John Hickson Tomlinson
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | ? Oct 1888 |
| Place of Birth | Oldham, Lancashire, England |
| Death | 3 Apr 1976, aged 87 |
| Place of Death | Kelmscott, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 27 Years, 3 months |
| Description | 5' 6" (1.68m) tall; weight 148 lbs (67.1 kg); medium complexion, brown eyes, and brown hair |
| Occupation | operating porter |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Prospect road, Armadale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Mother Mrs Ellen Tomlinson |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 24442 |
| Date of Enlistment | 1 Feb 1916 |
| Rank | Driver |
| Unit/Formation | 3rd Divisional Ammunition Column, No 1 Section. |
| Date of Embarkation | 27 Jun 1916 - 25 Aug 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A37 Barambah |
| Date of Return | 16 Jun 1919 - 24 Jul 1919 |
| Ship Returned On | RMS Ormonde |
| Fate |
Wounded in Action 24 Jun 1917 Ypres area Returned to Australia |
| Monument |
Armadale War Memorial (West Armadale panel) Armadale and Districts Roll of Honour |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
It appears that Hickson was the name John, and an older sister Emma were born under, and that Tomlinson was the family name of their step father. The family, minus Emma, emigrated to Australia on the SS Pakeha, leaving Liverpool, and arriving in Fremantle on 18 May 1911. John, Dorothy, Wilfred and Walter (Jnr) with Walter (Snr) and Ellen Tomlinson.
Electoral Roll entries - 1916 and 1917 list JH Tomlinson at the 281 mile siding on the Trans Railway.
War Service
John began his training at Blackboy Hill, but completed his artillery preparation at Maribyrnong in Victoria.
On arrival in England he was taken on strength of the 3rd Division Ammunition Column (3DAC) where training continued until he was posted to France on 24 Nov 1916.
On 24 Jun 1917 he received a minor wound to his back requiring some attention from the 3rd New Zealand Field Ambulance, but he returned to duty the same day. However, for missing the 2:00 pm parade on 27 Sep 1917, John was confined to barracks for 7 days, but by Nov 1917 all was well, and he took a 2 week furlough in England.
Appointed acting Bombardier on 19 Jan 1918, but reverted at his own request on 8 Jun 1918.
Discharged 5th Military District 7 Sep 1919
Mentioned in the Feb-Mar 1917 edition of The Drill of the Foot-Hills
Post War
John married Millicent Alice Grace Trame in Perth during 1927 and it would appear that sometime before 1931 John drops the Tomlinson name and reverts to Hickson.
Electoral Roll entries - 1925 a labourer [railway employee in POD] living at "Prospect" in Armadale; In 1931 - 1943 he and Millicent are living at "Grenfell", Railway avenue, Armadale, orchardist; 1954 - 1972 John and Millicent are living at 64 First Avenue, Kelmscott (now known as Banyard avenue).
No children found in BDM or newspapers.
Millicent died 2 Apr 1977 in Subiaco, aged 89.
Notes