Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

William (Bill) was born in Murrayville, Victoria on the 20th August 1915, one of nine children including Adelaide, Caroline, (Dolly) Gladys, Marjorie, Henry, Jock, Alexander and Ada. The children were born over a period of fourteen years to Adelaide Victoria and Bernhard (Bert) Henry Wall.
The family moved to farm at Peebinga, a railway town established to extend the Murray Mallee region for cropping and grazing. With the official opening of the town a school was soon operating in 1922 in a building made of Mt Gambier stone. Bill’s father, Bernhard (Bert) considered as one of the first settlers, rapidly became one of the early leaders in the community, becoming President of the Peebinga Sports Club, the Local Hall Committee, Football Club and, when the school officially opened in May ‘27, held the role of Chairman and in later years, treasurer. He also served on the local Council and later became a member of the Brown’s Well Repatriation Committee. Bill’s mother, Adelaide was also active in the Peebinga Tennis Club, especially with supper-based events, including New Year’s Eve and Fancy-Dress Balls.
At the official opening of the Peebinga school, the local M.P. Mr McMillan, advised students that “the new school would provide them with the foundation of a good education. If they fully availed themselves of the opportunity to learn there is no limit to the successes to which they might aspire. They could, by perseverance, fit themselves to occupy any public position in the State, or their education would be a great help to those who later on embarked upon a business career. In declaring the school open Mr McMillan hoped the scholars would prove a credit to their district and that full advantage would be taken of the educational facilities now afforded.” These were to be prophetic words considering the exceptional service given by the local young boys during WWII. At that time, however greater concern was that the school yard was unfenced and therefore ‘there is no protection from wandering stock, and it is impossible to make a school garden until the ground had been cleared and grubbed.’
As a fourteen-year-old, William proved to be a capable athlete, in a variety of races including an obstacle and three-legged race at the annual school picnic. Each November there was a shared picnic day with the Berook School at Butcher’s Soak, a picturesque spot famed as an idyllic picnic ground.
Typical of so many of the local families, generosity was shown by the Walls towards the matron of the Pinnaroo Memorial Hospital for gifts to enable the continued running of the facility. The Walls contributed with farm donations including two pigs and another year three dozen eggs.
Post-school, Bill worked on the family farm until the outbreak of WWII. Aged 25, William and his younger brother, Henry both enlisted on 16th May at Pinnaroo and officially in Adelaide on the 29th May ’41 becoming SX13031 and SX13029 respectively. Their enlistment numbers suggest they may have been aware of enlistees being alternately allocated to the 2/43rd and the newly formed 2/48th Battalions and ‘organised’ to be posted together. Bill and Henry were both granted special leave before training at Woodside in the Adelaide Hills. Unfortunately, Bill contracted an upper respiratory tract infection in July then pharyngitis the following month causing him to be hospitalised back home in the Pinnaroo Hospital. At the same time, a farewell social was held in the Peebinga Hall for him and Henry to ‘honour these two popular sons of a local pioneer’. The local Pinnaroo and Border Times reported that dancing and community singing were followed by supper and speeches. Henry was presented with a wallet and because Bill was still recovering in hospital, his father accepted a similar wallet on Bill’s behalf. Local family and parents then presented Henry with a watch and similarly, one for Bill. Private Henry then responded with his thanks to the community for their support. The newspaper added ‘General regret was expressed at Pte Wall's absence’. Fortunately, by the start of September, Bill was able to receive ‘gifts from the Pinnaroo Girls’ Club and Cheer Society. Pte Wall had just left the local hospital after an illness which kept him in that institution for several weeks. He was unfortunate in having to spend his leave in hospital and Peebinga and Pinnaroo friends will wish him well.’
By October ’41 Bill had arrived in the Middle East but almost immediately contracted a severe case of dysentery in December, causing another bout of hospitalisation before he was able to re-join the 2/48th in the middle of December. The battalion was soon involved in intense conflicts where the reputation for being the most highly decorated but decimated battalion was earned. The 2/48th was subjected to heavy, constant German shelling, forcing the men to shelter in the pits they had dug.
Within a year, Bill was wounded in action on the 24th October ’42 with a gunshot wound to both his right hand and abdomen causing him to be evacuated to the field ambulance. Conditions for those in the 2/48th were ever-changing and the fighting continuous. Fighting for Trig 29 began on the night of the 23rd October. John Glenn in Tobruk to Tarakan describes how ‘The darkness was rent by flashes from the mouths of over eight hundred guns. The night exploded as no night before had ever done. The desert burst into flame and shattering sound that shook the earth with its fury. Then came the dreadful whispering of thousands of shells rushing by overhead, the shock of explosions as they smashed into the enemy’s guns, men, tanks and communications. The bombers joined in, raining their bombs on the German gunlines. The tranquil stars seemed to quake in their heaven and to recede in horror at such destruction as had never before been witnessed in this land as old as time itself, or perhaps in any land. The smell of cordite drifted chokingly through the air, then dust billowed up and blotted out the flashing guns.’ He later reports that ‘D Company ran up against strong opposition soon after they started’ and that casualties were experienced. Definitive news slowly drifted back about that horrific battle where the 2/48th lost 199 men killed or wounded of their 292 involved in that night’s conflict – over 68 percent of their men. John Glenn continued: ‘Battalion headquarters was out of communication with D Company, the reason which was not then known, being that all members of D Company headquarters had been either killed or wounded. In fact, 16 of their men had been killed on the objective, leaving a company of six to carry on. Just as the company was nearing its objective, the men had approached two mounds with a saddle in between. Fifty yards from these they were met by a murderous fire from the mounds. D Company immediately went to ground, but the Germans swept the area where they lay in the open. The remnants of the Company were being cut to pieces.”
The local paper shared the news with the community. ‘Peebinga people were sorry to learn of the wounding in action of the Wall Brothers, which was reported recently. Both boys have served overseas for many months. News of their complete recovery will be welcomed by residents.’ The Chronicle also listed information about several others from Bill’s battalion. These included Killed In Action— SX10464 Pte. William D. C. Cockshell 2/48th Jabuk: SX7252 Pte. Laurence A. Smith, 2/48th Karoonda, then Wounded In Action— SX6832 Pte. Walter J. Fennell, 2/48th Berri: SX7629 Pte. Charles H. Hewitt, 2/48th Tumby Bay; SX7139 L-Cpl. Gordon G. Radbone. 2/48th Bridgewater; SX13031 Pte. William C. Wall. 2/48th Peebinga; SX10117 Pte. Mervyn J. Riebe, 2/48th Mylor.
Despite his injury, Bill was able to re-join his battalion within a week. By February ’43 he was able to leave the Middle East and return home via Melbourne. Finally, the remnants of the 2/48th returned to Adelaide in March. The local News proudly announced ‘With 2½ years of history-making fighting behind it, the 9th Division A.I.F. received a warm welcome on its return to Australia. One of its South Australian battalions has won three Victoria Crosses and 60 other decorations and awards-more than any other A.I.F. unit.’
Bill and his brother Henry were able to return home with others from the 2/48th Battalion who had enlisted at a similar time. They included, Clarrie Baldwin SX7108, Beau Jones SX6856, Clarrie Jones, SX15145 Cpl Clem Billing SX6829, , Humphrey Darke SX6937 and Richard Darke SX1866. It was a joyous time with representatives of the Cheer Society, Returned Soldiers’ League and Pinnaroo Girls’ Club honoured these soldiers and others home on leave with a hugely supported dance in the Pinnaroo Institute. Over 300 people attended with dancing continuing into the early hours of the next morning. The Pinnaroo and Border Times reported that ‘The number of men in uniform created a record for a dance or celebration in Pinnaoo. When the soldiers were seated on the stage, they numbered over twenty. Each soldier received a gift from the Girls’ Club. For They Are Jolly Good Fellows was heartily rendered and four rousing cheers given. L/Sgt. Norm. Badman responded on behalf of all soldiers. He thanked the speakers and all present for their good wishes and said how grateful the boys were for the fine spirit of cooperation and fellowship shown to their parents whilst they were occupied in Military duties.’
Training in Queensland followed to prepare the battalion for a totally different war in the tropical conditions of New Guinea and against a very different enemy. Bill arrived in Milne Bay in August ’43. The following month on the 4th September he was wounded in action but chose to remain with his Battalion. In his recent book, Derrick VC In His Own Words, Mark Johnston meticulously collates Derrick’s diaries. The entry for that day was “Our wave landed okay – could get little reliable news of progress to date. After a few hours of delay & another visit by Jap bombers no casualties this time – we moved to the near bank of Buso River and bivvied for the night.”
Bill received a promotion to Lance Corporal in October, with Mark Johnston’s diaries of Diver Derrick describing the action of 11th November ’43. “8 Pl moving out on a pretty risky patrol well into enemy territory. Lieut McKinnon in charge, our strength 25. – Going very difficult, reached Sisi village at 1100 hrs and very fortunately contacted Sgt Ashby’s patrol in southern end of Sissi. Whilst exchanging notes 5 Japs appeared and were promptly dealt with. A further making of plans found me moving around west of village with Cpl Fennels section to encircle two huts containing approx. 20 Japs. From dugouts 12 yards down slope 5 enemy emerged apparently with intention of fleeing. Myself with rifle, Pte Peter Martin Bren gun, Cpl Fennel & Pts McGill Owen guns and L/Cpl Wall, Pte Hockey, Pte Domaschenz rifle opened fire on them killing 4 wounding 1 who made off screaming. A further engagement where both sides again seen us on top. Meanwhile Sgt Ashby with patrol moved around eastern side of village to kill 3 more Japs.”
Bill remained in New Guinea until his return to Australia via Brisbane in February ’44. Prior to departing again, the two Wall brothers, Beau Jones and Harry Lohmann all from the 2/48th battalion were able to attend the Easter Sports Meeting of the Pinnaroo Sports Committee where again they were hailed and warmly welcomed.
Bill rose to become a Sergeant in August ’45 but the following month contracted a suspected hookworm infection causing him to be evacuated. He was briefly able to re-join his battalion in October before leaving Morotai, returning to South Australia and camp hospital with an extremely high temperature (a condition called Pyrexia of Unknown Origin). Several weeks of hospitalisation followed throughout June ’44 before he was able to return to his battalion at the end of that month. Ill health continued to stalk Bill with appendicitis occurring at the end of the year, and more hospitalisation. Eventually he was discharged on the 23rd November ’45, over a year after Henry’s discharge. His record stated the discharge was on compassionate grounds. By 6th March ’47 a statement appeared in the Government Gazette that ‘The King has been graciously pleased to give orders for the undermentioned appointments and awards and for the publication of the names shown hereunder as having been Mentioned in Despatches in recognition of services rendered in the South-West Pacific Area during the period 1st April, 1945, to 15th August, 1945, as follows (with effect from 2nd November. 1946) Corporal William Charles Wall SX13031, Australian Military Forces, For able and distinguished services in Borneo.’ A fitting tribute for the services Bill had rendered.
Bill’s 65-year-old mother died in November ’50 and Bert in May ’56 aged 78. They had also moved back to Victoria and were both buried in the Kyneton Cemetery, Victoria.
Bill’s medals were eventually forwarded to him in Kyneton. They included the 1939/45 Star, the African Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal. Bill married Doris Mae who later pre-deceased him, dying on the 12th October ’81. Bill died on the 17th February 1989 and is buried in the Kyneton Cemetery Victoria, where his parents also rest.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133 2/48th Battalion