Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Steven was the surviving son of David Robert (Dave) and Grace Emily Buck. Previously, Samuel Malen was born on the 17 January ’21 but died ten months later on the 14th November at ‘Yelta’ Encounter Bay and was buried in the Victor Harbor Cemetery. Steven was born at North Kensington on the 11th May 1924, but just six months later tragedy again struck. His third sister, Olive Hart, died in the Children’s Hospital, aged just 7years and ten months. The family were devastated. Steven’s three older sisters were Neta Grace, Alice Merle and Bessie Lillian.
Steven spent time with the 3rd Infantry Training Battalion as S111532. His civilian employment was with General Motors Holden as a Machinist Improver in Farming until he was called up to serve in WWII on the 20th April ’43 at Woodside, just prior to his 19th birthday. He was given the number SX30687. Intensive training soon followed in Queensland with Steve initially allocated to the 2/13th Battalion. By May the following year, he had joined the 2/48th Battalion, soon after experiencing severe appendicitis and being hospitalised. In the humid conditions Steve contracted a high fever (Pyrexia of Unknown Origin). At the end of March ’45 a group portrait of the 13th Platoon was taken at Ravenshoe in Queensland just prior to the men leaving the next month from Townsville for Morotai and thence to Tarakan.
Having been in that war zone for just over a month, on the 24th May ’45 Steve was fortunate to survive an intense encounter which included a grenade attack, leaving him with shrapnel injuries to his head, a haematoma and a penetrating wound to his right forearm and left wrist. In his book Tobruk to Tarakan, John Glenn described that attack on Knoll 2 which was being blasted with napalm, firebombs and high explosives by our planes. “Under cover of this fire 16 Platoon of D Company traversed some extremely rugged country where a razor-back ridge made it impossible to deploy more than two men forward in the approach to Track Junction Knoll. Both this platoon and 17 Platoon, who had edged themselves forward, came under fire from the objective, and a section leader was killed.’ Highly decorated, Sgt Diver Derrick was killed just two days afterwards.
The Advertiser carried the brief summary at the end of May ’45 that ‘Mr. and Mrs. D. R. Buck, of Owen street, Seaton Park, have been advised that their only son, Pte. Steven R. Buck, was wounded in action at Tarakan on May 24. Pte. Buck was employed by General Motors-Holden's before his enlistment.’
The news was published in the Advertiser, June ’45. Those from the 2/48th included ‘Died Of Wounds SX7964 Lt. Thomas C. Derrick. VC. DCM Berri. SX17803 Pte. William Jack Giddings. Naracoorte. Dangerously Wounded. — SX30687 Pte Steven R. Buck, Seaton Park; SX15368 L-Cpl. John K. Walsh, Spalding. Wounded In Action.— SX7670 Pte. Colin R. Aplin, Mornington; SX15415 Cpl. Lindsay G. Bradford, Rose Park; SX19253 Pte. Geoffrey. F. Chapman, Unley Park; SX7642 Pte. Donald J. Kerin, Burra; SX15505 L-Cpl. William. B. Tremain, Payneham; SX7691 Cpl. Keith Turnbull, Bowden.
Steven was exceptionally fortunate to survive. For almost a fortnight he remained on the dangerously ill list before then being ‘downgraded’ to ‘seriously ill’ early in June ’45. 26 days after being wounded he was removed from that listing, also.Then, by the July issue he was reported as being removed from all lists as was Corporal John Walsh. Probably this was a tribute to both his youth and resilience, but also to the expertise of the hospital staff.
Many wounded South Australians returned from New Guinea to a tumultuous welcome back home in Adelaide. A June issue of the News reported that “Wounded South Australians who arrived home from the islands were given a most enthusiastic welcome by relatives at Adelaide Railway Station today. The excitement began when the express pulled in under the Morphett Street Bridge, and the heads of several waving diggers could be seen protruding from the windows of the hospital car. Then there was a rush as the train pulled up as relatives made for the windows to find their men. The men themselves, despite copious bandages and slings and foot scaffolding, were uniformly cheerful and patently glad to be back home. Then there were repeated all the war-long scenes as relatives gathered close to say all the things they had been storing up so long and couldn't think where to begin, and those who were too happy to say anything at all. The conversations continued as stretcher-bearers unshipped the wounded and carefully carried them to waiting ambulances in the station yard, where farewells were said until the time when they could be visited in hospital or, better still, welcomed home on leave.”
Steve’s multiple injuries were formally classified as an 80% disability when he was discharged on the 25th October ’45. Regardless of his own injuries and miraculous survival, he continued to remember those young men he fought beside and who had lost their lives at Tarakan. He placed a poignant series of tributes in the ensuing years, but these fellow soldiers of the 2/48th also continued to remain in his memory.
Advertiser Wednesday 8 May 1946, In memory of my pals of C Company, 2/48th Btn., who fell at Tarakan. —Ever remembered by Steven Buck.
Advertiser Saturday 10 May 1947, COY, 2/48TH bn.—In fond memory of my pals of C Company, 2/48, who paid the supreme sacrifice at Tarakan.—Al-ways remembered by Steven Buck
Advertiser Saturday 8 May 1948, TARAKAN.—In memory of my mates, C Company, 2/48th Battalion, who lost their lives at Tarakan, 1945. —Always in my memory, Steven Buck.
Steven’s extended family were closely tied to Kangaroo Island, with his grandfather, Samuel William Buck being one of the early settlers, ensuring Steve was listed on that Pioneers Association.
In later years, Steve lived in the mid-hills town of Aberfoyle Park. Aged 75 he died on the 2nd September 1999 and was buried at Centennial Park cemetery.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.