General News
8 July, 2024
Tom Binns — a life of opportunity
Upon arrival, Tom met with one of Leslie’s old friends, Commodore Sir James Bisset who was the fifth officer on the RMS Carpathia when the liner saved 705 people on board the RMS Titanic
From sailing the seas, and working behind the camera, to even owning a private railway — local resident Tom Binns has lived an extraordinary life.
While growing up, Tom had one true passion, much to the surprise of his father, Brigadier General Leslie Binns.
“I stopped a 500 year army tradition in my father’s family by wanting to go to sea,” he said.
“That caused a few issues with my father for a while but then he realised and went out to help me to become a successful officer as much as possible.”
To help his son’s ambitions, Leslie took Tom on a trip to England in 1950, flying on the Qantas empire flying boat.
Upon arrival, Tom met with one of Leslie’s old friends, Commodore Sir James Bisset who was the fifth officer on the RMS Carpathia when the liner saved 705 people on board the RMS Titanic.
James took the pair on board the RMS Aquitania, an experience Tom said he would never forget.
“Boarding the RMS Aquitania, the last of the four funnel Atlantic liners, built around the same time as the RMS Titanic and RMS Olympic was an unbelievable experience,” he said.
While on the RMS Aquitania, Tom was also introduced to Charles Lightoller, the second officer on the RMS Titanic and the only senior officer to survive the tragedy.
According to Tom, he was in complete awe listening to the stories of great ships and the dangers of travelling the North Atlantic.
“We talked about being at sea quite a bit and for the four years I knew Charles before he died, he was a sort of mentor to me,” he said.
“When I was 15, Charles introduced me to the fourth officer on the RMS Titanic, Joseph Boxhall, who survived and one of the radio operators. What I found out about what happened on the RMS Titanic from them was unbelievable.
“Charles also told me a story about a prank he did as the fourth officer on the SS Medic — they were berthed at Woolloomooloo in Sydney Harbour and one morning at around 4 am they managed to fire one of the cannons at Fort Denison on top of the Martello tower.”
After becoming a midshipman on the UK/Australia Royal Mail service, Tom joined his father on a trip to the Queensland coast in the hopes of joining an Australian coastal liner.
While he wasn’t able to get that opportunity, the QTQ Nine television station was in its infancy, with their first air date on August 16, 1959, presenting Tom with an opportunity.
“I was always told that if an opportunity presents itself you take full advantage of it,” he said.
“I quickly went from studio cameraman, to floor manager, to director of programs that went on the Nine network.
“The producers knew as an officer who served on great liners that I would be able to deal with a lot of situations.”
While enjoying his time in TV, Tom said that his heart remained with the sea.
“For some reason when I got relocated to Sydney, TCN Nine couldn’t fit me in so I thought I might as well go to sea,” he said.
“I managed to get on the RMS Queen Mary, a beautiful trans-atlantic ocean liner which was pretty hard I can assure you.
“I am so proud to say that I have served on the greatest liner of all time as a fifth officer.”
After his time on the RMS Queen Mary, Tom made his way back into TV, being assistant director on series such as Riptide and Homicide and assistant producer on Against the Wind and The Last Outlaw.
From 1985 to 1989, Tom conceived, owned and operated The Melbourne Limited, a privately owned steam train that provided a first class travel experience between Melbourne and regional Victorian towns.
“I’m happy with what I have been able to accomplish — I’m quite happy with some of the films and mini series I was a part of, but being fifth officer of the RMS Queen Mary is the highlight for me,” Tom said.
For more information aboutThe Melbourne Limited, visit themelbournelimited.com