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Born in the mid-north town of Burra on the 21st February 1919, Steve was the oldest son of Irene Maud and Stephen John Fitzgerald. He was given three names, Stephen Edward John. (The Edward was in memory of a 22-year-old uncle, brother of his father, who died in 1914.) Steve had three other brothers, twins, Norman Leslie and Ronald Bruce and the youngest, Clyde. Unfortunately, when young Clyde was just three years old, he was kicked by a horse, contracted spinal tuberculosis and was in hospital until about 15. Inevitably, it was challenging for him to adjust for ‘normal life’. (In later years, Norman was a strong supporter of this young brother.)
Stephen, known as Steve, was just six years old when his 37-year-old father, who worked for the South Australian Railways, died in December ’27. He was buried with his mother in the Catholic section of the West Terrace Cemetery. Steve’s mother later married again, becoming Mrs L.M. Lines.
Steve had joined the Militia as S4331 but having just turned 21, was one of the early enlistees on the 29th June ’40 as SX6964. His early days were spent in the pavilions of what is now the Royal Adelaide Show Grounds, before the men moved to Woodside for training. Enlisting at the same time was Ron (Peter) Jackson from Cowell who had the preceding number SX6963. The two became close friends. During pre-embarkation leave, Steve returned to Burra in September ’40 where a huge farewell was organised for the five local Burra boys who had enlisted and were about to head overseas. Of the five, besides Steve, two were Lines brothers, SX6249 William George in the 2/10th and SX6195 Ronald in the 2/43rd, SX6741 Clyde Moore and 33-year-old bootmaker, SX2294 Ken Gebhardt. Much was made of the young men returning home and only remembering the best of their experiences. The Burra Comforts Funds members presented each guest with a substantial parcel, but before doing so wished them the very best of health and luck. Similarly, the Burra Soldiers' Farewell Committee, presented each guest with a parcel, but before doing so said that he knew each one of them. All were Burra born and bred and four out of the five of them were all from practically the one home. The names they bore were as old as Burra itself, and he knew their parents and their grandparents. Certainly, they had caused the older people of the town some anxiety with their misdemeanours on occasions, but despite all that they were on the job when they are wanted, and it was with a great deal of pleasure that he would present each with a gift from the people of Burra. The Burra Record reported that ‘Pte. S. Fitzgerald, who received a useful belt fitted with numerous pockets, said that little money would be stored there as he was only a bob a day tourist, but it would be useful otherwise. He also asked Mrs. Smith to convey his thanks to the members of the F.F.C. Fund and thanked Mr. Riggs and his committee for their gift. The F.F.C.F. with others were, he said, doing good work and the soldiers appreciated it. He would do his utmost also to keep up the high merit of the A.I.F. and raised a laugh when he told the returned men present, they would do that as the Second A.I.F. were a better lot than the First. Steve concluded by again expressing his gratitude to all who had made the send-off so enjoyable. They would never forget it.’
Steve then sailed on the Stratheden for the Middle East on the 7th November 1940 arriving on January 3rd, ‘41. His leadership skills were soon rewarded with a promotion to Sergeant. Ron Jackson wrote home with snippets of information, in one explaining that “I have had a few close shaves lately. We had a fire in our weapon pit amongst about 80 bombs, and not one went off. Another time a bomb came out of the mortar and lobbed about three yards away. Lucky for us it didn't go off or I wouldn't be writing this.”
The two were to become part of the legendary Rats of Tobruk – intended to be a derogatory term, it was quickly adopted by the soldiers as a ‘badge of honour’ which was quickly embraced.
Conditions were ever-changing and the fighting continuous. In October ’42, Montgomery had ordered the 9th Battalion to attack northward in what was to be relentless fighting in in a massive assault to ambitiously take the strategic position of Trig 29.John Glenn in Tobruk to Tarakan describes the carnage.
‘The attack continued, however, without pause…it was only after hard fighting, with heavy casualties on both sides, that they were able to consolidate on their objective. The troops had never been more tired.. The 2/48th had stirred up a real hornets’ nest; from first light until nine o’clock the enemy turned all their fury on the Trig area, with particularly heavy fire on 29 itself, hiding the position in a cloud of dust and smoke.’
At El Alamein on the 25th October ’42, the 2/48th moved to the starting line in preparation for a charge to take Trig 29. John Glenn described how ‘At exactly midnight the artillery opened up with a terrific barrage, giving D and A Companies the chance to move forward towards their objective, which they gained after heavy fighting. D Company had to fight every inch of the way then hold their position.’ He then described how they had just crossed the starting line when ‘a chance shell hit B Company truck that was loaded with mines. An ear shattering explosion dwarfed the sound of the guns into insignificance. Seven other trucks, all ladened with mines, had been set off. The whole area became a ghastly raging inferno. As trucks burned and exploded, a great wall of fire shot into the sky. The concussion was terrific. Steve Fitzgerald, who was bringing up the mortar truck, which was ladened with bombs, was seventy or so yards behind the trucks when the first one went off. His vehicle rocked in the blast, and blinded by the flash, he was thrown clean out of it and onto the ground.’ Two thousand mines went up in the explosion; all the war equipment of both B and D Companies was destroyed. Steve immediately returned to duty and was not listed amongst the wounded. A close friend, Harold Bridges SX7100, however was listed as one of the injured. He was to survive the war and be best man at Steve’s wedding.
Then ‘at zero hour 1 a.m. 31st October, the artillery opened up with a receding barrage – one that creeps back on itself. The attack was towards the guns themselves, the enemy being between troops and the guns…one gun was landing shells right amongst the men… As soon as the main road was reached the two leading companies came under murderous fire, and, from then until they reached the objective, 2,250 yards from the start line, the whole advance was fought in fierce hand to hand fighting.’ It was under these conditions that 27 year old Private Ronald Jackson was killed. It was challenging for the survivors of the horrific fighting to immediately retrieve their fallen men, but they eventually did. ‘Death would have reaped a rich harvest of gallant man. And of the 2/48th Battalion only forty-one weary troops would remain in the field.’
In the ensuing years Ron continued to be remembered by Steve.
Advertiser Saturday 30 October 1943, JACKSON Loving memory of our pal Pte Ron (Peter) Jackson, killed in action El Alamein Oct 31st. To be with us in the same old way would be our dearest wish today. Inserted by Cpl Steve Fitzgerald and pals.
Advertiser Tuesday 31 October 1944, JACKSON. —In memory of Ron (Peter) Jackson. 2/48th Battalion, killed at El Alamein. October 31. 1942.—Ever remembered by Sgt. Steve Fitzgerald and pals.
Advertiser October 1945, JACKSON. —In memory of Ron (Peter) Jackson, killed Oct. 31, El Alamein. In memory of a pal so true, One I won't forget my whole life through. —Inserted by Sgt. Steve FitzGerald.
In the meantime, Steve’s twin brothers both enlisted and eventually also served in the 2/48th Battalion. Ronald had been with the Militia as S21429, enlisting on his 21st birthday in March ’43 at Alice Springs as SX28904. He had a colourful background as a machinist, including losing the tips of his first and second fingers in a workplace accident in ’41. However, this was no barrier to serve. Despite a challenging service with numerous bouts of being AWOL and disrespect for superior officers, colourful language, and the subsequent loss of pay Ron rose to the rank of Lance Corporal, serving in Morotai and Tarakan. Those years also included numerous bouts of ill health, including hepatitis.
Ronald’s twin, Norman also enlisted in Alice Springs a month later, in April ’43 as SX29355. He had previously served in the Militia as S39429. By March ’42 he was promoted to Lance Corporal. He served in different states of Australia, closely resembling Ronald’s service, facing similar penalties, a Court Martial and warrant for his arrest. Like his twin, Norman, serving with the 2/48th leaving Morotai for Tarakan in April ’45 where he was appointed Lance Corporal
Steve was discharged on the 26th February ’46, Norman on the 29th March and Ron on the 17th April the same year. Steve had met a young Typist Stenographer, Gwendoline Jean Mongomery who served with the WAAF as 111561, employed in an explosives factory at Salisbury. She was discharged on the 25th April ’45 ‘on compassionate grounds’. She and Steve announced their engagement on the 10th January ’46. ‘The engagement is announced of Gwendoline Montgomery, ex WAAAF, only child of Mrs. Rodgers. of Adelaide, to Sgt. Stephen Fitzgerald, ATF ret, elder son of Mrs. L M. Lines, of Parkside. They married six days later in the Pirie Street Methodist Church in an evening ceremony. Steve chose SX7100 Private Harold Bridges from the 2/48th as his best man and his brother, Lance Corporal Norman as his groomsman.
The two welcomed their first child, Jeanette Kay in December that year and their son in September ’51.
By ‘47 the King officially approved 297 military awards to Australian officers, nurses and men, 29 of whom were South Australian, including a Military Medal to Steve for his ‘gallant and distinguished service during the Tarakan Campaign’. ‘Sgt. Stephen John Fitzgerald, MM, of Parkside, acting as observer for a section of mortars repeatedly crept ahead of the forward Infantry to direct fire. The infantry was able to capture enemy positions with comparatively light casualties due to his registration.’ The award was formally presented at Government House, Adelaide on the 20th November ’47.
Steve remained in the Army, serving at the Woodside Army Camp. In July ’52 he was fortunate to survive a crash on the road to Adelaide when a local farmer, travelling at speed at Verdun crossed into the oncoming traffic. Steve and a fellow soldier, Ronald O’Donnell were on a motor bike, with Steve as the pillion passenger. Both soldiers were thrown from the bike sustaining serious leg injuries, with Ronald losing the lower portion of his right leg.
By April ’65 Steve was appointed Warrant Officer Class Two,4331 with the Australian Corps of Signals. Two years later, Gwendoline was appointed Fourth Division Typist with the Army.
Steve married a second time in ‘62 to Elsie May Hargrave from Kadina. She pre-deceased Steve and died aged 54 in May ’65 and was buried at the Enfield Memorial Park Cemetery. The following year, 77-year-old Steve died on the 6th May 1996. He was buried at Centennial Park Cemetery, General AE, Path 12, Grave 853.
Aged 84 his first wife, Gwendoline died in October 2005 with her remains being in the Gungahlin Cemetery, Canberra. ‘Beloved mother, grandmother and Great Grandmother.’
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.