Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of Ellen Griffin and Thomas Griffin, Thomas John Griffin was born on the 12th of December, 1889, in Hammond, South Australia.

Thomas was a single 25-year-old farmer living with his mother and father in Hammond when he enlisted to go to war in Adelaide on the 23rd of April, 1915. On the 26th of April, 1915, three days after enlisting, he joined the Australian Imperial Forces. His rank was Private and he was put in the 9th Reinforcement for the 9th Light Horse.

On the 21st of September, 1915, about four months after joining the Australian Imperial Forces, he sailed to war on the “Star of England” (A15).

On the 6th of September, 1915, Thomas was absent without leave for 3 days. Due to this he lost three days’ pay.

On the 1st of December, 1915, Thomas fractured his right leg and was unfit for action, so on the 3rd of January, 1916, he embarked on the “Ulysses” from Suez and arrived back in Australia on the 7th of February, 1916. He was then taken to the Red Cross Hospital in Woodville, Adelaide where he stayed for a couple of months to recover. After recovering from his broken leg, Thomas was discharged from the Australian Imperial Forces on the 21st of August, 1916, after a total service of one year and 118 days in war.

About two years later when Thomas was twenty-eight years old he went back to Adelaide and re-joined the Australian Imperial Forces on the 30th of May, 1918. He was then discharged on the 24th of December, 1918, because the war had finished on the 11th of November, 1918. After the war Thomas was awarded the 1914/1915-Star Medal 7290, the British War Medal 6780 and the Victory Medal 6717.

HAMMOND, August 7 A farewell social was tendered to Cpl.T.Griffin and Pte.E.Griffin tonight, on the eve of their departure for the war. Cr.A.Crisp presided over a large gathering. A musical programme was interspersed with dancing. The following rendered items:- Mesdames Dewhurst and Williamson, and Misses Martin (2), D. Moten, and L.Metcalf, the Hammond School boys, and Mr.R.Dewhurst. The dancing was directed by Mr.D.Pearce as M.C. Father Kirby then presided , while the following speakers expressed the feelings of the gathering:- Messrs. A. Crisp, A.G.Martin, J.W.Ryan, T.Moten, and R.Dewhurst. Cpl.Griffin and Pte. Griffin replied. Both soldiers belong to the 9th Reinforcements of the 9th Light Horse. The Register, Tuesday 10 August 1915

HAMMOND, August 9 A social was held on Saturday night, to bid farewell to Messrs. E. P. and T. J. Griffin (brothers), who have been in camp the last three months, and expect to sail shortly for the front. The several speakers said they had not seen finer samples of soldiers, both 6 ft. high and 14 stone weight. They were proud to be sending them from Hammond, their birthplace. The Advertiser, 12 August 1915

HAMMOND August 15th.

A farewell concert and dance was held on Saturday evening last to bid farewell to Messrs T Griffin (Corporal) and E Griffin (Private), who are leaving shortly for the front. Rev Father Kirby presided over a good attendance. Messrs Crisp, J W Ryan, A.G. Martin, T Moten, and R. N. Dewhirst, on behalf of the townspeople, assured the volunteers of the high appreciation in which they were held, and wished them God speed and a safe return. In response the guests urged others—as many as could be spared—to join the colors and assist their country. Musical items were rendered by Misses D and E Martin, Moten and Metcalf, Mesdames Dewhirst and Williams, Mr R N Dewhurst and school children. Mrs McMahon played for the dancing. Port Augusta Dispatch, Newcastle and Flinders Chronicle, Friday 13 August 1915  

Thomas was the son of Thomas and Ellen Griffin. He was born at Hammond on the 12th December, 1889. His occupation was a farmer although he had served in the Police Force for twelve months. He had left the police force on his “own accord”. Thomas enlisted at Keswick on the 26th April, 1915. He was 25 years 4 months of age. Initially he was appointed to D Coy Base Infantry at the Mitcham Camp. On the 12th May he was sent to 8th Reinforcements and then on 1st June was transferred to the Base Light Horse. While based at the AIF Camp at Oakbank Thomas went AWOL for 3 days from the 6th September. His penalty was to forfeit 3 days pay On the 21st September Thomas, and his brother Edward, embarked from Adelaide aboard the troopship HMAT A15 “Star of England”. They were both members of 9th Reinforcements/9th Light Horse Regiment. In Egypt Thomas was injured when his horse rolled on him and suffered compound fractures of the tibia and fibula of the right leg. Classed as a cot case he was admitted to the No.1 Australian General Hospital at Heliopolis on the 1st December 1915. At some stage his accident was the subject of a Court of Enquiry. On the 3rd January, 1916 Thomas sailed from Suez aboard the troopship HT “Ulysses” and disembarked at Melbourne on the 5th February, 1916. He recuperated at the Red Cross Hospital in Woodville before being discharged medically unfit on the 21st August, 1916. After his discharge Thomas returned to Hammond and received a pension of 3 pounds per fortnight. After only a week this was decreased to 1 pound and 10 shillings per fortnight. Twelve months later his pension was cancelled when he re-attested for active service.

During the evening the Mayor extended a hearty welcome to Private T. J. Griffin, of Hammond, who while in Egypt met with an accident through his horse falling on him, causing a compound fracture of the thigh, and at one time it was thought that he would lose his leg, but on his return to Adelaide he was taken in hand by the Adelaide doctors, and the Mayor was pleased to state that they had managed to save his leg for him. Private T. J. Griffin acknowledged the hearty welcome given to him on his return, and said that although he did not-belong to Quorn, his home was not many miles away; he only wished that he were able to go back again to assist, as all the men available were needed at present. Quorn Mercury Thurs 28 September 1916

Thomas re-enlisted at Adelaide on the 30th May, 1918. Now 28 years of age he was appointed to B Coy at the Mitcham Camp. On the 19th June he was transferred to the Sea Transport Section at Mitcham but was discharged on Christmas Eve, 1918 due to the cessation of hostilities. In March 1918 entered into a farming partnership with his brothers Edward and Ambrose under an oral agreement to share the profits. The brothers acquired a farm under the soldier’s repatriation scheme. The farm consisted of 5 sections (334, 335, 336, 337 and 411) at Polish Hill River, about 4 kilometres north of Mintaro. Thomas married Mary Kathleen “Cassie” Edwards in St Michael’s Catholic Church, Clare in 1920. Their only son John joined the army at the beginning of World War 2 and transferred to the RAAF before a distinguished career in the Royal Australian Navy, rising to the rank of Commander.