2119 Private Thomas Wilmot Law - 44th Battalion AIF
Thomas Law was born in Mandurah WA on the 12th November 1864 to Samuel and Sarah Law. He was one of eight siblings; all of whom had been born in Fremantle or Mandurah. He spent much of his early life in Fremantle and was educated locally. After leaving school he took up training as a Mason and also spent 15 years with the Fremantle Volunteer Rifles.
In Fremantle in 1884 Tom married Joanna Walsh and they would have six children, Sarah in 1884, Margaret 1885, Clara 1887, Thomas 1889, Patrick 1892, Constance 1894, Vera 1897, Johanna 1902 and Gladys 1904.
Tom's father died in 1892 in Fremantle, and his brother John Law died in Fremantle in January 1895 followed by his sister Phoebe, dying in Fremantle in March 1899. His mother then died in October 1906 in George Street East Fremantle.
In the 1900's Tom and his family were living at 101 Sewell Street East Fremantle. (later renumbered to 41).
On the 26th April 1916 in Fremantle Tom successfully enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force. Tom was 52 years old at this time but lowered his age, telling recruiters that he was only 44. The medical examiner recorded Tom's Physical attributes as;
Height - 5 feet 7 inches tall;
Weight - 151lbs;
Chest Measurement - 35-37 inches;
Complexion - Fresh;
Eyes - Brown;
Hair - Grey.
After his successful enlistment, Tom was sent to Blackboy Hill Camp where he was assigned to No.66 Training Depot. He had a few weeks being taken through the basics of infantry work and was then assigned to the 3rd Reinforcements to the 44th Battalion AIF. He had a few months of training with this group in WA and on the 10th October 1916 boarded the transport ship HMAT Suffolk and set sail for England, reaching Plymouth on the 2nd December 1916.
After being disembarked Tom was sent to the 11th Training Battalion. He had some ill health after entering camp and was sent to Fargo Military Hospital. In January 1917 Tom returned to the 11th Training Battalion. He was here for the next few months. However due to the authorities finding out Tom's true age and his ill health it was recommended that he be returned to Australia.
On the 18th April 1917 Tom was sent to No.2 Command Depot Camp at Weymouth. He would have the next few months here while waiting to return to Australia. Tom left England in July 1917 aboard the troopship Euripides as medically unfit for further service. He arrived back in Fremantle on the 12th September 1917. He was then discharged from the AIF on the 29th September 1917.
Tom then returned to his work as a Mason and returned to live at Sewell Street East Fremantle
Johanna Law died in 1924 and Tom died on the 3rd May 1925 in East Fremantle aged 60. He was buried in Fremantle Cemetery plot Roman Catholic MON CC 1154.
