Thomas Eastick

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Eastick (second right) views a homemade radio constructed by prisoners at the Batu Lintang POW/internment camp.
Eastick (second right) views a homemade radio constructed by prisoners at the Batu Lintang POW/internment camp.

Sir Thomas Charles Eastick, CMG, DSO, ED, 3 May 1900–1988, was an Australian soldier. Eastick rose to the rank of temporary Brigadier, during World War II, and was military governor of Sarawak 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. From November 1, 1939, as a Lieutenant Colonel, he commanded the 13th Field Brigade, RAA. From April 26, 1940 he commanded the 2/7th Field Regiment, and led it during the North African campaign, including the Battle of El Alamein. Eastick was Mentioned in Despatches on December 15, 1942.[1] On February 18, 1943 he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO).[2]

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 of Borneo. Eastick oversaw the liberation and repatriation of Allied prisoners of war and internees in Sarawak, including the large Batu Lintang camp. He was military governor of Sarawak from September 10, 1945 until January 1946, when the territory returned to civilian rule. Eastick was subsequently made a Companion of the Star of Sarawak, by the last White Rajah of Sarawak, Charles Vyner Brooke.

Eastick left the army on February 27, 1946 with the substantive rank of Colonel.

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.[3][4]

The announcement of Eastick's knighthood was made in the 1970 New Year Honours List.[5] It was conferred on him by Queen Elizabeth II in person on 24 April 1970, at Government House, Canberra.[6]

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 35821, pages 5437–5446, 11 December 1942. Retrieved on 2008-01-14.
  2. ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 35908, page 863, 16 February 1943. Retrieved on 2008-01-14.
  3. ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 39863, page 2944, 26 May 1953. Retrieved on 2008-01-14.
  4. ^ http://www.woomera.com.au/community/gibber_gabber/2006/21_Apr_06.pdf
  5. ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 44999, page 2, 30 December 1969. Retrieved on 2008-01-14.
  6. ^ London Gazette: no. 45098, page 5343, 12 May 1970. Retrieved on 2008-01-14.

[edit] References/external links