BAKER, Thomas Darcy

BAKER, Thomas Darcy – A Southern Downs Veteran

CONFLICT : WWII
SERVICE NO : QX43074
RANK : Lieutenant
UNIT : 25th Battalion
ENLISTMENT DATE : 18/09/1941
AGE : 23
PLACE OF ENLISTMENT : Brisbane, Queensland
PLACE OF BIRTH : Warwick, Queensland
RELIGION : Roman Catholic
OCCUPATION : Railway Clerk
DATE OF DEATH : 31/08/1944
PLACE OF BURIAL : Lutwyche, Queensland

MEMORIALS : Warwick State High School Roll of Honour 1939-1945, Warwick The Fallen 1939-1945, Warwick War Memorial, Australian War Memorial

View this person’s Service File : BAKER, Thomas Darcy

NOTES : BAKER, Thomas Darcy was known to his family and friends as D’Arcy. He was one of five children born to Thomas William and Mary Ellen Baker of Cecil Street, East Warwick. He received his schooling at St Mary’s Primary School and the Christian brother College and then undertook one year’s study at the Warwick State High School.

D’Arcy continued to take an interest in the schools he attended and was a member of both the Christian Brothers Old Boys Association and the Warwick State High Schools past Student’s Association. He enjoyed swimming and playing hockey even after he left school.

D’Arcy took a job with the Railway Department where he worked as a clerk. He was a member of the 25th Battalion Militia but when the Japanese entered the Second World War, he gained his Commission as a Lieutenant and remained with the 25th Battalion.

D’Arcy saw service at Milne Bay as a platoon commander in C Company. After a spell back in Australia the unit once again left for Papua New Guinea. This time they performed Garrison duties at Port Moresby from July to November 1944.

D’Arcy returned to Australia in early 1944 to attend an Officer’s school. He completed his studies and qualified for the rank of Captain.

Before he received his official promotion he planned to spend his leave with his parents in Warwick. Unfortunately he suffered an attack of appendicitis and died from complications from peritonitis on August 31, 1944 at Greenslopes Military Hospital in Brisbane.

Read about Southern Downs Military History here.