Thomas McAvoy was born to John and Margaret McAvoy at 73 Maitland Street, Glasgow on II th December 1909.   At 18 years of age, he enlisted in the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders on 30th September 1927.   After seven years service, he returned to Glasgow in March 1935 when he transferred on to the Reserve.   Two years later was called up again for the operational tour in Palestine with the Green Howards.
2926329 Private Thomas McAvoy was awarded the EGM for bravery in Palestine on 15th March 1939.
Whilst on leave, still recovering from his burns received in the fire at Jinasfut Camp, Tommy McAvoy married Helen O'Connor at the RC Church of the Sacred Heart in Glasgow on 3rd June 1939.   He served with the 1st Battalion The Green Howards for three years until August 1942 before transferring to the Duke of Wellington's Regiment and then, three months later, to the Durham Light Infantry, with whom he fought throughout the North African and Italian Campaigns.   He was eventually discharged on completion of his engagement on 1st June 1946 and once more placed on the Army Reserve.
At the age of 37 years, Tommy managed to get a job in the General Post Office and find residence in the Spring Burn region of Glasgow.   When Tommy McAvoy was mugged in Glasgow in November 1975, he was badly shaken.   He had a heart attack at the age of 67 years, gave up drink and retired from his new job at the Sheriff's Court six months later.   He sold his George Cross to his friend Matthew Taylor in order to use the money to furnish his home on the 23rd floor of a block of flats on Ballygrayhill Road.   He seldom left the flat except to meet old comrades.   Eventually, he was taken to Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow, where he died of cardiac failure on 20th May 1977, aged 68 years.
The funeral service was held on 24th May in the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary on Broomfield Road in Glasgow.   There were representatives from the Cameron Highlanders, the Green Howards, the VC & GC Association, the Post Office and the Sheriff's Court.   As they left the church for Maryhill Crematorium nearby, a lone piper played a lament over the coffin draped in the Cameron of Erracht tartan, with McAvoy's George Cross and campaign medals on top.