Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Linus (Len) was the oldest child of John Joseph and Ethel May Corcoran, born and raised at Tantanoola, near Millicent on the 11th February, 1923. This originally was a rural area but more recently is renown for its vast, impressive underground cave system. Len’s father, John was employed as a telephone linesman. The Corcorans were a strong Catholic family who regularly attended the local St Clare’s Church. Len was one of six children with four brothers, Leo, Vincent, Kevin and Bert and a sister, Mary.
Len had just turned eight when his mother died at the Thyne Memorial Hospital in July ’31, aged just 33 years. She had given birth to her youngest child, John Bertram (Bert) just a week previously.
Initially, Len attended the Tantanoola School where he gained his Qualifying Certificate in ’35 before commencing at the Convent School where he also gained the highest marks for shorthand. He was soon to take up golf, being the youngest club member and with the second lowest handicap. Len quickly developed advanced skills in competitions, culminating in his third season in ‘41 with a huge first as the only person to have scored a hole in one at the fourth hole; a distance of 183 yards. The South Eastern Times predicted Len ‘gives promise of being a golfer of note. He receives advice and tuition from W. J. Whitty, ex-international cricketer, and a golfer, who has many championship wins to his credit. This was the first occasion a player has holed in one at Tantanoola.’ Sadly, Len was not to have the opportunity to fulfil this potential.
Len was anxious to follow in the footsteps of his father who had served in WWI for over three years with the 27th Battalion and been wounded in action. Len’s three uncles had also served with one, Lieutenant Tom Corcoran being killed in action and another, Pte Matthew Corcoran who died because of gas and other war injuries. The third, Jas Corcoran survived. Len enlisted on the 23rd March 42 as soon as he turned 19 years of age. He was allocated to the 2/48th Battalion as SX18085 which had already earned an enviable reputation for their skills in the Middle East. 29-year-old Jack Giddings from Naracoorte also enlisted in March, becoming SX177803 in the same Battalion.
Juts a fortnight after his 20th birthday, Len learned of the death of his father on the 24th February ’43. He had suffered heart problems for about a year. Len returned home on leave to be warmly welcomed by the members of the Tantanoola Red Cross Circle. A guard of honor was formed as Len entered the hall. The National Anthem, and the "Song of Australia," were sung before Len was officially welcomed and his service in doing his duty to his country highly praised. Pte. Corcoran, in responding, spoke briefly of his experiences, and mentioned the magnificent work of the Red Cross and the Comforts Fund. He added that he was very pleased to be back in Australia again.
Len returned to New Guinea, but news soon filtered back that he was reported injured in December ’43. Others from his Battalion to also be wounded were Pte. Henry A. G. Bear, 2/48th Moonaree; SX18085 Pte. L. S. Corcoran. 2/48th Millicent: SX8178 Cpl. W. E. G. Snider. 2/48th Peterborough: SX15909 Pte. John M. Tomney, 2/48th Fowler’s Bay and SX16794 Pte. Colin P. Tonkin, 2/48th Wynarka. All these fellow soldiers survived their wounds and the war. Len had another bout of leave in April ’44 returning to stay with family at Tantanoola, then returned to Tarakan via Maratai as did Jack Giddings from Naracoorte who had been home recovering from malaria at the time.



Len was killed in action at Tarakan soon after his 22nd birthday on the 22nd May, ’45. 32-year-old Jack Giddings died the same day from a gunshot wound to his abdomen. In his book Tobruk to Tarakan, John Glenn described the attack on Knoll 2 which was being blasted with napalm, fire bombs 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 (Len) was killed.’
Highly decorated, Sgt Diver Derrick was killed just two days after Len and Jack. This news was published in the Advertiser, June ’43. ‘Killed In Action SX18085 L/Cpl. L. J. Corcoran. 2/48th Millicent. Died Of Wounds SX7964 Lt. T. C. Derrick. VC. DCM 2/48th Berri. 5X17803 Pte. W. Jack Giddings. 2/48th Naracoorte. A tribute to Len was also published by the Advertiser. ‘Miss Mary Corcoran, of Ebor avenue, Mile End has been notified that her brother, L/Cpl. L. J. Corcoran, 22 has been killed in action at Tarakan. He was the eldest son of the late J. and E. Corcoran, of Millicent. He saw service in the Middle East and was wounded in New Guinea.’
The South Eastern Times also carried the news ‘of the death in action, in the Pacific area, of Lance-Cpl. Linus John Corcoran, A.I.F. He was the eldest son of the late Mr and Mrs John Corcoran, and was 23 years of age, having been on active service for 4½ years. Four younger brothers live at Millicent, and a daughter, Mary, resides in Adelaide. His father and uncles served as volunteers in the war of 1914-18. Lance-Cpl Corcoran spent the greater part of his life at Millicent before enlisting. A Requiem' Mass for the repose of his soul will be celebrated at St. Alphonsus Church at 9 o'clock on Wednesday morning.’
Len was initially buried at Tarakan before being reburied on the 13th June ’49 resting now in the Labuan War Cemetery in Malaysia Plot 29 Row C Grave 15. Nearby, is with 20 year old NX176630 Private Cyril Hutchinson from the 2/48th Battalion and others from the 2/3rd and 2/23rd who were killed at a similar time. His siblings chose the headstone inscription ‘Sacred heart of Jesus have mercy on his soul. RIP.’
The Millicent Convent School Len had attended received a memorial press in May ‘46 in honour of Len. Several donors (Messrs Whitty, M. Altschwager and F. White) decided to perpetuate the memory of the former pupil. In dedicating the memorial Father Kelly praised the ‘fine, manly qualities of Len Corcoran as a pupil, as an Altar server, and as a young soldier who responded to the call of duty in his country's need. This memorial, he said, would inspire present and future children to follow the good example and heroic life of their late past pupil.’
By December ’53 the Country Women’s Association, with funds also from the Tantanoola Welcome Home Committee, opened a new stone-built supper room attached to the Tantanoola Institute. The room carried a plaque, commemorated three young men from the area, Alf Warren, Colin Beaton and Len Corcoran, who were killed.
The family and those with whom Len served continued to remember him in the ensuing years.
Advertiser Wednesday 30 May 1945, CORCORAN. —In loving memory of dear Len, killed in action at Tarakan. — Always will be remembered by Mary, Matt, and Nina. RIP. CORCORAN. L.-Cpl. L. J.—ln memory of our friend. Len, killed in action at Tarakan. —Remembered by Mrs. Toombs. Val and Max.
Advertiser Wednesday 22 May 1946, CORCORAN, SX18080.—A tribute to the memory of a grand pal. —Always remembered by his pals of Don Company, 2/48th Battalion. —Inserted by his pal Brad. CORCORAN, Len. —A tribute of respect for the courage of our mate, Len, K.I.A. May 22, 1945, at Tarakan. —Remembered by his mates of 16 Platoon and Hoty. CORCORAN. —A tribute to the memory of our comrade (Corey), L-Cpl. L. J. Corcoran, 2/48th Batt., A.I.F., killed in action, Tarakan, May 22, 1945. —Ever remembered by Bob and Don McAllister (Gladstone). CORCORAN. —In loving memory of Len, killed in action at Tarakan, May 22, 1945.—Ever remembered, Mary, Matt, and Nina.
Advertiser Thursday 22 May 1947, CORCORAN, L. J.—Killed in action. Tarakan, May 22, 1945.— Still remembered by his mates of 16th Platoon, and Hotty. CORCORAN. —A tribute to the memory of our comrade (Corey), L.-CpL L. J. Corcoran. 2nd/48th Inf Batt., A.I.F., killed in action, Tarakan. May 22. 1945. —Ever remembered by Bob and Don McAllister. Gladstone. CORCORAN. — In loving memory of Len, killed in action, Tarakan, May 22, 1945. Thoughts drift back to bygone days, time moves on, but memories stay. — Al-ways remembered by A. Randall and your loving cousins. Bill, Ray. Valmai, Carmel. CORCORAN. —In loving memory of Len, killed in action at Tarakan, May 22. 1945. —Always remembered by Mary, Matt and Nina. CORCORAN. —A tribute to the memory of L/Cpl. L. Corcoran (Corey), 2/48th Batt., A.I.F., killed in action at Tarakan May 22, 1945. —Always remembered by Bob and Don McAllister. CORCORAN. — A tribute to the memory of Cpl. L. C. Corcoran. K.I.A. Tarakan, May 21. 1945. A thought today, a memory forever. — Always remembered by his pals. D. Coy. 2/48th Btn. Brad.
Advertiser Saturday 22 May 1948, CORCORAN. L.C KIA May: 22. 1945.—Still remembered by his mates of 16 Platoon and Hoty. CORCORAN. —In loving memory of my brother Len, killed in action at Tarakan, May 22, 1945. —Always remembered, Mary, Nina, Matt. CORCORAN. — A tribute to the memory of Cpl Len Corcoran.KI A Tarakan, May 22, 1945. Always remembered by his pals of D Coy. Inserted by L. G. Bradford. CORCORAN. —A tribute to the memory of our comrade SX18085 L-CpL L. J. (Corey). 2/48th Btn, KIA, Tarakan. May 22, 1945.—Al ways remembered by Bob and Don McAllister. Gladstone.
Advertiser Saturday 21 May 1949, CORCORAN. —A tribute to the memory of Cpl. Len Corcoran "Corky". K.I.A. Tarakan. —Always remembered by his pals of D. Coy. 2/48th Btn. Inserted by Brad. CORCORAN, Len. —Still remembered by his mates of 16 Platoon and Hoty. CORCORAN. —In loving memory of brother Len, killed in action, Tarakan. —Lovingly remembered, Mary, Nina, Matt.
Mail Saturday 20 May 1950, CORCORAN. — A tribute to the memory of Cpl. Len Corcoran, K.I. A., Tarakan. Always remembered by his pals of D Coy., 2/48 Battalion Brad. Advertiser Tuesday 23 May 1950, CORCORAN. —In loving memory of brother Len, killed in action, Tarakan, May 22, 1945. — Always remembered by Mary, Nina, Mat.
Advertiser Tuesday 22 May 1951, CORCORAN. —In loving memory of my brother Len, killed in action, Tarakan. May 22. 1945.— Ever remembered by Mary, Matt, Nina. CORCORAN. Len — Still remembered by his mates of I6 Platoon and Hoty. CORCORAN. — A tribute to the memory of Len Corcoran. K-I-A-. at Tarakan. — Always remembered by his pals ot 2/48th Btn. Inserted by Brad
Advertiser Friday 22 May 1953, CORCORAN, Len.— Killed in action Tarakan. — Still remembered by his mates of 16 Platoon and Hoty.
Advertiser Saturday 22 May 1954, CORCORAN, Len.— Killed in action Tarakan. Still remembered by his mates of 16 Platoon and Hoty.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.