Tom Pritchard, Australia’s last Rat of Tobruk, has died aged 102.

The World War II veteran was the the last direct link with the 14,000 Australian servicemen who held the Libyan port of Tobruk against the German Africa Corps in 1941, a vital battle for the Allied forces.

He died on Saturday, just shy of his 103rd birthday.

Born in Victoria in 1921, Pritchard enlisted in the army in 1940 despite lying about his age, and was assigned to the 2/5th Field Ambulance, which was eventually attached to the 18th Infantry Brigade.

He served as an ­ambulance attendant in the eight-month-long Siege of Tobruk, which is regarded as a stand-out battle for Australia’s soldiers.

Pritchard’s duties involved collecting wounded soldiers and taking them to the dressing stations and to the hospital at the harbour, the Rats of Tobruk Association said. 

“This was no mean feat, as it meant having to balance and hold onto 4 or 5 stretchers in the ambulance, in an effort to steady them, while travelling on terrible roads; a journey which would sometimes take an hour or two,” the association wrote. 

It said before his training, Pritchard admitted he could “barely stick a bandaid on”. 

The association, which was formed by the returned veterans looking for continued comradeship, said it was mourning the loss of Australia’s last Rat of Tobruk.

“We as an Association are extremely grateful to have had Tommy for so long yet we mourn his loss and the last direct linkage with some 14,000 Australian servicemen who served in Tobruk,” the post on Facebook read. 

“Tommy was a stalwart member of our association and a most humble veteran, having served with the 2/5th field ambulance throughout the middle east and the southwest pacific.” 

Secretary of the Rats of Tobruk Association Lachlan Gaylard said the Rats were a vital part of Australian history, speaking to ABC Radio Melbourne & Victoria.

A private family funeral will be held per Pritchard’s request, but a public memorial for all Rats of Tobruk will take place in Melbourne at a date to be advised, the association said. 

It said a condolence book will be made available at Tobruk House for members to sign.