Robert Ernest Thomas was born in Bendigo, Victoria on 13 March 1910, the son of William Henry Thomas and Letitia (nee Waugh). He married Ada Millicent Curnow at Quarry Hill, Bendigo on 13 July 1940. She was born at Wedderburn, Victoria on 3 December 1915, the daughter of Vincent Curnow and Harriet (nee Brett). Her father was a great-grandson of Thomas and Ann Stone.
He joined the Royal Australian Air Force on 27 August 1941 and after completing an electrician’s course was employed as an electrical fitter, supervising the overhaul and repair of magnetos.
In making his application for enlistment he gave these interesting descriptions of his previous experience:
I have had some experience with radio–battery set construction etc–since 1925 and have followed its development with interest since that time. I have been trading as a radio dealer (part time) for the past six years and have sold & serviced approx 50 receivers–the majority of sets in this district.
After leaving school I was with my father, farming on his farm and had experience with tractors & farm machinery until I entered the employ of the Shire of East Loddon five years ago. My experience there was in road maintenance and supervision.
Application for Enlistment as an Airman.
Prior to his discharge on 28 November 1945 he made a statutory declaration giving this summary of his overseas experience:
I … do solemnly declare that I embarked from Townsville for New Guinea on 23/11/43 and that I disembarked at Townsville on the 7/7/45 after having served continuously outside Australia for that period.
Statutory Declaration
