Walter Cyril Tomlinson
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 30 Oct 1904 |
| Place of Birth | Harworth, Nottinghamshire, England |
| Death | 11 May 1973, aged 72 |
| Place of Death | Inglewood |
| Age at Enlistment | 35 years old |
| Occupation | Butcher |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Armadale. Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Mrs Nellie Tomlinson |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | WX1350 |
| Date of Enlistment | 7 Nov 1939 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 6th Division Australian Infantry Division AASC Company |
| Military Movement | |
| 1st Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 11 Jan 1940 ‒ 14 Feb 1940 |
| Transport Details | HMT Empress of Japan Melbourne to Kantara, Egypt |
| Transfers | |
| Journey Dates | 1 Apr 1941 |
| Transport Details | unknown Egypt to Greece |
| Journey Dates | ‒ May 1941 |
| Transport Details | unknown Greece to Egypt |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 24 Nov 1941 ‒ 10 Dec 1941 |
| Transport Details | unknown Egypt to Fremantle |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Returned to Australia (Medical) |
| Medals |
1939-45 Star Africa Star Defence Medal War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 Greek Commemorative War Medal 1940-41 |
Pre War
During 1924 Walter married Nellie Hawkins in Perth.
Electoral Roll entry:1925 at 3 Waugh street, Balkatta, butcher.
War Service
Enlisted in Subiaco and posted to the AASC Training Centre in Broadmeadows after 3 weeks at Northam camp. On 11 Jan 1940 he boarded HMT Empress of Japan in Port Melbourne, as part of Convoy US 1. On 14 Feb 1941 he disembarked in Kantara, Egypt. On 9 Apr 1940 he was graded as a Cook grade II at Qastina in Palestine. Ill, he was admitted to the CRS at Sarbara on 25 Jul 1940 with sand fly fever, before being transferred to the 2/1st Australian General Hospital at Gaza Ridge, Palestine. On 31 Jul 1940 he rejoined his unit at Sarbara.
Walter and his unit embarked for Greece on 1 Apr 1941 from Alexandria (?), and returned to Egypt in May 1941 following the surrender of Greece to German forces.
On 5 Jul 1941 he was admitted to the 2/7th Australian General Hospital complaining of pain in the Lumbar region of his back. Walter was discharged to the Depot Battalion on 21 Jul 1941 after treatment for Fibrositis, being classified as temporarily unfit for service for a period greater than six months. On 24 Nov 1941 he embarked for return to Australia, arriving in Fremantle on 10 Dec 1941 aboard the L L (ship's name not yet discovered).
Granted disembarkation leave from 10 - 20 Dec 1941, he entered the 110th Australian Base Hospital at Hollywood the day his leave ended. After treatment he was released to L.M.C. Home on 3 Jan 1942, he remained in their care until 13 Mar 1942 when he returned to the Returnees Depot section of Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot. Granted sick leave from 13 March, he faced a Medical Board on 20 Mar 1942 which found him unfit and overage, with discharge to take effect on 20 Apr 1942. He was granted leave until his discharge took effect.
Post War
Walter re-married, to Violet Peggy Turner on 9 Jan 1952.
Electoral Roll entries: 1943 at Albany road, Armadale, contractor; 1949 at 286 Murray street, Perth, Master Butcher; 1958 - 1963 at 37 Central avenue Claremont, butcher.
A Statutory Declaration has him in 1963 at Wongan Hills, and a letter has him in 1965 at 16 Davey street, Mandurah.
Notes
It is probable that Walter's birth date was 30 Oct 1901 rather than 1904, given the details of his death, his being on the 1925 Electoral Roll and his overage discharge.