BEDELLS Thomas Charles
Australian Army Born Cottesloe WA 28 February 1914 Died Nedlands WA 31 December 1989
Service No: WX14. Took part in the early campaigns in the desert and in Greece and Crete. After the Germans had taken Crete he escaped to North Africa with a party of about 80, mostly Australians and including a number of Western Australians. After a series of brushes with the enemy, including an Italian submarine which can only be described as high adventure, Tom finally made the African coast near Mersa Matruh, carrying three bullet wounds, one of which caused an infected foot, which put him out of action for nine months. Early (Pre-1950) Member. In civil life Tom was an accountant with T & G Insurances, and his sporting abilities were dominated by his interest in hockey. Prewar he represented the State in the 1938 Carnival in Adelaide, in the team which won the Noall Shield playing away from home – a feat not previously achieved. Post-war his interests concentrated on the administrative side, particularly umpiring in which field he achieved international status, umpiring Olympic matches in Tokyo in 1964 and Mexico in 1968. Joining Perth Legacy in 1948, Tom served faithfully for 27 years on various committees and as group leader until 1975 when he accepted reserve membership.
