The Other Twin- Tom Hingerty 1923-1993

Thomas Patrick Hingerty was born 20 minutes after his twin brother John William Hingerty on 23rd December 2023 in Temora, New South Wales.

Tom was named for his paternal grandfather Thomas Joseph Hingerty (1868-1940).

Tom and Jack were the first born of Francis Patrick Hingerty (1893-1946) and Margaret Jane (Peggy) Molony (1891-1980).

Their mother Peggy used to tell the story that when she was heavily pregnant with the twins her feet were so swollen that the only footwear she could fit into was a pair of men's slippers. She walked up to the hospital in those slippers when she went into labour with the twins.

The twins were soon joined by their younger brother Ted (Edward Francis 1926-2006) in April 1926. Ted was twin to a still born female.

Three little boys under three years old must have been quite a handful for Peggy. Her younger sister Mel (Imelda Molony 1907-1999) travelled up from her hometown of Grahamstown (Adelong) to help her older sister. Mel remained with the family until her marriage in Temora in 1935.

Army Service

After leaving school, Tom worked as a salesman at Meaghers Store in Temora.

On 21 July 1942 at the age of 18 7/12 in Sylvania, a suburb of Sydney, Tom signed up for the army. He had already served in the CMF (Civilian Military Forces) reaching the rank of Sargeant.

On his Attestation Papers he is listed as single, a shop assistant having completed three years of high school education at St Anne's Catholic School in Temora.

Tom (NX140137) served from 10 July 1943 until 22 June 1944 and spent time in NSW then moving on to Darwin (10 July 1943-22 June 1944) which was classed as an active war zone at the time.

In February 1942 Darwin was attacked by 188 Japanese aircraft dropping more bombs in that one attack than were dropped on Pearl Harbour. Between February 1942 and November 1943 Darwin was attacked 64 times.

Tom's main duties were as a storeman in an anti tank unit and he reached the rank of Corporal.

Tom was Demobilised 23 January 1946. At this time he was listed as married, living at Mosman, 5ft 8" tall and 21 years 9 months old.

Marriage

On 6th January 1945 Tom married Hazel Elizabeth Savage in Mosman, Sydney. Tom's twin brother Jack was the Best Man. I assume the Maid of Honour was Hazel's sister Margaret.

Their engagement had been announced in the Sydney Morning Herald on Saturday 8 July 1944.

Tom was Roman Catholic and Hazel was Presbyterian. Their marriage caused a bit of a stir in the family in those sectarian times.

Hazel (NF409785) had joined the Australian Womens Army Service at Paddington in Sydney on 5 July 1942. She was single, living in Mosman, a commercial artist aged 19 years and 5 months. She served in the Signals Corp in NSW, Queensland and Victoria.

Hazel was Demobilised 9 November 1945. At that time she was listed as married and living at Mosman.

I do not know how, when or where Tom and Hazel met. Please contact me if you know this part of their story. There are a few photos of Tom, Hazel and my father Jack taken in Sydney. The photos seem to have been taken before the wedding (no wedding ring on Hazel's left hand)...did they meet in Sydney????

Residences and Emloyment

Tom and Hazel initially lived with Hazel's parents in Mosman but by 1954 they had moved to Flat 4/177 Walker St North Sydney where they lived for many years. On or about 1977 they built their split level dream home at 24 Wongala Ave Elanora Heights and lived there until their deaths- Hazel 1987, Tom 1993.

Tom worked at O'Brien Glass for many years beginning as a clerk and progressing to Manager throughout his time with the company.

Model Planes

Throughout his life Tom had an interest in building and flying model airplanes.

Tom's cousin Peter remembers Tom's impressive collection of balsa wood planes hanging from his bedroom ceiling before he signed up for the army. His niece Mary Anne also remembers that his study at Wongala Ave was full of 'beautiful large wing-span planes, materials and radio controlled items.'

Tom was interested in both glider and powered model planes and was a member of a flying club for many years. He held the Australian model sailplane endurance record for a very long time.

Roderick Stuart Hingerty

Peggy and Rod

Roderick Stuart Hingerty was born 24 October 1946.

He was the only child of Tom and Hazel.

Rod was a blonde haired, blue eyed surfer boy who had grown up on the beach.

On Sunday morning 22 August 1965, tragedy struck. A drunken driver drove into the car Rod and his girlfriend were driving in. Rod was killed instantly and his girlfriend seriously injured. The other driver escaped unhurt.