When Scott Tomlinson ran his eyes over Geelong's 2024 ANZAC Guernsey, there was a noticeable omission within the fine details of the design. 

Emblazoned on the back of the guernsey was the name of every Geelong footballer who had served their country, a list that comprised of 198 individuals from the Club's history. 

But the name that Scott was searching for, his Grandfather Bill Tomlinson, was nowhere to be found. 

"I was looking at the ANZAC jumper that Geelong Football Club produced a couple of months ago," Scott said. 

"I was looking for my grandfathers name, Bill Tomlinson who served in World War 2.

"I looked at the jumper and I could not find his name on the jumper, so I emailed the Club and the email got to you [Col Hutchinson]. That is how we got through so far."

The enquiry landed with Geelong's Statistics & History Consultant, Col Hutchinson who launched an in depth investigation into the matter. 

The result found that a case of mistaken birth date was to blame, with Bill Tomlinson actually born in 1923 rather than the previously believed 1927. Had he been born in 1927, Bill would have been too young to enlist in the Australian army. 

With the new found information coming to light, it gave the Geelong Football Club the chance to recognise and remember Bill for his incredible service to his country and to the Cats. 

Gary Tomlinson, son of Bill was also present to provide insight into the memories he has of his father. 

"I was at an age where I didn't actually get to see him play, even local footy which he played a fair bit of after being here," Gary said. 

"I do know that from having a kick in the paddock next door to the house, he was a beautiful left foot drop-kick even in his later years.

"He played most sports such as table tennis, tennis, cricket, the 1000 yard swim down at Rippleside and lawn bowls. If there was a bat and ball in any sport, he would have a go at it."

Bill Tomlinson was a terrific footballer, playing for Geelong's reserves team and featuring in seven senior games in 1946, while also winning the Under 18's Best and Fairest award for the Geelong region in his junior days. 

Prior to World War 2, Bill worked at a post office and a rope works on Pakington Street, before the war broke out and he was conscripted which saw him head to Darwin for service. 

Bill spent two years serving the Royal Australian Engineers right across the country and in 1945 was on a ship headed for Borneo, when the United States of America dropped the atomic bomb and ultimately ended the war. 

In 1946 while playing for Geelong, Tomlinson also helped out out the Heidelberg Hospital with soldiers that had returned from war. 

This Anzac Day, the Geelong Football Club remembers all those who served their country and made the ultimate sacrifice, including those who 198 individuals who also represented the Cats. 

Lest we forget.