Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Patrick (Pat) was born in Streaky Bay on the Eyre Peninsula of SA on the 23rd January 1918 to Edwin and Alice (nee Barrett). He had six siblings, including Irene (Broad), Joseph, Marjorie (Higgins), Gertrude Doreen and Robert Mannix.

As a school boy, Pat enjoyed racing, featuring in the pony racing at Petina on his mount, Johnson. The race proved to be a feature described by the West Coast Sentinel as featuring ‘flying arms and legs’ and later with ‘the boys had a real ding dong go all off scratch’.

Pat was already in the Militia as S26963 when, aged 24, he enlisted on the 25th August, 1942 in Ingleburn, NSW to serve in WWII. He became SX24344. Soon after, while home at Minnipa on leave in September, Pat was honoured with a social evening. A large crowd attended the local Hall which was patriotically decorated with the flag and flowers arranged by locals. Following dancing, the returned soldiers marched in and formed a guard of honor, with the President of the RSL then escorting Pat to the front. A number of locals spoke, several who also had sons who had enlisted. These included the Elefsen, Kilmartin, Broad and Barrett families. The speakers commented on Max’s exceptional qualities, and wished him the best of luck. Gifts were presented from the town in appreciation of his service and Mrs Crowther from the CWA (who also had a son serving) presented a parcel of comforts. During her speech, she also appealed to all women present to join the C.W.A. and knit and work for the boys who were prepared to do so much. These formalities were followed by a typical country supper with dancing continued until midnight.

Pat was from a strong Catholic family which supported a ten-day summer camp at Minnipa in January ‘45. While the focus was on religious classes, several children also received their first Holy Communion. Pat’s father and brother were involved in taking the children on a picnic and providing ice-creams. The next month, Pat was home on leave and honoured with a social in the Minnipa Hall. As usual, there was a good crowd who enjoyed the dancing. Gunner McEvoy was the recipient of the singing of 'For They Are Jolly Good Fellows’ before the inevitable country supper was served.

At the conclusion of hostilities, Pat was discharged on the 6th October 1945.

Being locals, the McEvoy and Redding families predictably spent time together. During the war, Gertie McEvoy and Anne Dawn Redding were both involved in fundraising, including for a King and Queen of Liberty Competition at Minnipa which raised £220 ($440). Both well-dressed girls were mentioned in the Port Lincoln Times ‘Gert McEvoy, in black with sequin trimming; Anne Redding chose blue organdie.’ The following year Anne also attended the Annual Catholic Ball which Pat’s younger brother, Freddie also attended. It was therefore almost inevitable that on 26th June ’46, Pat married Anne Redding, the youngest Redding daughter and also a local of Minnipa. The ceremony was held in the Church of England at Minnipa. While Anne chose her sister as her attendant, Pat chose Alven Richard Karger (Dick), a farmer, who had also served as Corporal SX24468 with the 101st Antitank Regiment.

Post war, Pat returned to playing football for Minnipa and was elected Vice Captain. He had retained his skill and teamwork, evident in the’46 season and in a final against Wudinna where he was both a scorer and named amongst the best players. These feats were repeated in ensuing seasons, culminating in Pat being awarded the prestigious Best and Fairest trophy for three consecutive years for Minnipa from ’47. Interestingly, at the conclusion of the ’48 season, a tie occurred between Pat and Murray Phillips. With the award points unable to be split, between the veteran McEvoy and the youthful Phillips, the donor, Mr Joe Attiah declared an official tie and supplied two cups. (The donor, Joe Attiah was a former League footballer in South Australia.) In ’49 the local ‘West Coast Sentinel’ reported that ‘P. C. McEvoy, of Minnipa, won the trophy presented by Mr. G. B. Bockelberg, for the fairest and most unselfish player of the Minnipa football team. This is the third year in succession that this player has won this award. During the period he has ably filled the position of captain and vice-captain of the team. H. A. Phillips, aged 17 years, won the trophy for the most improved player for the 1949 season. This was donated by Mr. S. J. Chaplin, of Karcultaby.’

Typical of the community spirit in country areas, when the local post office at Karcultaby closed in November ’49, the ‘West Coast Sentinel’ reported that Annie McEvoy then offered to conduct a telephone office at her home, situated about one mile from the Karcultaby railway siding, and. arrangements have been made accordingly. The subscribers to the service at present are Messrs. S. J. Chaplin, G. Koutsouris and P. C. McEvoy. Some of those neighbours also came to help Pat when a fire swept through about 30 acres of stubble on his property. It destroyed an uncleaned wheat heap and 200 new cornsacks nearby. It was estimated that the wheat heap contained about 300 bags of wheat. Messrs. McEvoy, L. Chaplin and P. Porter were able to pull a winnower and other plant to safety and checked the fire in the stubble, but were unable to approach the wheat heap-on account of the heat. The fire in the stack was finally put out by the new Minnipa fire pump manned by a crew under Fire Control Officer Karger.’ However, without the help from the locals, the situation would have been so much worse.

Pat and Anne (Annie) had three children, Janet, Bruce and Kym. Annie died on the 1st August 1987 aged 61 years and was buried in the Mallala Cemetery. Pat died on 6th July 2000 aged 82 years in the Central Eyre Peninsula Hospital and was buried in the Catholic Section of the Minnipa Cemetery.

Both Pat and his brother Robert Mannix who served as Able Seaman PA4219 on HMAS Torrens during WWII are remembered on the Minnipa War Memorial Oval Gates and at Streaky Bay.

Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.