AUSTIN, Thormas Alfred
| Service Number: | 4738 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 2 November 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 12th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Karoola, Tasmania, Australia, 9 April 1896 |
| Home Town: | Turners Marsh, Launceston, Tasmania |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Driver |
| Died: | Tonganah, Tasmania, Australia, 12 January 1944, aged 47 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Scottsdale and Ellesmere General Cemetery, Tasmania |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 2 Nov 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 4738, 12th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 18 Feb 1916: | Involvement Private, 4738, 12th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Ballarat embarkation_ship_number: A70 public_note: '' | |
| 18 Feb 1916: | Embarked Private, 4738, 12th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ballarat, Melbourne | |
| 19 Aug 1916: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 4738, 12th Infantry Battalion, France - GSW hip | |
| 13 Feb 1917: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 4738, 12th Infantry Battalion, per HT Ulysses | |
| 8 Jul 1917: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 4738, 12th Infantry Battalion |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Chris Buckley
Private Thomas Alfred Austin (Service No:4738) enlisted in the AIF on 2 November 1915 with 12th Infantry Battalion 15th Reinforcements, and embarked from Melbourne on 18 February 1916 on board HMAT A70 Ballara. On 19 August 1916 Private Austin was WiA in France - GSW to his hip - and embarked for the RTA on 13 February 1917 on board HT Ulysses. Private Austin was Discharged on 8 July 1917.
Born in 1896 at Karoola in Tasmania, Tom's birth parents were Registered as Florence Amelia Austin (b1877 in Launceston, Tasmania) and Matthew Rush (b1865 at Lilydale, Tasmania). Tom was raised by his maternal grandfather (Florence's father) George Austin (b1846 at Campbell Town, Tasmania) and George's second wife Elizabeth Ann Kettle (b1863 in Launceston, Tasmania). Tom took his mother's maiden name (Austin) and was known as the eldest of George's children. George and Elizabeth settled at Turner's Marsh where George was a Labourer and Dairy Farmer.
Tom worked in Turner's Marsh as a Labourer and Driver before enlisting in the AIF. Following his Discharge, Tom settled in Turner's Marsh where he worked as a Labourer before becoming a Dairy Farmer at Tongana. Tom endured ill health and a number of surgeries related to his WWI wounds. In 1940 at Bridport Tasmania, Tom married Irene Emily Margeuretta Osborne (b1904 in Warragul, Victoria) and four years later Tom hung himself in his stable. Reports stated that Tom had been in a bad state of health and seriously depressed as a result of his wounds. 'The late Mr Austin was a well known and highly esteemed resident. His quiet, unobstructive ways and strict integrity won many friends. He served in the first Great War when in his teens, and was badly wounded in the thigh. On his return from overseas he spent much of his time in Hospital, but ultimately appeared to make a good recovery.... (he) leaves a wife and infant son' (North Eastern Advertiser; 14 January 1944; p3).
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