Thomas Gerismo Wilkins was a 21 year old carpenter from Ballarat when he enlisted in the 8th Infantry Battalion on 1 August 1914. His Regimental No. was 295. He had been born in Ballarat and was unmarried. He was transferred to the 60th Infantry Battalion and promoted to Company Quarter Master Sergeant, an important administrative position.
The battalion was embroiled in its first battle on the Western Front without a æwarm up' period in a quiet sector. Its first battle was at Fromelles- a disaster. It was poorly planned and launched in daylight across open ground. It was a disaster for the battalion, for it suffered 757 casualties. Among those killed that day was Sergeant Thomas Wilkins. He is buried in Ration Farm Cemetery, La Chappelle D'Armentieres, France. Tree 27, an elm, was planted by Miss A Grose, a 'Lucas Girl', on 4th June 1917.