933 Corporal
Thomas James Oakley Wallis
14th Australian Infantry Battalion
4th Infantry Brigade
Australian & New Zealand Army Corps
933 Private
Thomas James Oakley
Wallis (KIA)
46th Infantry Battalion
12th Infantry Brigade
4th Australian Division
Australian Imperial Force
This file last updated 5 August, 2021 17:42
Introduction
Portrait, when available
Thomas Oakley, born AT ST JAMES, VICTORIA in 1890 (VIC BDM 27877/2890) is the fifth child of George and Annie Isobel[la] née Armstrong who were married IN 1884(VIC BDM 5812/1884).
His siblings are:
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Annie Isobel, born ST JAMES, (VIC BDM 5812/1884);
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Florence Lottie (known as Lottie), born ST JAMES, (VIC BDM 221706/1885);
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Catherine, born ST JAMES (VIC BDM 24111/1887);
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George Beresford who also served in WW1, born ST JAMES, (VIC BDM 33620/2888);
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Ada Rose born ST JAMES (VIC BDM 17698/1892);
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Lycester Gordon Armstrong who also served in WW1, born ST JAMES (VIC BDM 27877/1890);
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Alfred John William who also served in WW1, born RICHMOND (VIC BDM 6073/1897);
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Herbert Aubrey born ST JAMES (VIC BDM 21747/1900); and
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Ernest Keith born HAWTHORNE (VIC BDM 1055/1903).
Giving his trade on enlistment as Leather Dresser, Thomas had married Edith Ellen Britnell in 1913 (VIC BDM 1083/1913), and although their son Vivian James Britnell's birth (VIC VDM 124322/1912) anticipates the marriage somewhat, it seems that his parents had him adopt the WALLIS surname as a child.
Thomas enlists at 24 years and 3 months of age on 1 Oct 1914 and is allotted to the 5th Reinforcements to the 14th Battalion on Gallipoli, the 14th being a part of the ANZAC Corps. At 5ft 7in (170cm) he is above average height for his generation and is promoted to the rank of Corporal while still on Gallipoli.
The family name on the enlistment document is corrected from "Wallace" to "Wallis", presumably as a result of an overenthusiastic clerk operating on phonics! The same appears to be the case for two of his brothers.
The withdrawal from Gallipoli takes place over three days in late December, and he remains with the 14th Battalion in Egypt until 3 Mar 1916 when half of the 14th is transferred to the 46th Battalion to provide a leavening of combat experience to the new battalions created when the Australian committment to Word War 1 is expanded. The numbers of both units are then made up within reinforcements without experience.
At about the time he is to go to the 46th Battalion he is admitted to hospital a number of times with debility and rheumatism which delays his rejoining the unit and provides multiple overlapping periods of hospitalisation and return to unit in different parts of his Army record.
In FRANCE he almost immediately gets himself into strife with authority, to the extent that he loses his stripes after being brought before a General Court Martial.
It's not unlikely that his experience on Gallipoli resulted in Shell Shock, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder/Spectrum as it's now known. Defiance of authority is a common reaction to trauma, and a dramatic change to the makeup of of both the old and new battalions doesn't help.
There is no indication of a problem with authority up to this point, and in fact he is promoted quickly to Corporal on Gallipoli and holds that rank on transfer to the 46th Battalion.
On 9 Aug 1916, one month and one day after being reduced to the ranks, he is killed in action (KIA), the battalion having relieved the 4th battalion on the right sector of the 12th Brigade position at Pozieres. The casualties for the 12th Brigade on this day are 3 Officers, and 31 other ranks killed, 6 officers and 281 other ranks wounded. John Willis is buried ½ mile east of Pozieres & 4½ E.N.E of Albert. Later this became the POZIERES BRITISH CEMETERY, OVILLER-LA BOISELLE, and his grave location is Plot III. Row P. Grave 5. in the cemetery plan.
We are made aware of another child in the process of examining the Commonwealth (previously Imperial) War Graves Commission documents. She is recorded as "The Late Constance" on the Headstone Report, and these deaths close together must have been a blow for Edith. It appears to have been a stillbirth as there is no record of either the birth or the death in the Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages and no record of the death in the Ryerson Index.
Edith remarries in 1918 (VIC BDM 447/1918) to Robert Thomas Maggs.
Thomas Wallis' documents are:
Some Government Issued Badges
Nearest Female
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War Widows
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Silver War Badge |
Discharged Returned
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Government issued badge in enamel and sterling silver issued to the wife, mother or nearest female relative of a serving soldier. Additional bars were suspended below for further individuals. |
Membership badge of a Kookaburra in sterling silver, issued by the Government to the widows of men
who lost their lives due to their service. Numbered on the reverse. |
Awarded to service personnel who sustained a wound, or contracted sickness of disability in the course of the war as a result of which they were invalided out, or to soldiers who had retired during the course of the war. |
First issued in 1916. Slight variations are indicative of a number of makers. 267,300 were issued. Numbered on the reverse but the numbers have no link withlength of service or Service Number. |
[Badge information collated from Australian War Memorial, "Australians Awarded" by Clive Johnson and en.wikipedia.com]
Abbreviations and Acronyms
Abbreviations and acronyms which are underlined with dots can be expanded by moving the cursor over the term eg WIA. The cursor will change to a ? and the expansion of the abbreviation will be shown. This function is gradually incorporated into the site, replacing the earlier expansion of abbreviations. There may be a discernable delay before the expansion is first displayed.
There is also a separate list of abbreviations which is available through the menu at the top of the page or the hyperlink here.
There are a number of sources for tracing abbreviations used in Australian and New Zealand service records. Those used during World War I are most likely to be identical to British terminology and abbrevations. Those used in World War II are most likely to be similar to US terminology and abbreviations. Those used solely within Australia, especially regional Australia are often unique and can be impossible to find. Sometimes a "best guess" is the only answer.
Duplicated Pages
Some of the service information may be duplicated although individual occurences are not in the same order, use different abbreviations and are in a different hand.
This occurs when unit and headquarters records are amalgamated upon discharge or death. It may be a source for additional information concerning the event.
Service Numbers
Service numbers in Word War I were unique to the unit (e.g. Battalion) or Corps (e.g. Artillery).
If a member changed their unit or corps and the number was already in use, the number of the individual being transferred was given an aphabetic suffix - e.g. 1234A.
In World War II Service Numbers were unique to the State in which they were allotted, each State having an alphabetic prefix unique to the State, eg N12345. If the individual was allotted for overseas service, their Australian Imperial Force number was different, and an X was inserted after the State letter, eg NX 34567.
Individuals alloted for war service did not always serve oveseas, as it was a contingency measure.
For further, much detailed information about identity numbers for Service personnel, see "What's In a Number" by Graham Wilson
Service Numbers
Service numbers in Word War I were unique to the unit (e.g. Battalion) or Corps (e.g. Artillery).
If a member changed their unit or corps and the number was already in use, the number of the individual being transferred was given an aphabetic suffix - e.g. 1234A.
In World War II Service Numbers were unique to the State in which they were allotted, each State having an alphabetic prefix unique to the State, eg N12345. If the individual was allotted for overseas service, their Australian Imperial Force number was different, and an X was inserted after the State letter, eg NX 34567.
Individuals alloted for war service did not always serve oveseas, as it was a contingency measure.
For further, much detailed information about identity numbers for Service personnel, see "What's In a Number" by Graham Wilson
AUSTRALIAN |
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MILITARY FORCES |
AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE
Attestation paper of Persons Enlisted for Service Abroad
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No. |
933 [Annotated CERTIFIED TRUE COPY] |
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Name |
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Unit |
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Joined |
1 Oct 1914 [Annotated 3rd MD] |
Questions to be put to the Person Enlisting before Attestation
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1. |
What is your Name? |
1. |
Wallace Thomas James Oakley |
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2. |
In or near what Parish or Town were you born? |
2. |
In the Parish of in or near the Town of Hawthorne in the County of Kooyong |
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3. |
Are you a natural born British Subject or a Naturalised British Subject? (N.B.— If the latter, papers to be shown.) |
3. |
British Subject |
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4. |
What is your age? |
4. |
24 years |
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5. |
What is your trade or calling? |
5. |
Leather Dresser |
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6. |
Are you, or have you ever been, an Apprentice? If so, where, to whom and for what period? |
6. |
No |
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7. |
Are you married? |
7. |
Yes |
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8. |
Who is your next of kin? (Address to be stated) |
8. |
Wife Edith Ellen Wallace [sic] [later annotated "Remarried Mrs R Maggs" |
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9. |
Have you ever been convicted by the Civil Power? |
9. |
No |
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10. |
Have you ever been discharged from any part of His Majesty's forces, with Ignominy, or as Incorrigible and Worthless, or on account of Conviction of Felony, or of a Sentence of Penal Servitude, or have you dismissed with Disgrace from the Navy? |
10. |
No |
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11. |
Do you now belong to, or have you ever served in, His Majesty's army, the Marines, the Militia, the Militia Reserve, the Territorial Force, Royal Navy, or Colonial Forces? If so, state which, and if not now serving, state the cause of discharge. |
11. |
No |
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12. |
Have you stated the whole, if any, of your previous service? |
12. |
Yes |
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13. |
Have you ever been rejected as unfit for His Majesty's Service? If so, on what grounds? |
13. |
No |
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14. |
(For Married Men and Widowers with children)— |
14. |
Yes |
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I, Thomas James Oakley Wallis do solemnly declare that the above
answers made by me to the above questions are true, and I am will and hereby voluntarily agree to serve in
the Military Forces of the Commonwealth of Australia within or beyond the limits of the Commonwealth.
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Date 14 Sep 1914 |
T.J.O. Wallis |
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* This clause should be struck out in the case of unmarried men or widowers without children
under 18 years of age |
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CERTIFICATE OF ATTESTING OFFICER
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The foregoing questions were read to the person enlisted in my presence. |
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I have taken care that he understands each question, and his answer to each question has been duly entered as replied to by him. |
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Date 17 / 9 / 14 [sic] |
Signature of Attesting Officer |
OATH TO BE TAKEN BY PERSON BEING ENLISTED
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I, Thomas James Oakley Wallis swear that I will well and truly serve our Sovereign Lord the King in the Australian Imperial Force from 17 / 10/ 14 [sic] until the end of the War, and a further period of four months thereafter unless sooner lawfully discharged, dismissed or removed therefrom; and that I will resist His Majesty's enemies and cause His Majesty's peaceto be kept and maintained; and that I will in all matters appertaining to my service, faithfully discharge my duty according to law. |
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SO HELP ME GOD |
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Signature of Person Enlisted |
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Taken and subscribed at Melbourne in the State of V icgtoria this 17th day of September 1914 before me :— |
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Signature of Attesting Officer |
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* A person enlisting who objects to taking an oath may make an afformation in accordance with the Third Schedule of the Act, and the above form must be amended accordingly. All amendments must be initialed by the Attesting Officer. |
Description of WALLACE [sic] Thomas James Oakley on Enlistment
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Age 24 years 3 months |
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Distinctive Marks
Vac . 3. left arm
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Height 5 feet 7; inches |
[170cm] |
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Weight lbs |
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Chest 36; — 37½ inches |
[91.5 — 95.25cm] |
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Complexion medium |
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Eyes Brown |
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Hair Brown |
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Religious Denomination C of E |
[Church of England] |
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CERTIFICATE OF MEDICAL EXAMINATION
I have examined the above-named person and find that he does not present any of the following conditions, viz:—
Scrofula; phthisis; syphilis; impaired constitution; defective intelligence, defects of vision, voice or hearing; hernia; haemorhoids; varicose veins, beyond a limited extent; marked varicocele with unusually pendant testicle; inveterate cutaneous disease; chronic ulcers; traces of corporal punishment, or evidence of having been marked with the letters D. or B.C.; contracted or deformed chest abnormal curvature of spine; or any other disease or physical defect calculated to unfit him for the duties of a soldier.
He can see the required distance with either eye; his heart and lungs are healthy; he has the free use of his joints and limbs; and he declares he is not subject to fits of any description.
I consider him fit for active service.
Date 14 / 9 / 14 [sic]
Place Melbourne
Signature of Examining Medical Officer
CERTIFICATE OF COMMANDING OFFICER
I CERTIFY that this attestation of the above-named person is correct and that the required forms have been complied with. I according approve and appoint him to 14th Battalion A.I.F. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Date 1 Oct 19114
Place Broadmeadows
Signature of Officer Commanding
Chronological Events
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Unit |
Promotions, Reductions, Casualties &c |
Period of Service |
In each |
Remarks |
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14th Battalion A.I.F. |
Private |
1 Oct 1914 |
3 Mar 1916 |
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14th Battalion |
Embarked 22 Dec 1914 for EGYPT with 4th reinforcements to the Battalion |
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Further training was conducted in EGYPT prior to joining the force on GALLIPOLI |
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14th Battalion |
Proceded to join NZF Gallipoli |
12 May 1915 |
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Stricture adm 5th F Amb |
27 Aug 1915 |
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[Stricture is a narrowing of part of the intestine. No further detail is reported.] |
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Promoted Corporal and to rank after 299 Cpl Beale to complete establishment ANZAC |
1 Dec 1915 |
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14th Battalion |
Disembarked ex CARDINGANSHIRE from MUDROS [HARBOUR on LEMNOS ISLAND] at ALEXANDRIA EGYPT. |
1 Jan 1916 |
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[LEMNOS was the headquarters and hospital of the Australian troops on GALLIPOLI. It became a staging point for many during the withdrawal from GALLIPOLI and while the AUSTRALIAN and NEW ZEALAND contingents were unlinked and expanded to meet the requirements in FRANCE.] |
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26 Oct 1914 |
Fine 2/6 (2 shilling and sixpence or 25 cents) |
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[Both "dirty" and "Forfeits" are struck through obliquely. The fine was applied so the charge is substantiated. I can only presume that it was someone's way of identifying the key facts.] |
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46th Batt |
Taken on strength from 14th Btn |
3 Mar 1916 |
At Tel-el-Khebir |
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46th Batt |
Trans from 14th Batt |
4 Mar 1916 |
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Admitted [with] Debility |
[Possibly 3 Mar 16] |
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Punishment |
Charge A.W.L. from 0600 [hrs]
5 Mar 1916 to 1800 [hrs] 6 Mar 1916 |
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Discharged to Unit |
9 Mar 1916 |
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[Returned to Unit?] |
10 Mar 1916 |
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Tel-el-Khebir |
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Left Batt Sick |
27 Mar 1916 |
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Admitted 4th Field Ambulance [unit with] Debility. Transferred to No 11 CCS |
28 Mar 1916 |
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Serapeum |
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Admitted to No 3 Australian Hospital Chronic Rheumatism |
3 Apr 1916 |
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Admitted to No 11 Casualty Clearing Station and transferred to Duty |
6 April 1916 |
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Rejoined Unit |
11 May 1916 |
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Proceeded to join B.E.F. Alexandria |
2 Jun 1916 |
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"Kinsfauns Castle" |
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Disembarked at Marseilles |
8 Jun 1916 |
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Court Martial |
Field General Court Martial held at FLEURBAISE 8 Jul 1916. |
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Disciplinary sentences awarded when Australian military personnel are overseas or in a
war zone are much harsher than in Australia. This is still the case. The reasons are
many, but poor behaviour while overseas reflects badly upon Australia as a nation. Poor
behaviour in a war zone can morph into cowardice, treachery or war crimes. |
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Corporal |
8 Jul 1916 |
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Crime |
"In the field"[sic] Absent without leave from 1400 [hrs] parade on 20 Jul 1916 |
28 Jul 1916 |
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Killed in Action |
9 Aug 1916 |
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