World War One Service
Veteran Details
Regimental number |
4063 |
Place of birth |
Hobart Tasmania |
Religion |
Roman Catholic |
Occupation |
Farmer |
Address |
Dysart, Tasmania |
Marital status |
Single |
Age at embarkation |
23 |
Next of kin |
Father, T McTye, Dysart, Tasmania |
Enlistment date |
30 August 1915 |
Rank on enlistment |
Private |
Unit name |
15th Battalion, 12th Reinforcement |
AWM Embarkation Roll number |
23/32/2 |
Embarkation details |
Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT RMS Orontes on 24 November 1915 |
Rank from Nominal Roll |
Lance Corporal |
Unit from Nominal Roll |
12th Machine Gun Company |
Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
distinguished Conduct medal (Altered from Victoria Cross)
Recommendation date: "Unspecified"
|
Fate |
Returned to Australia 16 March 1918 |
Miscellaneous information from
cemetery records |
Plaque in Hobart Garden of Remembrance |
Medals |
Distinguished Conduct Medal
'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He took his machine gun forward with the attack, and established it in a commanding position in front of the captured ground, holding his position all day under the heaviest shelling and machine gun fire. Later, the enemy in counter attacking threatened to cut off the battalion which he was covering, but by skilful handling of his gun he held up the enemy's advance and successfully covered a withdrawal, remaining till the last man had left and all his ammunition was exhausted, though he was severely wounded. His courage and self sacrifice undoubtedly saved many lives, and were of the utmost value in a very critical situation.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 110
Date: 25 July 1918
|
Date of death |
24 May 1973 |
Source: The AIF Project - UNSW Canberra at the Australian Defence Force Academy: https://aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=205285
Link to First World War Nominal Roll: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R2462974
Link to Discovering ANZACS site at the National Archives of Australia: Site has been decommissioned - Notification at: https://www.naa.gov.au/help-your-research/discovering-anzacs - however we note that a "innovative new digital experiences" site will be commissioned soon.
Link to The AIF Project - UNSW Canberra at the Australian Defence Force Academy: https://aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=205285
Honours: Distinguished Conduct Medal : 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.'
Recommendation date: Not specified.
Source: Commonwealth Gazette No. 110 Date: 25 July 1918, Page 1591.
Link: https://www.legislation.gov.au/gazettes/historic/1918
Source: The Australian Honours database: https://www.legislation.gov.au/content/HistoricGazettes1918
Link to the Australian Honours database: https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1068298
Veteran Dedication: LVRSL Dawn Service 2024:
Dawn service 2024 Thomas Martin McTye
The Lenah Valley RSL Dawn Service is dedicated to Thomas “Tom” Martin McTye – DCM, Regimental number: - 4063.
Tom was born on the 18 September 1892 at Kempton, Tasmania, the son of Thomas and Martha McTye.
Tom told his grandson “Lindsay” how in 1915, while working as a labourer on the railway just outside of Westerway, he had a disagreement with his foreman, he then quit his job and took the next train to Hobart to join the Forces.
Tom enlisted at Claremont, Tasmania on the 30 August 1915, he was 22 years and 11 months of age, and was allocated to the 12/15th Battalion. He stated that his occupation was as a labourer. On the 22 December 1915 Tom and his battalion arrived at Suez. By the 12 June 1916 he was 7 miles from the Ypres Front.
Tom kept a diary in which he wrote of his experiences from the day of his enlistment to the day of his discharge.
The diary was hit by shrapnel while in the top pocket of Tom’s uniform.
He mentions in the diary about the terrible heat, getting badly sunburnt, mud up to his knees and large rats while in the trenches. When he went into the front-line trenches, they were full of dead men, he mentions it was “An awful sight”. He wrote that they had no water or tea.
Captain D.S. Martin recommended that Lance Corporal Thomas McTye, of the 12th Machine company, be awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on the 13 October 1917.
This is what he wrote:
"On the 13 October 1917, East of Zonnebeke in Belgium, his battalion was ordered to attack over open ground.
He took his machine gun forward with the attack and established it in a commanding position in front of the captured ground, holding his position all day under the heaviest shelling and machine gun fire. Later the enemy in counter-attacking threatened to cut off the battalion which he was covering, but by skilful handling of his gun he held up the enemy’s advance and successfully covered a withdrawal, remaining till the last man had left and all his ammunition was exhausted, though he was severely wounded.
His courage and self-sacrifice undoubtedly saved many lives and were of the utmost value in a very critical situation."
Tom did not receive the VC but was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal by His Majesty the King for “gallantry and distinguished service in the field”.
The wounds to his leg prevented Tom from returning to his unit in France and he return to Australia on board the A62 ‘Wandilla’ leaving England on the 21 March 1918.
Tom passed away on the 24 May 1973, at Hobart, Tasmania, aged 80 years.
For his invaluable service to Australia, the local community and the Lenah Valley RSL we heartily thank you.
Source: Adele McTye
