- Thomas Eastick
Sir Thomas Charles Eastick CMG, DSO, ED (
3 May 1900 –1988) was an Australian soldier. Eastick rose to the rank of temporaryBrigadier , duringWorld War II , and was military governor ofSarawak in 1945-46.Eastick was born in
Hyde Park, South Australia . He was an engineer by profession and was living in Reade Park, SA when war broke out. He was married to Ruby Eastick.He served with the
Royal Australian Artillery (RAA) during World War II. FromNovember 1 1939 , as a Lieutenant Colonel, he commanded the 13th Field Brigade, RAA. FromApril 26 1940 he commanded the 2/7th Field Regiment, and led it during theNorth African campaign , including the Battle of El Alamein. Eastick wasMentioned in Despatches onDecember 15 1942 . [LondonGazette|issue=35821|supp=yes|startpage=5437|endpage=5446|date=11 December 1942 |accessdate=2008-01-14] OnFebruary 18 1943 he was awarded theDistinguished Service Order (DSO). [LondonGazette|issue=35908|supp=yes|startpage=863|date=16 February 1943 |accessdate=2008-01-14]In 1943, Eastick returned to Australia and on June 22, he was appointed commander of artillery for the 7th Division, during the
New Guinea campaign . In 1944, he assumed the same position with the 9th Division.By September 1945, Eastick had been appointed commander of
Kuching Force, a detachment of the 9th Division which supervised the Japanese surrender in the territory of Sarawak, on the island ofBorneo . Eastick oversaw the liberation and repatriation of Alliedprisoners of war and internees in Sarawak, including the largeBatu Lintang camp . He wasmilitary governor of Sarawak fromSeptember 10 1945 until January 1946, when the territory returned to civilian rule. Eastick was subsequently made a Companion of theStar of Sarawak , by the last White Rajah of Sarawak,Charles Vyner Brooke .Eastick left the army on
February 27 1946 with the substantive rank ofColonel .He was later president of the RSL (the main Australian veterans' organisation) in South Australia, and was appointed
Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in the 1953 Coronation Honours List for his work with this organisation. [LondonGazette|issue=39863|supp=yes|startpage=2944|date=26 May 1953 |accessdate=2008-01-14] [http://www.woomera.com.au/community/gibber_gabber/2006/21_Apr_06.pdf]The announcement of Eastick's knighthood was made in the 1970
New Year Honours List. [LondonGazette|issue=44999|supp=yes|startpage=2|date=30 December 1969 |accessdate=2008-01-14] It was conferred on him byQueen Elizabeth II in person on24 April 1970 , atGovernment House, Canberra . [LondonGazette|issue=45098|startpage=5343|date=12 May 1970 |accessdate=2008-01-14]Notes
References/external links
* [http://www.awm.gov.au/honours/honours/person.asp?p=SX3295 Australian War Memorial, "Honours and awards (gazetted) Thomas Charles Eastick"] Access date: April 4, 2007.
* [http://www.ww2roll.gov.au/script/veteran.asp?ServiceID=A&VeteranID=845312#summary1 Australian World War Two Nominal Roll, "EASTICK, THOMAS CHARLES"] Access date: April 4, 2007.
* [http://www.generals.dk/general/Eastick/Sir_Thomas_Charles/Australia.html generals.dk "Eastick, Sir Thomas Charles, Brigadier (1900 – 1988)"] Access date: April 4, 2007.
* [http://www.ordersofbattle.com/PersonData.aspx?PerX=526791 ordersofbattle.com, "Thomas Charles Eastick"] Access date: April 4, 2007.
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