Thomas James Partington was born in Ballarat and was a Blacksmith when he enlisted in the 8th Light Horse Regiment, B Squadron on 14 September 1914 at the age of 21. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A16 Star Of Victoria on 25 February 1915. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on 24 September 1915 and to Company Corporal a month later before proceeding to Alexandria aboard the H.M.T Caledonia. He received another promotion to Sergeant with teh 8th Light Horse Regiment on 22 February 1916 and aside from a bout of tonsillitis managed to escape serious or injury during his tour of duty. He proceeded to Australia at Suez aboard the H. T. Berrima on 16 January 1919.
Tree No. 549