About this objectFramed painting of 2 individual portraits of Jack and Keith in army uniform, including slouch hats. Plain blue backgrounds. Mounted with two oval mats cut into a green mount board. Framed with glass and wooden frame with gold trim. Brass plaques attached to bottom of portraits on the frame with "NX1231922
L/Sgt Edwin Keith TOMSETT
2 Australian Army Troops Coy AIF WW2" and "NX73011
Pte Jack TOMSETT
2/30 Batalion AIF POW WW2".
MakerAnne Marie Ingham
Medium and MaterialsAcrylic on canvas
Subject and Association DescriptionKeith and Jack Tomsett, whose father, James had served in World War 1 in the 53rd Battalion, grew up in Molong. Keith joined the Royal Australian Engineers, aged 29, and was appointed a Lance Corporal in November, 1941. He served in Australia and in New Guinea, a total of 1553 days. Keith died at Yeoval in 2002, aged 88.
Jack’s unit fought in Malaya, protecting the British and Indian troops retreating to Singapore and then, for ten days, in action attempting to prevent the Japanese crossing the causeway to the island. He was among 100,000 troops who became POWs and was in Changi and on the Burma Railway for 3 ½ years but was always reluctant to reveal the details of this experience.
Dedicated to Jack Tomsett
Service: AIF WW2
Service Number: NX73011
Date of Birth: 20 April 1918
Place of Birth: Molong, NSW
Date of Enlistment: 17 April 1941
Place of Enlistment: Paddington, NSW
Locality on Enlistment: Molong, NSW
Next of Kin: James Tomsett
Rank: Private
Date of Discharge: 14 December 1945
Posting at Discharge: 2/30 Infantry Battalion
POW: Yes
Dedicated to Edwin Keith
Tomsett
Service: Australian Army
Service Number: NX123192
Born: 20 June 1913
Place of Birth: Molong, NSW (N197825)
Date of Enlistment: 9 September 1942
Place of Enlistment: Narellan, NSW
Next of Kin: James Tomsett
Rank: Lance Sergeant
Posting at Discharge: 53rd Battalion
Date of Discharge: 10 January 1946