Regimental number | 2001 |
Place of birth | Cookardinia New South Wales |
Religion | Church of England |
Occupation | Farmer |
Address | Henty, New South Wales |
Marital status | Single |
Age at embarkation | 20 |
Next of kin | Father, Samuel Tonks, Henty, New South Wales |
Enlistment date | |
Rank on enlistment | Private |
Unit name | 56th Battalion, 3rd Reinforcement |
AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/73/3 |
Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A37 Barambah on |
Rank from Nominal Roll | Sergeant |
Unit from Nominal Roll | 35th Battalion |
Fate | Killed in Action |
Age at death from cemetery records | 21 |
Place of burial | Hem Farm Military Cemetery (Plot II, Row D, Grave No. 16), Hem-Monacu, France |
Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 126 |
Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: Samuel and Eliza TONKS, Hay Street, Henty, New South Wales |
Medals |
Military Medal Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 120 Date: Bar to Military Medal 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during operations against enemy positions south of the SOMME, east of HAMEL on 8th August, 1918. Sergeant TONKS with the Scout Officer and one Scout went forward to get information of the progress of the attack, the fog being intensely thick and information not complete owing to runners getting lost. Suddenly a machine gun opened fire at about 20 yards; Sergeant TONKS without hesitation rushed the gun, at the same time calling out orders to deceive the enemy. He shot the gunner and secured 25 prisoners in the position. This N.C.O. was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry in a raid opposite WARNETON in March, 1918.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 89 Date: |
Other details |
War service: Western Front Medals: Military Medal & Bar, British War Medal, Victory Medal |