Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Tom was born at Balhannah on 14 December 1893. He was the son of George and Margaret Sandercock. At the time of his enlistment, he was employed as a shoeing smith with the family business of Geo. Sandercock and sons, Pirie Street, Adelaide.

The 21 year old enlisted at Keswick on 22 February 1915 and was appointed to C Company 4th Light Horse Brigade Train and by April had been appointed a driver.  Tom embarked from Adelaide aboard HMAT A19 Afric on 26 May 1915 and after disembarking at Alexandrina proceeded to join the British Expeditionary Force. Tom was transferred to 20 Company Army Service Corp which was part of 2 Australian Division Train Headquarter Company. The unit arrived in France from Egypt on 31 March 1916.

In September 1916 it was reported that he had suffered a self inflicted wound and was sent to Australian Field Ambulance with a Gunshot wound to his right hand. He returned to duty the same day. Upon investigation this incident was reverted to accidently wounded when the Company Adjutant reported “wounds were inflicted by an explosion caused by Cpl. Fiergert and not self inflicted”. Tom’s military records were never corrected. Although not recorded, it is believed Tom also suffered a burst eardrum. After Cpl. Fiergert was evacuated Tom assumed his position as Farrier Corporal.

During 1917 Tom was twice granted two weeks of leave to the United Kingdom, the first in January and the second in November. On return from leave in December he was reprimanded “in that he trotted a riding horse on a paved road”.

On 15 September 1918 Tom was promoted to Temporary Farrier Staff Sergeant. For his conspicuous service Tom was mentioned in Sir Douglas Haigh’s despatch of 16 March. He arrived in England from France on 26 March 1919 and embarked aboard Yaringa for his return to Australia on 15 June. Tom disembarked in Adelaide on 2 July and was discharged on 31 August 1919.

Tom married Susan Connell in St. Raphael’s Church, Parkside on 27 July 1922. They had two children, Margaret Ellen in 1923 and Thomas Bernard in 1927. Working as a farrier at a blacksmith in Gawler, he was a well known identity around that town for over forty years after serving. Tom passed away on 9 October 1977 and Susan on 31 December 1984. They are buried together in Enfield Memorial Park, Catholic, Row AZ, site number 77.

Tom's father G93 Corporal George Sandercock, 4MD Reserve Guard; and four brothers 4508 Shoeing-Smith Arthur Jubilee Sandercock, 27 Bn AIF/ Aus Veterinary Hospital; 2475 Private George Frederick Sandercock, 50 Bn AIF; 3898 Driver James Sandercock, 10 Bn AIF/20 Coy Army Service Corps; 2217 Coy Quartermaster Sergeant Robert Sandercock 10 Bn AIF/50 Bn AIF; served in WW1 and brothers A471 Sergeant Roland John Sandercock, RAAF; and SX115 Lance Sergeant Roy Sandercock, 2/10 Bn AIF  served in WW2.