Thomas Vernon Monks was born on the 9th March 1889, the second eldest boy, at Bundaberry, Queensland, Australia the son of John, born 14th April 1864, [son of Thomas and Catherine, nee Cassidy, Monks], and Mary [nee Shaw], born 14th April 1867, both born at Felling. John Monks arrived in Queensland on the 9th December 1885 aboard the Duke of Argyll, as part of the Queensland Assisted Passage Program. At this time Australia had not been established and Queensland was an independent colony.

Mary followed about a year later arriving at Queensland on the 17th November 1886, aboard the Juma.

By 1890, they had returned to the North East and were residing at 90 Ferry Street, Jarrow, Durham, England with their two eldest boys Frederick Shaw and Thomas Vernon Monks born 9th March 1889.

Thomas was baptised at the Our Lady and St Columba Church in Wallsend on the 28th October 1892.

Mary Shaw was the daughter of Joshua and Anne nee Rogan, Shaw of South Shields, and she was the second eldest of six children, 2 girls and 4 boys.

John who was a Joiner, and Mary were married in Australia on the 31st December 1886. John was also a member of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners from the 11th March 1895, when he was 29 years and 10 months old.

The other children were Frederick Shaw Monks, Raymond born Jarrow, 20th June 1891, died 1953, Roland John Monks, born 1893, died 26th April 1968, in Salisbury, Queensland, Australia, [possible emigrated to Australia about 1924], Philip Monks born 30th January 1896, [married a Doris born 4th December 1898], resided in 1939 at 58 Chapelhill Road, Wallasley, Cheshire, with three children, Hilda Monks, born 1899, Winifred born 1902, Mary [the younger] born 7th October 1903, married an Elias, Wilfred born 1908, [he married a Cecilia Smith, born 13th November 1910, and they emigrated to Queensland on the Maloja, departing on the 1st October 1949, Wilfred lived in the Melbourne seaside suburbs of Sandringham and Beaumaris. Wilfred died in 1988 aged 80]. Another three children died.

Roland John Monks, an apprentice Marine Engineer at North East Marine Engineering works at Wallsend, was in 1911, residing at 38 Park Road, Wallsend, with his Grandmother Annie Shaw and three of her children, John, [Manager of a Billiard Room at Wallsend Social Club], Joseph, [a Marine Engineer at North East Marine Engineering works], and Elizabeth, [certified Assistant Teacher for the Wallsend Education Committee]. Roland John Monks volunteered for the Royal Engineers Northumbrian Division Territorial Force on the 18th April 1910, at the age of 17 years at Wallsend. Service nu 624 He was 5 feet 5 inches tall. Given the rank Sapper. Roland was in the 2nd Northumberland Field Company when his engagement was terminated after 4 years of service 17th April 1914. He had attended 4 annual camps, Rothbury in 1910, Featherstone Park 1911, Hornsea 1912 and Ripon 1913.

Thomas Vernon was 5 feet nine inches tall, blue eyes, grey hair with a fresh complexion. He was employed by the Furness Whitby Company. In May 1911, he was the 3rd Engineer aboard the Norhilda ship number 127079.

Thomas Vernon Monks had returned to the UK, age 60 from Canada to Southampton on-board the 'Aquitania' ship number 135583, on the 22nd September 1949, he served in World War 1 service number 684826 in the Merchant Navy.

In 1919 he married Violet Spence [nee Sweeney]. He finally retired from the Merchant Navy on the 13th June 1952 after over 50 years at sea. He died on the 18th October 1961 at the Edgware General Hospital leaving his widow Violet Spence £3084 7s 7d in his will. He was residing at 101 Gladstone Park Gardens, Cricklewood, Middlesex.