FOGARTY, Thomas Joseph
| Service Numbers: | 238, N104080 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 6 May 1902, B Squadron. |
| Last Rank: | Trooper |
| Last Unit: | 5th Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse |
| Born: | Wattle Flat, New South Wales, Australia, 5 September 1880 |
| Home Town: | Bathurst, Bathurst Regional, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Butcher |
| Died: | Darlinghurst, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 2 May 1957, aged 76 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Rookwood Cemeteries & Crematorium, New South Wales Catholic Cemetery, Rookwood. |
| Memorials: | Bathurst Boer War Memorial |
Boer War Service
| 1 Oct 1899: | Involvement Trooper, 238, 5th Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse | |
|---|---|---|
| 6 May 1902: | Enlisted Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Trooper, 238, 5th Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse, B Squadron. | |
| 22 May 1902: | Embarked Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Trooper, 238, 5th Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse, Per Columbian, Sydney. | |
| 1 Jul 1902: | Embarked Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Trooper, 238, 5th Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse, Per Manchester Merchant, Cape Town. Arrived Sydney 31 July 1902. |
World War 2 Service
| 31 Jul 1902: | Discharged Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Trooper, 238, 5th Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse, On arrival in Sydney, troops were paid off - remuneration dated to the 9 August 1902. | |
|---|---|---|
| 16 Dec 1941: | Enlisted N104080, Birth date falsified. | |
| 26 Feb 1943: | Discharged N104080, Private. 7th Garrison Battalion. |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Karen Standen
Trooper Thomas Joseph Fogarty, along with his 5th Battalion comrades, sailed from Sydney on the 22nd May 1902. According to their commanding officer Lieutenant-Colonel Onslow, "they were somewhat disappointed on learning on arrival at Durban that 'their services would not be required,'" as the Peace Treaty of Vereeniging had been signed just days after their departure.
While the army decided on the 5th Battalion’s future movements, the men, horses and equipment were disembarked. "Two of the squadrons with the saddles and the rest of the heavy baggage were despatched to Newcastle, in the north of Natal, whilst the remainder took the horses and went into camp at Durban. After remaining for a few days, the men were ordered to Gilletts, some 20 miles distant. This was the only taste of campaigning which they had. The saddles having been forwarded to Newcastle the troops were obliged to ride bareback, and after their long sea voyage the experience was anything but pleasant. When a fortnight had elapsed it was definitely decided that the contingent should return at once to Australia.”
The Manchester Merchant sailed from Cape Town on the 1st July 1902. Thomas, and the bulk of his Battalion, were on board. Four weeks later they were plying their way up the east coast of Australia towards Sydney. Arriving Wednesday night, they had to wait for an early morning examination of the vessel, before they were allowed to continue on to the wharf and disembark.
“Immediately after landing the men were lined up, and marched away to Victoria Barracks to the accompaniment of selections by the R.A.A. Band and escorted by a detachment of mounted police.
At the barracks there was a large gathering of friends and relatives of the returned soldiers, who were marched in squadrons to the square.” After the necessary addresses, “The men then fell out, and, after being individually welcomed by their friends, they were paid off,...” - The Sydney Morning Herald, 1 August 1902 (nla.gov.au).
Thomas returned to his life and family in Bathurst. Of his payout, Tom gave £15 to his mother, who spent it on clothes for herself and his younger siblings.
A family man himself at the outbreak of the First World War, Tom understandably did not enlist. Twenty years and another war later though, Tom was divorced and despite being in has early sixties, he enlisted in the army in 1941. Private Thomas Joseph Fogarty served as a butcher in the World War Two army camp at Brookvale. He was discharged from the 7th Garrison Battalion on the 26th February 1943.