Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Colin was the third of four children and second son of Cecil Wentworth and Maren Tonkin. His siblings were Archie, Madge and younger brother, Leslie. Colin was born at Nairne on the 20th September 1917 before the family moved to live in Wynarka, a small farming town in the Murray Mallee area of South Australia.
With the outbreak of WWII, Leslie William, his younger brother, enlisted soon after his 21st birthday in July ’40 becoming SX8412. A social was organised for him in the Wynarka Hall where he was presented with a gift of money and the best wishes of the community.
In a blow to the family, their 58-year-old father, Cecil died at home on the 10th January ’42 and was interred in the local Murray Bridge cemetery. Later that month, aged 24, Colin enlisted at Wayville where he was allocated the number SX15909 in the 2/48th Battalion. At the beginning of March, the following year Colin had a brief return home after his stint in the Middle East before preparing for service in New Guinea in very different tropical conditions and against a quite different enemy.
There, in a massive, frontal fight for Coconut Ridge, Colin’s Company faced machine gun fire on the ground and snipers hidden in the trees. His fellow soldiers threw grenades as they ran forward, encountering covered enemy bunkers. It was under these conditions that, Privates Irvine Oglivie SX7643, Maurice Beecken SX8848, Hurtle Zacher SX13461 and Major Reginald Batten all from the 2/48th were killed in action on the 17th November ’43, or died of their injuries. 20 others were wounded. From the 2/48th, these were Privates Henry Bear, Linus Corcoran, Corporal William Snider, Colin Tonkin and John Tomney This wounding in action was reported in the December ‘43 issue of the News.
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.
Whilst still serving, Colin learnt of the death of his 30-year-old brother, Archie Graham on the 12th August ’44. Archie was buried in the local Murray Bridge Cemetery with his father. Decades later, his 88-year-old mother, Maren was also interred next to her first born in November ’66.
In December ’45 Colin, who had risen to the rank of Corporal, was finally discharged. He and the family continued to remember Archie. Advertiser Monday 13 August 1945, TONKIN.— In loving memory of our dear son and brother, who passed away August 12 1944. The month of August is here again, the saddest of the year no pen can write, no words can tell, how much we miss you. Archie, dear. Inserted by his loving mother and family. TONKIN-—In loving memory of our brother and brother-in-law, who passed away August 12, 1944. Just a token, true and tender, to show, dear Arch, we still remember.—Inserted by Les and Freda.
Advertiser Monday 12 August 1946, TONKIN.—In loving memory of dear Archie, who passed away at Murray Bridge, on August 12 1944. Loving thoughts, fond and true, to show, dear Arch, we think of you.—Inserted by mother and family. TONKIN. Archie.—In memory of our dear friend who passed away on Aug-ust 12, 1944. —Inserted by his friends Dud, Bill. TONKIN.— In memory of my dear friend Arch, who passed away August 12. 1944 —Ever remembered by his pal Eric Scheer.
Colin had married Eva Merle, with the couple having three children, Janice, Peter and David. In retirement, Colin and Eva moved to Victor Harbor. There, Colin took up lawn bowls and became a talented individual, pairs, triple, men’s and mixed team player and skipper of his team at Encounter Bay. Each year he won numerous trophies. He and Eva became stalwarts of the local community with both being heavily involved in many aspects.
Colin died just prior to his 73rd birthday and after Christmas on the 27th December 1990. Eva lived to be 88-year-old and died on the 22nd August 2009. Both are remembered at the Victor Harbor Cemetery. Colin and his brother Les are also remembered on the upgraded Karoonda Memorial gates, unveiled in October 2017, where their names are listed under the heading ‘For King and Country WWII 1939 - 1945’ with other locals who had served their country.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion