Gadd, Thomas William
942 Private Thomas William Gadd - 32nd Battalion AIF
Thomas William Gadd was born in Fulham Middlesex England circa 1875. He grew up and was educated in London and after leaving school took up engineering work.
Tom married in April 1895 in London to Mary Ann Walker.
They came to Western Australia in 1911 via Bremen Germany aboard the ship Scharnhorst. Upon arriving in Western Australia they took up residence in 138 Marmion Street East Fremantle (later renumbered to 69 Marmion St). Tom was working locally in Fremantle as a Bridge Builder.
On the 17th July 1915 Thomas enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force. He was found to be fit for enlistment with the medical examiner recording Tom's physical attributes as;
Height - 5 feet 7 & 1/4 inches tall;
Weight - 171lbs;
Chest Measurement - 39-41 inches;
Complexion - Fair;
Eyes - Blue;
Hair - Dark Brown.
After his successful enlistment Tom was sent to Blackboy Hill Camp and was assigned to No.18 Depot Training Company. He was taken through the basics of infantry training for the next three weeks. On the 16th August 1915 Tom was assigned to "C" Company of the 32nd Battalion AIF.
The 32nd Battalion was a joint South and West Australian unit. The two WA companies did some of their training in WA but then went to Adelaide to join up with the rest of the Battalion and trained for a few more weeks in South Australia.
The 32nd Battalion left Adelaide in December 1915 and sailed for Egypt. After their arrival they spent more time in training and were also used to man part of the Suez Canal defensive line.
The 32nd Battalion became part of the 8th Brigade of the 5th Division AIF. They spent the first six months of 1916 training in the Egyptian desert.
On the 19th January 1916 Tom was at Ferry Post when he fell ill with bronchitis. He was treated at the 8th Field Ambulance and then returned to the 32nd for a few days where he was kept under watch from the medical officer. He was then sent to the 2nd Australian Casualty Clearing Station and on the 25th January 1916 was sent to the 1st Australian Stationary Hospital at Ismailia.
Tom had a few days there and was then transferred to No.4 Auxiliary Hospital. He remained there till the 11th of March. He was then sent to the 1st Australian General Hospital.
Tom was diagnosed with chronic asthma and would play no further part in the war. He remained in hospital till the 9th June 1916 as the following day he was sent aboard the transport ship Itonus and set sail for home, reaching Fremantle on the 18th July 1916.
Tom was discharged from the AIF on the 18th September 1916. He was granted a pension of 30/- per fortnight.
Tom then returned home to Marmion Street Fremantle and resumed his prewar career as a bridge builder.
Tom died on the 20th August 1928 aged 54. He was buried in Fremantle Cemetery plot Anglican MON A2 0029.