Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Thomas Joseph Cashman was born in February 1895 in Preston, Victoria, to James Francis Cashman and Bridget Maria (Condon) Cashman.

Educated at Sacred Heart Primary in Preston and then C.B.C. Victoria Parade, in 1911 Thomas Joseph began an apprenticeship with James Moore and Sons in South Melbourne as a Carpenter. In 1914, at the age of 19 years, Thomas Joseph Cashman was recorded as being a qualified carpenter and living at Dundas Street, Preston East, Victoria.

Thomas Joseph was a member of the Army Reserve serving with the 8th Australian Field Engineers based in Preston, Victoria. On 14 April 1916, at the age of 21 years, he enlisted for World War 1 in the 2nd Pioneer Battalion Reinforcement 5 and on 18 September 1916, his unit embarked from Port Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A10 ‘Karroo’ (pictured left) and sailed for England disembarking in Plymouth, United Kingdom, on 15 November 1916.

Note: Pioneer battalions performed construction tasks in the forward area not requiring the special equipment of engineers, such as constructing trenches and dugouts although they occasionally acted in the engineer role on tasks such as construction of bridges. They had a large proportion of tradesmen and were organised the same as an infantry battalion. In a pinch they could and did serve as infantry in the front line.

On 31 December 1916, Thomas Joseph Cashman was made an Acting SGT, embarked on the ship ‘Princess Victoria’ and sailed for Europe arriving on Etaples, France on 1 January 1917. On arrival he was reverted back to the rank of Private.

Sited in the north of France in the department of Pas-de-Calais, the town of Etaples, on the right bank of the estuary of the Canche, is sited some 4.5km from the Straits of Dover. During the First World War the town became a vast Allied military camp and then a giant 'hospital city'. Many medical facilities were established by the Australians, New Zealanders and British. Wounded soldiers were consequently often sent to Etaples to recover or en route for Britain. During his time at Etaples, France, Thomas Joseph Cashman became sick on various occasions and was treated at the local military hospital.

In March of 1917 the Australian 2nd Division formed a flying column to pursue the Germans to the Hindenburg Line. The 2nd Pioneer Battalion was charged with the digging of trenches and repair of roads and bridges. At about 2 p.m. on 15 April 1917, the 2nd Pioneer Battalion began to dig a communication trench which would enable reinforcements and ammunition to reach the elements holding out in the captured length of the Hindenburg Line. The trench, 1,350 yards long, was finished by 9 p.m. but many of the pioneers were killed by shell fire in digging it.

On 23 April 1917, Thomas Joseph was sent to the 1st ANZAC Scabies Station suffering from Scabies. He remained at the Scabies Station until 2 May 1917 when he returned to the front lines and to duty the same day.

On 30 June 1917, Private Thomas Joseph Cashman was admitted to the 56th Casualty Clearing Station suffering from Trench Fever. Trench Fever was a moderately serious disease caused by lice. It was a particularly painful disease that caused sudden pain (i.e. joint pain, muscle pain, rashes, severe headaches) and was followed by high fever. Soldiers with trench fever had to be sent away from the trenches to recover as it was highly contagious and it was also pretty impossible to recover in the trenches unhygienic conditions. Recovery could take up to 12 weeks. Private Thomas Joseph Cashman was returned to duty the same day.

The 2nd Division, including the 2nd Pioneer Battalion were relieved from the front lines on 22 September 1917 by the 3rd Division and sent to Ypres for rest and recreation.

On 29 September 1917 while proceeding back to billets Private Thomas Joseph Cashman was severely wounded during an air raid by a dropped bomb from a German aeroplane in front of the comforts fund building, where coffee was being served, at Ypres. In all 17 were killed and several wounded by the bomb. Thomas Joseph Cashman had both his legs severed and shrapnel splinters in his back and arms. He died shortly after admission to the medical aid station.

Thomas’ obituary read in The Argus Newspaper on 25 October 1917

“ - CASHMAN.- Died of wounds in France on the 29th September, Private Thomas Joseph, third beloved son of the late J. F. and B. M. Cashman, Dundas street, South Preston, aged 22 years. R. I. P. Loved by all who knew him – “

In The Northcote Leader on 3 November 1917

“ - On Active Service. Cashman. —Died of wounds in France on the 29th September, Private Thomas Joseph, 2nd Pioneer Battalion, third son of Mrs. Cashman and the late James F. Cashman, Dundas Street, South Preston. Aged 22 year?. R.I. P. So loved, so mourned. – “

Private Thomas Joseph Cashman is buried at the Menin Road South Military Cemetery (Plot II, Row H, Grave No. 28), Ypres, Belgium.

Thomas Joseph Cashman is also remembered at the Warringal Cemetery, Heidelberg, in the Roman Catholic section at grave RCC25. Thomas Joseph Cashman's name is recorded on the Preston Cenotaph outside the Preston Shire Hall.

For the death of her son, Bridget Maria (Condon) Cashman would receive two pounds per fortnight compensation from the Australian Government of the day.