Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Bill’s parents Percival Burnett Garfield (Boer War, service number 498, Trooper, 5th South Australian Imperial Bushmen) & Maude Marion Loxton were married on 12 July 1911 at the Baptist Manse, Mannum. Bill was the fourth child of six born. Other children were Jean Elsie (Jenny), Percy (Pete) Hopkin (SX1751), Mary (Jacky) Adele, Nancy Dawn and Ivor (Mick) Morgan (RAAF 437899).
During the Second World War Bill missed his brother Pete dearly while he was away, perhaps more so because he was only 8 years of age when his mother passed away. Bill had joined the 2nd Armoured Regiment on 12 January 1942 and spent most of his time in New South Wales and Queensland before being sent overseas in 1945. Prior to his enlistment Bill worked on his uncle Donald Charles Bell’s dairy farm on Newman Road, Charleston. Don & Bill applied for an Italian prisoner of war who was held in an internment camp in Melbourne to be sent to them to help them with labour on the farm. The labourer Domenico Iannotta, a married man who had been captured by Australian troops on 4 January 1941 in Libya was sent. In August 1949 Domenico, his wife and young child Nicolina (Lina) migrated to Australia and settled in Charleston. Lina attended Charleston Primary along with Bill & Maxine’s children. Donald had sponsored them. Lina later said that Don & Bill had shown much compassion towards Domenico from the very first time that they met.
This is a shining example of Bill’s character – warm, kind and compassionate. Pete had been in Libya and his battalion may well have captured him. The fact that Pete was killed by a foe in 1942, did not influence the family’s attitude toward Domenico, a former foe is perhaps remarkable.
Bill’s Army records appear to indicate that he would have been in New South Wales when news of Pete's death (December 1942 at Buna) came through. Bill married Maxine Green (daughter of Arthur Leslie & Elsie Florence Bishop) at Lenswood Methodist Church on 13 December 1943 and no reception was held.
He embarked at Cairns on approximately 15 April 1945, disembarking at Morotai on 21 April 1945. After spending some six months on active service, he embarked at Labuan on 3 November 1945 for return to Australia.
Bill and Maxine had four children – John, Marian, Gregory and Janeen. Bill suffered a terrible farm accident later in life. The effect on his mental health was extensive and devastating for his family.
Bill will be remembered for his affectionate, cheerful and compassionate demeanour. He would always step in to help anyone in difficulty.