Thomas was born in Bacchus Marsh, VIC in 1887 to Samuel Lewis Hawkins and Elizabeth Newport⁽¹⁾.

Thomas was a Stock and Station Agent as well as a farmer when he enlisted in the AIF, Army Medical Corps, Special Medical Reinforcements on the 21^st of July 1915, aged 26.

A SOLDIER'S THANKS.
To the Editor of the Express.
Dear Sir, - I desire to thank, through you, Cr. James Watson, J.P., and my many friends, who so willingly and unexpectedly joined together in taking off my crop.
Pte. T. L. HAWKINS, A.M.C.,
Royal Park.

Source: Bacchus Marsh Express of 25 Dec 1915

Thomas embarked aboard the HMAT A61 Kanowna in April 1916, disembarking in Egypt in May and spending three weeks in hospital with a cough, sputum, loss of weight, pain in chest and rheumatism. He transferred to the 2^nd Light Horse Field Ambulance in July. While in the desert he was not well - family history of TB, aggravated by service - and he embarked from Suez aboard the Euripides in January 1917, arriving back in Australia in February. On the 21^st of July A PUBLIC WELCOME will be tendered⁽²⁾ at the Mechanics' Institute, Bacchus Marsh which he would have attended. He was discharged from the AIF in May.

Thomas died at Horsham, VIC in 1965, aged 77.

He is listed on the Roll of Honour for Bacchus Marsh and the Roll of Honour for pupils of Parwan State School, held by the RSL at Bacchus Marsh and also the Holy Trinity Church Roll of Honour held by the Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Bacchus Marsh.

Notes

1. One of the oldest residents of Bacchus Marsh, Mrs. Elizabeth Hawkins, passed away at her residence, "Sunnyside," on, Wednesday last, 10th inst, aged 72 years. Born at London, England; she came with her parents to Australia in 1854, in the sailing vessel -"Ontario," and after a rough voyage of six months landed in Melbourne. She was married at St. Paul's Church, Melbourne, on July 12th, 1860. With her late husband, she engaged in farming in different parts of the district, and since his death, 15 years ago, had lived privately. Mrs. Hawkins was a resident of 63 years, and reared a family of 12 children, of whom three sons and five daughters survive; also 20 grandchildren . Her youngest son, Tom, is now on Active Service abroad; also one grandson (Fred, son of late W. Hawkins). The funeral took place on Friday.
   from the Bacchus Marsh Express of 13 Jan 1917
2. The Bacchus Marsh Express 21 Jul 1917