TRINNE, Ernest Gustav
| Service Number: | SX2639 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 2 May 1940, Wayville, South Australia |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | Not yet discovered |
| Born: | Kapunda, South Australia, 23 April 1906 |
| Home Town: | Renmark, Renmark Paringa, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Laborer |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Tobruk, Libya, 3 May 1941, aged 35 years |
| Cemetery: |
El Alamein War Cemetery Alamein Memorial, El Alamein War Cemetery, El Alamein, Marsa Matruh, Egypt |
| Memorials: | Adelaide WW2 Wall of Remembrance, Alamein Memorial (El Alamein), Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Kapunda District Honour Board, Kapunda and District Fallen Soldiers Monument, Renmark District Roll of Honour WW2 |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Private, SX2639 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 May 1940: | Enlisted Wayville, South Australia | |
| 6 May 1940: | Involvement Private, SX2639 | |
| 6 May 1940: | Involvement Private, SX2639 | |
| 6 May 1940: | Enlisted Wayville, SA | |
| 6 May 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Private, SX2639 |
Died helping a comrade
Ernest (Ernie) Gustave Trinne was assisting Evan "Tom" Thomas (QX5042, VX68452) back to allied lines when they were machine gunned. Both had been involved in the attack on the evening of the third of May to recapture post R7. During this attack Private Thomas had been blinded by grenade blast and lay in the dark until he heard the sound of a group including Private Trinne returning to allied lines. Private Trinnie had Evan hold onto his bayonet scabbard to guide him back until the group was machine gunned before they reached allied lines.
Private Thomas survived the machine gunning and the war. Later in his 90's Evan recounted the story of this evening to his sons and grandchildren. It was only then after one of his sons checked Australian War Memorial records, that Evan became aware that Private Trinne had been killed while assisting him.
Submitted 5 June 2016 by Justin Thomas
Biography contributed by Justin Thomas
The wounded comrade that Ernest Trinne was assisting at the time of his death was likely his acting section leader Evan Thomas (QX5042). Evan was unaware of Ern's death until aged in his 90's when he recounted this story of the evening of 3rd May to his son who then investigated what happened to Ern. Evan had been blinded by a grenade on an attack to retake post R7 and Ern was assisting him back to their lines (Evan being led by holding onto Ern's baynonet scabbard) when they were machine gunned and separated. Evan was surprised and saddened to discover that Ern had died.
Biography
SX2639 Ernest (Ernie) Gustave TRINNE
2/9 Battalion
1 of 6 brothers that served in WW2
According to the newspaper "Border Watch Mt Gambier" an article published on the 6th of September 1941
"Killed Trying To Save Wounded Comrade"
Information has been received by Mr Roy Trinne and Mrs R.Walden that their eldest brother.Private E Trinne (previously reported missing) was killed by enemy action while endeavouring to bring a wounded comrade to safety. Mr Roy Trinne has four other brothers in the fighting services.
Medals awarded:
1939-45 Star
Africa Star
British War Medal with oak-leaf (Mentioned in dispatches for bravery)
Australian WW2 Service medal
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