DAVID, Thomas Arthur (1886-1961)
Thomas Arthur David was born on the 4 January 1886 and was the son of John Gomer David and Elizabeth nee MacLeod. He was educated at Geelong College, entering as a boarder in 1905, and subsequently playing sport with 1st Football Team in 1905 and the 1st Cricket XI in 1906. His address at enrolment was Rosedale. He gained 1st prize for Latin in 5th Form A in 1907.
It is probably this same ‘Arthur’ David who appears in the Old Boys’ Football Team of 1909. Pegasus in April, 1909 reported that T A David, among a group of other Old Collegians, had been appointed a lieutenant on probation in the recently formed Senior Cadet Battalion in Geelong. It is possibly this same person listed as Captain David in charge of the parade of the Junior Cadet Companies of Geelong College and Geelong Grammar at Kardinia Park, Geelong on Empire Day.
‘Arthur’ David also seems to have been a talented singer as Pegasus in 1909 also records during the OGCA dinner, ‘songs were given by Mr A David who was encored’ . In October Pegasus, Mr T A David ‘sang one of his rollicking songs, and was deservedly encored’ He also sang at the Mid-Winter concert in 1909 and at Norman Morrison’s funeral service at St George’s Church on 21 November, 1909. Arthur David continued to sing at a variety of College events and even after he returned from War Service was noted as singing with the Old Collegians’ Choir.
He was awarded a BA at The University of Melbourne, and then completed a Diploma of Education. He taught at Swinburne Technical College, until he enlisted in the AIF on 29 September 1915, as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 20th Australian Army Service Corps. He embarked on 18 November 1915 on HMAT A34 Persic, arriving in Egypt on 1 February 1916, to a posting to 10th Company, Australian Army Service Corps. He was in France on 18 August, and posted to 18th Company AASC on 18 May 1917.
Promoted to Captain and posted to 29th Company AASC on 1 September, he then transferred as Education Officer to 5th Division Train from November 1918 until May 1919. From May till September 1919 he was on non-military employment, inquiring into technical education in England. He was demobilised on 7 April 1920.
His obituary in Pegasus in June 1961 recounted his career: ‘Thomas Arthur David died in Melbourne on January 4 at the age of 75. Mr David graduated in arts at the Melbourne University, and held the diploma of education. After a time in the Education Department, during which he was headmaster of the Geelong Junior Technical School, he undertook a career in accountancy, having completed a brilliant course in that subject. In partnership with his brother, he conducted a practice in Geelong. During the First World War, he attained the rank of Captain, and saw service in Egypt and France. He was one of the foundation members of the Geelong Legacy Club. Mr. David's other interests included active membership of St. Giles Presbyterian Church in Geelong, service on the committee of the Geelong Hospital, and membership of the council of the Gordon Institute of Technology. His sporting interests included cricket, football and bowls. Mr. David was a member of the committee of the OGCA., and held the position of Assistant Secretary-Treasurer for some years.’
He died in 1961.
His brother, John McLeod David (1890-1949), was also educated at Geelong College.
Sources: Geelong Collegians at the Great War compiled by James Affleck p165 (citing The University of Melbourne: Record of Active Service of Teachers, Graduates, Undergraduates, Officers and Servants (1926); Pegasus; National Archives); Pegasus April 1909 p33; Pegasus June, 1909 p24, p29 p40; Pegasus October 1909 p45, p46; Pegasus December 1909 p14; Pegasus September 1933 p53; Pegasus June 1961 p69.