Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Born and raised in the seaside town of Glenelg, Eric arrived on the 21st January 1909 to Catherine Mary and William Reynolds. His father worked with the South Australian Gas Company, but the family made good use of living at the seaside. Eric’s siblings included John William, Ralph, Harold James and Phyllis.
Eric’s 40-year-old mother, Catherine who had been in poor health, died the month after Eric’s 11th birthday on the 27th February 1920 whist in the Adelaide Hospital. His father, William then brought the children up, but Eric still found time for an ‘adventure’ of sorts.
As a 25-year-old and in wintry conditions, Eric and his friend William Evans, a boat owner, decided to take Will’s boat from its mooring in the Patawalonga Creek to a more sheltered place beside the Glenelg jetty. With an intense storm approaching the two attempted to return the boat to the Creek but met adverse tides. At that point, they decided on the hazardous task of taking a 25-feet cutter with sail and auxiliary engine, from the Glenelg jetty to the Outer Harbor in heavy seas in August ‘34. Unfortunately, after five long hours and in severe squalls, the flooded engine broke down and the masts snapped five miles off Grange, narrowly missing the two sodden sailors. The heavy winds fortunately forced then towards the shore, but the squally rain prevented them recognising where they were until they finally ran ashore between Grange and Semaphore. The two managed to struggle onto land in blinding rain and wind, to a nearby house. The residents kindly fed the two before taking them to the nearby Semaphore railway station to return home. The planned two-hour sail had taken over seven and a half hours, from 3:00 pm to 10:30pm.
Three years after this ‘adventure’ Eric’s 67-year-old father, William died and was buried with Catherine in the Catholic Section of the West Terrace Cemetery.
Eric worked as a labourer until aged 32, he enlisted on the 19th July ’41 and was initially allocated to the 2/10th Battalion Reinforcements as SX13763. With both parents deceased, Eric nominated his brother, John as his next of kin. He creatively, but expensively added a further two days to his pre-embarkation leave, resulting in him being confined to barracks for three days and the precious loss of 15/- pay. At the end of October, Eric was then allocated to the 2/48th Battalion. Two weeks later he was on his way to the Middle East, arriving in November.
The desert conditions contributed to a range of challenging health issues for the soldiers. At the end of June ’42 Eric contracted sandfly fever, with the associated high fever and joint pain which then developed into phlebotomus fever, a further, more severe form of sandfly fever with associated intense headaches and fever, joint pain and accelerated heart rate. It was then over a month before he was able to rejoin the battalion at the end of July.
Almost immediately Eric was back at the front facing intense fighting that occurred over October and into November. Montgomery had ordered the 9th Battalion to attack northward. The 2/48th was involved in a massive assault to ambitiously take the strategic position of Trig 29. Conditions at the time were ever-changing and the fighting continuous. John Glenn in his book Tobruk to Tarakan, describes the conditions at that time. ‘As the flies and heat made more than a couple of hours’ rest impossible, the men lolled in their holes and prepared their weapons for battle. When they moved off at 7:30 in the fading light there was little talking. There was a bitter night ahead. By ten o’clock the battalion was in position near Trig 29, waiting for the success signal of the 2/23rd.’
John Glenn described how it was only after hard fighting, with heavy casualties on both sides, that they were able to consolidate on their objective. The troops had never been more tired.. The 2/48th had stirred up a real hornets’ nest; from first light until nine o’clock the enemy turned all their fury on the Trig area, with particularly heavy fire on 29 itself, hiding the position in a cloud of dust and smoke.
‘On the morning of the 30th October the khamsin rose and blotted out the sight of “man’s inhumanity to man”. It spread like a great shroud over Egypt, half burying the dead, and hid for a brief moment the hate and passion of war. And under its cover plans were laid for the final blow by the 2/48th Battalion.’ ‘The task was a tremendous one. The battalion had been fighting hard for six days and had suffered many casualties. We thought of ourselves as few enough then. But surely even the bravest amongst us would have shuddered if they could have known to what a weary handful we would be reduced to by morning…’ Eric was extremely fortunate to survive. A comment was later made about the heavy casualties. On that night alone 9 of the Battalion were killed and 20 wounded in action. Of these 16 were from South Australia, including Eric and the remainder from Western Australia.
The November ’42 issue of the Chronicle gave a small indication the fighting had on the 2/48th Battalion. Seventh List Killed In Action.— SX11919 Pte. S. M. Carter, Med., Solomontown; SX10325 Captain Peter ROBBINS Died Of Wounds.—SX6893 Pte. Leslie C. Cutchie, Brompton Park; SX6672 Pte. Gordon F. Munday, Cowell; SX3917 Sgt. Francis G. Ziesing, St. Peters. Wounded In Action. SX9327 Lt. Thomas H. Bowman, Ardrossan; SX7093 Cpl. Norman L. Badman, Pinnaroo; SX11069 Pte. Stanley J. Crowell, Price; SX9093 SX715O L/Cpl. Geoffrey Gardner, Bordertown; SX 12741 Pte. Jack Hoey, Kadina; SX6737, Pte. Ross. E. Hoskin, Kilkenny; SX11135 Pte, James N. Jarvis, Kent Town; SX8268 Cp! William K Mackay, Snowtown; SX7669 Pte. William Miller, Booleroo Centre; SX11753 Pte. Terrence C. O'Connor, Adelaide: SX13763 Pte. Eric. K. Reynolds, Novar Gardens;- SX5991 Pte. Stanley G. Smith: Croydon Park; SX7311 Pte. Rayner R. Stagg, . TarcowieSX8539 Pte. Edward. J. . Young, Morgan. Dangerously Wounded. —SX13191 Pte. William. R. Bowd.
The November 10th issue of the Advertiser then carried added information that ‘The relatives of Pte. Eric K. Reynolds, of Munro street, Novar Gardens have been advised that he has been wounded in action in Egypt. Pte. Reynolds enlisted in June. 1941, and went overseas in October of the same year.’
Eric was hospitalised before being able to return to the 2/48th in January. The following month he and the remains of the 2/48th Battalion were on their way home to Australia via Melbourne for well-earned leave. Back in South Australia Eric spent some time in Kapara Nursing Home at Glenelg as he continued to recover from nerve damage and the gunshot wound in his thigh.
Training in Queensland followed, with the focus of the 2/48th Battalion then being to prepare for the tropical conditions of New Guinea, against a very different enemy.
In July ’43 Eric was again wounded this time in the buttock, which later became infected, causing him to return to Townsville to recuperate until August. He developed osteo myelitis, which caused an inflammation in his eyes and often the spinal cord in September before He then returned to Mile Bay spending a short time in the Details Depot before rejoining the 2/48th for what would be his last days.
Eric’s luck ran out that year. Aged 34, Eric was killed in action in New Guinea on the 19th November ’43. At the time there was fierce fighting at Fougasse Corner. There, the soldiers faced sporadic shelling, including on a weapons pit. Eric’s Company faced machine gun fire on the ground and snipers hidden in the trees. The Japanese were well dug in, with well camouflaged bunkers. John Glenn in Tobruk to Tarakan described how a mixture of petrol and diesel, known as fou, was created to use on enemy positions. When electrically fired, the mixture covered the enemy positions with smoke, with the intention it would burn for five to six minutes. However the time was much shorter, but the attack still went ahead. Glenn recorded that ‘Privates Thomas L. Woodall SX7212, C. Sydney Goodyear SX10347, Clyde R. Sellars SX7369, Eric K. Reynolds, Arnold C. Kerber and Douglas Hammond WX9845 all died through enemy action on this 19th November, sixteen others receiving wounds.’
Again, Eric’s name and number appeared in the list carried by the Chronicle, but he had paid the ultimate price. Killed In Action.— SX7651 Pte. Ronald G. Bowen, Burra; SX12975 Pte. Arnold C. Kerber. Mount Torrens; SX13763 Pte. Eric K. Reynolds, Novar Gardens. Wounded In Action.— SX6837 L-Sgt. Dean H. Adams. Forestville; SX7093 Lt/Sgt. Norman L. Badman, Pinnaroo; SX15377 Pte. William V. Davidson. Mitcham; SX7629 Pte. Charles H. Hewitt. Tumby Bay: SX17852 Pte. Douglas C. Maher. Renmark; SX7292 Pte. Angus J. McMahon, Mitcham; SX17621 Pte. Clarence T. Pickett. ArdrossanSX7690 Pte. Fredrick. C. Serle, Inf.. Robe. Seriously Ill: SX7885 Lt. Angus C. Dodd, Inf., Glenelg.
The Advertiser’s December ’43 issue carried the sad news ‘Private Casualty Advices ‘The relatives of Pte. Eric K. Reynolds, of Munro street, Novar Gardens, have been notified that he was killed in action in New Guinea on November 19. Pte. Reynolds enlisted in 1941. and served in the Middle East. He was wounded in El Alamein last year and returned from overseas in February last. He was 34.’ A photo of Eric accompanied the report.
Harold, his older brother placed a tribute in the Advertiser on Friday 17 December 1943, ‘REYNOLDS, SX13763. Pte. Eric K. (A.I.F. ret., M.E.).—Killed in action in N.G. Nov. 19. Sadly missed. —Harold and Vi Reynolds and family.’ THE Reynolds brothers and their families sincerely thank relatives and friends far their expressions of sympathy in the sad loss of Eric (A.1.F.). killed in action. Will all please accept these thanks as personal?
Initially Eric was buried in the field because of the humidity and tropical conditions. Finally, Eric was permanently laid to rest in the Lae War Cemetery in Section B, Plot B Row C Grave 11on the 1st May ’46. He now rests with others from the 2/48th Battalion, including 32-year-old WX10332 Private Edward Woodroffe, 23-year-old WX9845 Private Douglas Hammond and 23-year-old SX7651 Private Ronald Bowen, plus others from the 2/17th Battalion. His family chose the inscription ‘Not Just Today, But Aways, In Silence We Remember.’
In the ensuing years, the family, especially Harold and Vi continued to remember Eric. A fellow soldier from the 2/48th Battalion, Private Harold Brown, SX11079 who had fought alongside Eric both in the Middle East and New Guinea, also continued to remember Eric.
Mail Saturday 18 November 1944, REYNOLDS. — Eric, killed in action. New Guinea. 19/11/43. 'In our hearts you'll always live.' — Ever remembered by his loving brother Jack and sister in-law Mavis. REYNOLDS.— Eric, killed In action. New Guinea. 19/11/43. Our tribute n! love and affection. Sadly missed by his brother Ralph and sister-in-law Marjorie. REYNOLDS. — A token of remembrance to my pal Eric, killed in action New Guinea November 19. 1943. A gallant soldier. Always remembered by Harold Brown (AJ.F.).
Advertiser Monday 20 November 1944, REYNOLDS. 5X13763, Pte. Eric R-, **/4Btb. ret. ss E„ killed in action, N.G., Nov. 19. 1943. —Loved and sadly missed by Harold and Vi Reynolds. '
Advertiser Monday 19 November 1945, REYNOLDS.—In loving memory of Eric. who was killed in action. New Guinea. Nov. 19. 1943. Forever in our thoughts. —Loving brother of Phyl Jock and Ralph. REYNOLDS.—Pte. Eric K.. 2/48th Btn, ret, M.E, killed in action Satelburg. N.G, on Nov. 19. 1943. "Cherished memories."—Loved and always missed by Harold and Vi.
Advertiser Wednesday 19 November 1947, REYNOLDS, Eric K. 2/48th Btn.. Killed in action at Satelberg, N.G. on November 19. 1943. A leaf in the book of memories is gently turned today.—Loved and missed by Harold and Vi.
Advertiser Friday 19 November 1948, REYNOLDS.—Pte. Eric, EU 2/48 th ' 3tn.. killed in action. Satelberg. N.G^ . m November 19. 1943. A leaf in the look of memories Is gently turned to lay.—Loved and always missed by ? Sarold and Vi. !
Advertiser Saturday 19 November 1949, REYNOLDS. Eric K_ 2/48th Btn.— Killed in action Satelberg. N.G-, on November 19. 1943. A leaf in the book of memories I Is gently turned today. —Loved and always missed by Harold I and VI
Advertiser Monday 20 November 1950, age 18 REYNOLDS. Eric K. (2/48th Stn.). —Killed in action. Satelberg. N G. November 19. 1943.— Ever remembered and always missed by Harold and Vi.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.