click to enlarge
Photo of Thomas Phillips
donated by Peter Phillips, grandson

Thomas Phillips was born in Bacchus Marsh, VIC on the 2^nd of May 1897 to John Thomas Phillips and Ellen O'Loughlin. Thomas had a sister, Mary, who married William Vallence, who is also remembered in the Avenue.

Thomas was a baker - possibly in St Kilda - when he enlisted in the AIF on the 28^th of July 1915, aged just 18 - his parents permission having been obtained - he had previously served four years in the Senior Cadets. Whilst on leave he was presented with a medal⁽¹⁾ at the Bacchus Marsh Shire Hall as a token of goodwill from the residents. He embarked aboard the HMAT A40 Ceramic in late November with the 7^th Reinforcements, 13^th Light Horse Regiment, disembarking in Egypt.

Thomas joined his unit in February 1916 and was posted to B squadron in March. Later that month the 13^th Light Horse was split up and he became part of the 5^th Division Cavalry. He disembarked in Marseilles, France in late June and in July the Divisional cavalry units were reunited as the 13^th Light Horse in the 1^st ANZAC Mounted Troops - still attached to the 5^th Division.

At the end of March 1917 Thomas was detached for duty with the Assistant Provost Marshal and two weeks later proceeded to join the 4^th Division. Somehow he ended up in London in August and was AWL for a single day, for which he was admonished and forfeited two days pay.

In December 1917 Thomas was in Belguim where he was admitted to the 15^th Australian Field Ambulance with Influenza. A week later he was admitted to the 1^st Canadian General Hospital, Boulogne, France - now the diagnosis is trench fever. In January 1918 Thomas was admitted to the 2^nd Southern General Hospital, Bristol, England and was later diagnosed with tachycardia and as having attacks of Dyspnoea and giddiness on exertion since having trench fever. Thomas was discharged from hospital to a convalescent depot at the end of January.

Thomas embarked for Australia aboard the A29 HT Suevic in late April 1918, disembarking in Australia in June and was discharged from the AIF in October - still recovering from the effects of trench fever.

After the war Thomas married Irene McDonald and they settled in Shepparton, VIC. Thomas died at Shepparton in 1980, aged 83.

He is listed on the Shire of Bacchus Marsh Roll of Honour and the Roll of Honour for pupils of Parwan State School⁽²⁾ and the Bacchus Marsh & District Roll of Honour.

Notes

1. The Bacchus Marsh Express 18 Sept 1915
2. According to Thomas' grandson, Peter Phillips, he would have attended the Catholic school in Bacchus Marsh - so it is probably Ted Phillips that is remembered at Parwan.