Hi Cando,
Thanks for your reply.
The common name makes it very hard. I tried to narrow down Thomas's death by approximate year, occupation and the area he was last known to be. I have found the Newspaper death notices of his wife Annie, his son Arthur, His brother William Maxwell but absolutely nothing for Thomas. Arthur Ernest would have been alive when Thomas died so I can't understand why I can't find anything.
I have been researching my tree for about 8 years, on Mum and Dad's side and have many folders of B,D,M certs, census, Newspaper notices, photos, WWI & WWII service records, electoral roll etc. I have also been lucky enough to have descendants read the various advertisements in newspapers which has helped a great deal.
I have checked all over Australia for Thomas's death and I'm now thinking he may have gone back to England. There was also family in San Fran. USA.
No, I didn't know about the transcriptions agent to be honest. I will have a read through. Thank you for the information and link.
I think I do have that cert you refer to below in 1887 but will have to go through my file of Wrong Thomas Brown certs and let you know

Regards,
Michelle