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Thomas Hales - Information

Thomas joined the colours at Victoria Barracks on the 18th of October 1915, aged 24. He was born in Campbelltown and later moved with his family to Bonville on the North Coast. As the war was raging, Thomas was still living with his family and working as a labourer. In July 1915, the Hales family said goodbye to Thomas’ younger brother, Edward, when he enlisted.

Thomas was made a Gunner with the 1st Field Artillery Brigade. His unit was then shipped out from Sydney aboard the HMAT Berrima on the 17th of December 1915. Thomas landed in Cairo in January 1916. Here, he was detached for duty with the Trench Mortar Battery, and was subsequently transported to France in April. On the 4th of June 1916, Thomas received a painful gunshot wound to his left elbow. He was treated at the 13th Stationary Hospital in Boulogne. Slowly making progress, Thomas returned to duty, transferred to the 1st Divisional Ammunition Column in August. However the following month, Thomas was back with the Trench Mortar Battery and was appointed Corporal, and in March 1918, Acting Sergeant. Thomas continued to serve valiantly throughout the war. He returned to Australia a Corporal on the Suffolk in April 1919. He then resided on Queen St in Campbelltown, and later passed away in Macksville in 1962.