Birkenhead has been notified that her husband, Corporal T. L. Woodall. A.I.F., was killed in action on November 19 in New Guinea. He was the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. M. Woodall, of Baker street. Birkenhead. He left for overseas in November, 1940. and served in the Middle East. He returned to Australia last February. Before enlisting he was employed by Globe Timber Mills. He has left a wife and little daughter.’
Initially Tom was buried at Quoja River Satelberg but with war ending, he was reburied and now rests in the Lae War Cemetery in Plot S, Row D, Grave 7. Alongside are other young men killed at a similar time. They came from Victoria, Northern Territory, Western Australia and South Australia.
Tom’s parents and wife chose the inscription ‘Eternally Remembered beloved by your wife, daughter, Mum and Dad’ for his headstone.
In the ensuing years, Tom’s family and friends continued to remember him on the anniversary of his death.
Advertiser, Tuesday 30 November 1943, WOODALL. Cpl T. L.—ln loving memory of my dear husband Tom, dear daddy of Cynthia, killed in action N.G. Nov. 19 (AIF. ret.) 28 years. Loved and longed for always.—Sadly missed by his loving wife Florence, daughter Cynthia. WOODALL, Cpl T. L. —In loving memory of our dear youngest son Tom who was killed in action in N.G. on Nov I9 28 years. Dearly we loved him, so dear to us still.—So sadly missed, mum and dad. WOODALL, Cpl T. L.—ln loving memory of our loved brother and uncle Tom, killed In action In N.G. God took you home. It was His will; forget you dear Tom. we never will.—Mona. Leo. Maureen, Lloyd. WOODALL, Cpl T. L. —In loving memory of our dearly loved brother Tom, killed in action, N.G. Nov. 19. For every one he did his best, may God grant him eternal rest.—So sadly missed by Norah and Kathleen. WOODALL, Cpl T. L.—ln loving memory of our dearly loved brother and uncle Tom, killed in action, N.G. Resting in a soldier's grave, his memory honored among the brave.—Roy (A.IF.) Chris, Marie. WOODALL, Cpl T. L.—ln loving memory of our dearly loved brother and uncle Tom. killed in action. N.G. A smiling face, a heart of gold, the dearest brother this world could hold.—Val. Flo and Patty. WOODALL, Cpl. T. L.—ln loving memory of our dearly loved brother and uncle Tom, killed In action in N.G. Some day we’ll understand.—Remembered by May, Jack and children. WOODALL, Cpl T. L.—ln loving memory of our dear brother Tom. killed in action, N.G. Beneath the cross of sacrifice, he lies among Australia's brave.— Too dearly loved to ever be forgotten.— Jack (AIF ret.) and Cora. WOODALL.—In loving memory of Tom. killed In action. N.G. November 19— Ever remembered by C. South and family.
Advertiser Monday 20 November 1944, WOODALL.—In loving memory of my husband. Cpl. Tom. 2/48. died ot wounds, N.G. Nov. 19. 1943 No matter what the years may bring, loving memories will always cling.—Ever remembered by his wife Flo. and little daughter Cynthia. WOODALL.—In treasured memory of our beloved son, Cpl Tom. 2/48th died of wounds, N.G.. Nov. I9 1943. So dearly loved, so sadly missed by his loving parents. WOODALL. Cpl T. L.—ln fond and loving memory of our dearly beloved brother and Uncle Tom. killed in Action. N.G.. Nov. 19. 1943. He marched away so bravely, his young head proudly held, his footsteps never faltered, and his courage never failed, when in the field of battle he calmly took his place, and fought and died for Britain, and the honor of his race. They placed him with his comrades, beneath palms and shifting sands, and the freedom of Australia he left safely in our hands. We shall never forget you.—Roy (AI.F). Chriss. Marie. WOODALL, Cpl—Loving memories of our brother Tom. 2/48th Btn., died of wounds in N.G. Nov. 19. 1943. Two little words not hard to write, but we will remember them all our life—out brother Remembered by Jack and Cora WOODALL.—In loving memory of our dear brother and Uncle Tom who died of wounds in N.G. Nov. 19. 1943. He died as he lived, a soldier and a man —Ever remembered by May, Jack and family. WOODALL.— In loving memory of our loved brother. Cpl Tom 2/48th. died of wounds Nov. 19. 1943. Deepest of memories linger yet of one we loved and will never forget.—Kath and Fred. WOODALL.—In loving memory of our beloved brother, Cpl Tom. 2/48th. died of wounds Nov. 19 1943. For us he gave his all.—Always remembered by Val and Florrie. WOODALL—In loving memory of our dearly loved brother. Cpl Tom. 2/48th He died of wounds. N.G Nov. 19. 1943. We who loved you sadly miss you, as it dawns the first sad year.—Nora and Dan. WOODALL—In loving memory of our dearly loved brother, Tom. died of wounds N.G. Nov. 19. 1943. Too dearly loved to be forgotten.—Roy and Chris. WOODALL.—In loving memory of our beloved brother Cpl Tom. 2/48th. died of wounds. Nov. 19. 1943, N.G. Just a token, true and tender, Just to show we still remember.—Always remembered by Mona, Len, Maureen, Lloyd.
Advertiser Monday 19 November 1945, WOODALL. —In loving memory of my beloved daddy Cpl Tom. 2/48th, died of wounds. N.G. November 19 1943. Ever remembered by his loving daughter Cynthia WOODALL. Cpl T. L, 2/48th Batt.— Cherished memories of our beloved son Tom. killed in action November 19. 1943. Deep in our hearts a memory Is kept of one too dear to ever forget. A silent thought brings many a tear, of one we miss and loved so dear.—Loved and longed for always by mum and dad. WOODALL, Cpl T. L, 2/48th Batt.— In loving memory of our brother Tom, killed in action November 19 1943. He lives with us In memory still, not just today, but always will—So dearly loved, so sadly missed by Mona, Len and WOODALL, Cpl T. L, 2/48th Batt — In loving memory of our dear brother Tom, killed In action November 19, 1943. You left behind some aching hearts that loved yon most sincere; they never have, and never will, forget you, brother dear.— Norah and Dan WOODALL. Cpl T. L, 2/48th Batt.— In loving memory of our dear brother Tom. killed in action November 19 1943. To think we could not say farewell before you closed your eyes. Tom never failed to do your best, your heart was true and tender, you toiled so hard for those you loved, and left us to remember. Ever remembered by Kath and Fred. WOODALL.—In loving memory ot our brother Tom, died of wounds, N.G, November 19. 1943. 2/48th Batt. No matter what the years may bring, loving memories always cling.—Sadly missed by Jack and Cora. WOODALL. —In loving memory of our brother and uncle, died of wounds. N.G, November 19, 1943. Time rolls on, fond memories stay, as dear today as yesterday.—Always remembered by May, Jack, and family. WOODALL.—In loving memory of our loved brother, Cpl Tom, 2/48th Batt. died of wounds November 19 1943. A nature you could not help loving, a heart that was better than gold; to any who knew and loved him his memory will never grow old.—Ever remembered by Roy (AIF.) and Marie, Chriss. WOODALL.—In loving memory of Cpl Tom Woodall died of wounds in N.G, November 19, 1943.—Remembered always by his mother-in-law and family.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.