Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Murray Pioneer and Australian River Record 19 July 1918

Mr. Ben Thamm is again at the wheel of one of Messrs. Taylor & Sons' motor cars. Quite a number of this firm's drivers (including' Mr. Joe Taylor) enlisted, some or them went into transport work. Ben and his brother joined the infantry and kept together till a bullet
knocked him out in an attack on the enemy trenches near Albert. The Australians had to cover about 200 yards after the hop over, and Pte. Thamm got within 30 yards or so of the enemy trench when he felt as though stabbed by a bayonet in the back. A bullet had
entered his chest and come out of his back. It was a long crawl back to the Australian lines, but he managed it, and a good many months In hospital in England and at Keswick followed. He has only lately been able to take up work again, but feels pretty fit. Pte. Ben spent three months in France.

Murray Pioneer and Australian River Record 15 November 1929

A Popular River Man's Misfortune
Mr. Ben Thamm, one of the most popular motor drivers and mechanics on the river has been totally blinded as the result of an accident. For about nine years Mr. Thamm drove continually for Mr. Joe Taylor and Mr. Wally Pendle on the Renmark to Morgan
track, and during that period he gained the confidence of all who rode with him. But as time went on the ex-soldier found that his eyes were troubling him, at last he was forced to leave the road practically blind. Mr. Thamm then opened a motor garage at Morgan and by attention to business and efficiency of service did fairly well. One of his eye's became much stronger, but he had very little sight left in the other. Still he struggled along never complaining. A few days ago Mr. Thamm was doing some repair work to a motor when a piece of washer flew into his face and destroyed the sight in his sound eye. At present totally blind, this good Australian has, earned the pity of a wide section of the public. The doctors have him under their care, and it may be that he will be able to see a little after treatment.

Murray Pioneer 28 November 1946

Fell from Moving Motor Truck
Mr. Ben Thamm, garage proprietor, of Morgan, was killed in a fall from a moving lorry at Morgan last Thursday.
It was about 9.20 a.m. and Mr. Thamm was standing on the side of a lorry which was in motion. He was listening for a defect in the gear box. Losing his footing, he slipped off and fell to the road, a wheel of the lorry passing over his head. The injured man was carried into his home where he passed away soon after. MC Charlie Schwerdt prepared a report for the coroner (Mr L. S. Watt) who deemed an inquest unnecessary.