ROBERTS , Thomas Percival
| Service Numbers: | 2441, V406006 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 16 August 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | Volunteer Defence Corps (VIC) |
| Born: | Warracknabeal, Victoria, Australia, 1 November 1895 |
| Home Town: | Willenabrina, Yarriambiack, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Farm Labourer |
| Died: | Portland, Victoria, Australia, 23 May 1963, aged 67 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Portland South Cemetery, Victoria, Australia Plaque in Victorian Garden of Remembrance |
| Memorials: | Sale Baptist Church WWI Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 16 Aug 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2441, 39th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Oct 1916: | Involvement Private, 2441, 39th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '18' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Port Lincoln embarkation_ship_number: A17 public_note: '' | |
| 20 Oct 1916: | Embarked Private, 2441, 39th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Port Lincoln, Melbourne | |
| 12 Sep 1918: | Honoured Military Medal, ‘For gallantry and devotion to duty during action at SUZANNE on 26th/27th August 1918. As Platoon runner during this time he performed several acts of special devotion to duty in carrying important messages through heavy shell fire to Company Headquarters. This soldier has displayed similar acts in previous operations. His daring and initiative during the present operations helped to maintain communication which was of vital importance and stamps him as a fine soldier.’ (Commonwealth Gazette No 109; 16 September 1919) | |
| 30 Apr 1919: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 2441, 39th Infantry Battalion, embarked England for RTA on board HT Karagoola | |
| 12 Jun 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 2441, 39th Infantry Battalion |
World War 2 Service
| 16 Jul 1943: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , V406006, Volunteer Defence Corps (VIC) | |
|---|---|---|
| 21 Sep 1945: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , V406006, Volunteer Defence Corps (VIC) |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Chris Buckley
Private Thomas Percival Roberts MM (Service No:2441) initially served in the Militia (Service No:25/546) with 73rd Infantry before enlisting in the AIF on 16 August 1916. Private Roberts served with 39th Infantry Battalion and embarked from Melbourne for Plymouth on board HMAT A17 Port Lincoln on 20 October 1916. Private Roberts served in France, and was awarded the Military Medal 'for gallantry and devotion to duty during action at SUZANNE 26th/27th August 1918' (Commonwealth of Australia Gazette; 16 September 1919). Private Roberts embarked from England for the RTA on 30 April 1919 on board HT Karagoola and was attached to 39th Infantry Battalion at Discharge on 30 April 1919. In WWII he served as Sergeant (Service No:V406006) in the ACMF with 14th Battalion (Vic) VDC from 16 July 1943 to 21 September 1945.
Born in Willenabrina via Warracknabeal, Victoria in 1895, Tom was seventh of ten children of Thomas (Tom Snr) Roberts (b1849 in Brighton, South Australia) and Kate Sprigg (b1858 in Clarendon, South Australia). Tom Snr was a Farmer in Morphett Vale, South Australia in 1878 when he and Kate married. They lived in Morphett Vale, Minlacowie and Moorowie before moving in 1889 to Willenabrina via Wararcknabeal in Victoria where Tom Snr was a Farmer.
Tom worked as a Farm Labourer in Willenabrina before enlisting in the AIF and, following his Discharge, was a Farmer in 1922 when he married Olive (aka May) May Christian (b1901 in Willenabrina, Victoria). Tom and May lived in Willenabrina and Portland where they raised their family and Tom was a Farmer until his death in 1963. May died in 1999.
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