Veteran Story: Thomas aka Ahehim ABDULLAH was born at Tumut NSW on 8/04/1901. His parents were James ABDULLAH and Eliza Martha SHEPPARD. He was working as a farmer and living in Casino when he enlisted at Lismore NSW on 21/08/1917. He was described as 18 years and 4 months old, 5 feet 7.7/12 inches tall, weighed 11 stone 12 lbs, a dark complexion, grey eyes and dark brown hair. He was assigned official No; 5228 and joined the 15th Reinforcements of the 31st Battalion. On 2 March 1918 he embarked from Sydney NSW aboard the RMS Ormonde troopship travelling overseas and arrived in Suez, Egypt on 4 April 1918 and was taken on strength at the Australian Camp in Moascar. By 10 April 1018 he had contracted Measles and was evacuated to a segregation camp. After spending 7 days at that camp he was then transferred to the Government Hospital in Suez and admitted with Post Meningitis Cephalgia. On 27 April 1918 he was discharged to duty and transferred to Port Tewfek for embarkation overseas, disembarking at Southampton, England on 15 May 1918. As with all Australians arriving in England, he then went to the training camp at Codford. In late June he became ill again spending three days in camp hospital. It was after he discharged from hospital that was charged with ‘Insolence to a superior officer” and lost 7 days pay as a result. Between August 1918 and December 1918, he remained at the training camp. On 9 December 1918 he embarked aboard H T Leicestershire’ after being diagnosed with ‘Defective vision”. He arrived back in Australia, disembarking at Melbourne and travelling up to his Brisbane to be discharged medically unfit on 27 February 1919. Thomas died on 28/09/1968 and is buried at Lismore NSW. Having not seen any active service he was awarded the British War Medal (32682) for his service in England. On 10 February 1923 he married Mavis Evelyn Young at St Marks Church of England in Casino NSW. The couple had 5 children during their marriage and remained living at Casino NSW. Thomas died at Casino on 26 September 1968 and is buried at the Casino Lawn Cemetery.
