O'MARA, Thomas
| Service Number: | 11371 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 7 September 1915, Enlisted at Brisbane, QLD. 14th Depot Unit of Supply |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | Depot Units of Supply |
| Born: | Gympie, Queensland, Australia, 21 December 1897 |
| Home Town: | South Brisbane, Brisbane, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Draper |
| Died: | Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 5 March 1945, aged 47 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane, Qld ANZAC-7-85-34. Grave is unmarked |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 7 Sep 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 11371, Depot Units of Supply, Enlisted at Brisbane, QLD. 14th Depot Unit of Supply | |
|---|---|---|
| 18 May 1916: | Involvement Private, 11371, 11th to 15th Depot Unit of Supply, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '22' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Demosthenes embarkation_ship_number: A64 public_note: '' | |
| 18 May 1916: | Embarked Private, 11371, 11th to 15th Depot Unit of Supply, HMAT Demosthenes, Sydney | |
| 10 Sep 1917: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 11371, Depot Units of Supply, Multiple wounds as a result of an air raid while serving with the 14th Unit of Supply. Invalided to England on 16 September 1917 aboard HS St. Andrew | |
| 26 Nov 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 11371, Depot Units of Supply, Discharged at the 1st Military District as medically unfit |
Help us honour Thomas O'Mara's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Carol Foster
Son of Thomas O'Mara and Margaret O'Mara nee Ward of Victoria Street, West End, South Brisbane, QLD.
Thomas had been employed with Finney Ishlee & Co., Drapers, for three years prior to enlisting
Brother of William Denis O'Mara who Australia on 20 August 1919 having served with the 10th Depot Unit of Supply.
Commenced return to Australia on 9 August 1919 aboard HT Ceramic disembarking on 3 October 1919 at Sydney for onward travel to Brisbane
Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal
Biography contributed by Evan Evans
From Australian Remembrance Army
Australian World War One veteran Private Thomas O'Mara (Service No. 11371), is among almost 800 previously unmarked WWI veterans’ graves in Lutwyche Cemetery we have now marked with plaques in recognition of their service for Australia.
We unveiled his plaque in Lutwyche Cemetery on 15 April 2023, along with a further 246 plaques on the previously unmarked graves of Australian World War One veterans:
See Australian Remembrance Army Facebook page
Thomas O’Mara was born on 21 December 1897 in Gympie, Queensland, to Thomas O’Mara and Margaret O’Mara (née Ward).
He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Brisbane, Queensland, on 7 September 1915, stating his occupation as a draper and nominating his mother, Mrs Margaret O’Mara of Victoria Street, West End, South Brisbane, as his next of kin. On 18 May 1916, he embarked for overseas service with the 14th Depot Unit of Supply aboard HMAT Demosthenes from Sydney, disembarking at Plymouth on 20 July 1916.
In late August 1916, Thomas was admitted to hospital in England and was discharged two weeks later. On 21 November 1916, he proceeded overseas to France, where he served with the AIF supply services supporting front-line operations. In early 1917, he again fell ill and, on 5 January 1917, was admitted to hospital at Calais and Boulogne suffering from mumps. After a period in hospital and convalescence at Étaples, he rejoined his unit on 7 February 1917.
On 10 September 1917, Thomas was wounded in action as the result of an enemy air raid. He sustained multiple shrapnel and blast wounds, including injuries to his left arm, scalp, chest, and right leg. Due to the severity of his injuries, he was evacuated to England. Despite medical care, he did not recover sufficiently to return to active service. By January 1918, he was transferred to No. 3 Command Depot at Hurdcott, where soldiers unfit for further duty were held pending discharge. In August 1919, he commenced his return to Australia aboard the troopship HT Ceramic, arriving in Sydney in October 1919, before returning to Brisbane.
Following his return to civilian life, he married Muriel Ann Teefy in December 1921, and together they had two children, Gabrielle and Noela. They settled in Brisbane, and between 1925 and 1936 are recorded as living at Gaythorne, where he was employed as a storeman.
Private Thomas O’Mara died on 5 March 1945, aged 47, and was buried in Anzac Portion 7, Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane.
After decades without recognition at his place of burial, his grave now bears a plaque commemorating his service to Australia — ensuring his name endures among those remembered for their duty and sacrifice. His identity and dignity have now been restored.
We have remembered him.
Lest We Forget
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