Before Thomas Eales enlisted, he was a law clerk living in Lilydale.

Thomas enlisted on February 4, 1915, when he was only 19 years old. He left Australia in D Company, on HMAT Ulysses (A38) with the rank of Corporal. He was aboard the Southland, travelling to Gallipoli, when it was torpedoed.

He was wounded in Pozieres, France on August 5, 1916. In April 1917 he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for daring and valuable reconnaissance work. He had volunteered to go forward alone, and located an enemy machine gun, which was later silenced.

In August 1917, Thomas Eales was sent to Queens College Cambridge, England, for officer training and was promoted to 2^nd Lieutenant. He was wounded in France on October 14, 1917. On January 2, 1918 he was promoted to Lieutenant. On May 19, 1918, Thomas Eales was killed in action in France.

He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and the Victory Medal.