Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Roy was born in Grenfell, New South Wales on the 9th January, 1920 to Miriam June Merritt (nee Sharpe). He was one of four children with two sisters and a brother. It appears that Roy was not unfamiliar to travelling, spending some time in Brisbane, Queensland as a 19-year-old before then heading to Millicent in the south-east of South Australia during the Depression years. With the outbreak of WWII a huge drive was conducted in country areas to encourage fit, healthy young men to enlist. Roy originally did so at Mt Burr then travelled to Wayville on the 30th June, ’41 where he was allocated the number SX13495 in the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. For the new soldiers, initial days were spent in the cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds, before they headed to Woodside in the Adelaide Hills for their preliminary training.
He was soon headed over to the Middle East where he became one of the highly respected Rats of Tobruk. His war lasted just over a year.
In the constant, bitter fighting at Tel el Eisa, strategic points continued to change hands. The 2/23rd, having gained West 24 immediately came under heavy sustained fire, causing them to withdraw. On the 16th July ’42, 22 year old Roy was killed in an horrific explosion. The 2/48th had control of East 24 but the shelling then turned to their A Company. John Glenn in Tobruk to Tarakan describes the ‘great concentrations blotting out the whole company. One shell made a direct hit on the dug-out of Private D.W. McDonald and R.H. Merritt, causing the sides of their hole to cave in and bury them. Several men jumped from their holes in the midst of the exploding shells, and Captain Shillaker ordered a red Cross flag to be flown. The German shelling stopped at once; this allowed a part of six men to commence digging to release their buried comrades. When the two men were unearthed, it was found that they had been killed by the explosion. It was not until the Red Cross flag had been lowered that the shelling recommenced.’
Mark Johnston in his recently published book Derrick VC in his own words gives Derrick’s entry for the 16th July.
“No change during the night. Jerry kept up his bombardment of 75mm and many anxious moments were spent by all, and each wondering how much longer before his dugout would be the receiver of one 75MM. We had been subjected to approx. 500 shells daily in our Coy area, and it wasn’t until 1500 hrs that we received our first fatalities by shell fire, they 2 in number Ptes MacDonald, & Merritt of C.H.Q., the latter being beyond recognition and was buried where he fell. Padre Archbold came over in the evening to pay last homage to yet another.”
Back home both the Advertiser and Border Watch published the news of Roy’s death in August. “Private R. H. Merritt, who enlisted from Mount Burr, and whose address is given as Millicent, has been killed in action abroad.’ Later that month the local Millicent Community conducted a Memorial Service. ‘At the conclusion of the weekly session of the Millicent B.H.K.F.W.W, group of community singers on Thursday night a short service was conducted in memory of Privates Jas. Sutherland and R. H. Merritt. The chairman of the District Council (Cr. J, Grigg) expressed the sympathy of the group with the relatives of the two men killed in action. The audience stood in silence while an illuminated cross was screened.’
Initially Roy and Donald were buried in the field. Later Roy was re-buried in the El Alamein War Cemetery on the 15th March ’45 in Plot A II Row E Grave 3 and now rests with 26 year old Private John Richard Smith, SX11768, 24 year old Privates Arthur Randall WX10146, and 25 year old Robert T Elliott SX7254 all from the 2/48th Battalion as well as others from the 2/13th 2/17th and 2/28th and two unidentified soldiers from the AIF all of whom were killed during the ferocious fighting in 1942.
Roy continued to be mourned by his family in New South Wales.
Sydney Morning Herald Tuesday 18 July 1944, MERRITT -Loving memories are all we have of our dear son and brother Pte Roy killed El Alamein July 16 1942. Inserted by mother, sisters and brother.
Sydney Morning Herald Tuesday 17 July 1945, MERRITT -In loving memory of my dear son and our brother Pt. Roy Merritt killed In action El Alamein July 16 1942. Sadly missed by his mother, brother and sisters. MERRITT-In sad but Ioving memory of our dearly loved grandson Roy Henry killed El Alamein July 16 1942 Sadly missed by his grandparents aunty and uncle.
Sydney Morning Herald Tuesday 16 July 1946, MERRITT.—In ever loving memory of our dear grandson and nephew Roy, killed In action July 16, 1942, at El Alamein. Ever remembered by his grandparents, auntie, and uncle.
Sydney Morning Herald Wednesday 16 July 1947, MERRITT -In loving memory of my son and our brother Cpl Merritt Roy killed In action July 16 1943 We never knew the pain he bore, We never saw him die, We only know he passed away And never said goodbye. MERRITT -In loving memory of our dear grandson and nephew Roy killed In action July 16 1942. Always remembered by his loving grandparents, auntie and uncle.
His mother, Miriam died on the 21st November ’59 and is buried in the Rookwood General Cemetery.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.