Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Sydney (Vin) was born in the suburb of Walkerville on the 17th May 1920. The family later moved to Curramulka, a farming area on the Yorke Peninsula. On his 21st birthday Vin enlisted to serve in WWII. He became SX12854 and was allocated to the 2/48th Battalion where another Goodes family member, Roy David was serving. Roy, who had enlisted the previous year at Minlaton on the 29th June ’40, became SX6917 in the newly formed 2/48th Battalion, which may have also influenced Vincent’s allocation to this same battalion.
As they had done for previous enlistees, the local Community again organised a farewell for Private Vincent Goodes in the Curramulka Institute whilst he was on pre-embarkation leave in July. A live band provided good music for dancing, and vocal items were rendered as were other entertainments before a formal presentation by the Returned Soldiers. Pte. Goodes was accompanied on the stage where, on behalf of the residents of the town and district Vin was presented with a wristlet watch. Vin then thanked those present before the heartfelt singing "For he's a jolly good fellow." A typical country supper was then served and "Auld Lang Syne" brought the successful gathering to a close.
Vin was one of three local enlistees back home in August ’41, including Privates Henry Tucker S34556 and George Short, S29994. In the Middle East, by July ’42 the 2/48th Battalion was ordered to El Alamein along the coast to capture Tel el Eise and thus create a wedge between the advancing German forces and the sea. The battalion attacked just before dawn on the 10th July, claiming Tel el Eise and approximately 400 prisoners. The main offensive at El Alamein occurred in October ’42 in a massive assault to ambitiously take the strategic position of Trig 29. The action was described in ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’ as that ‘the 2/48th had stirred up a real hornets’ nest.’ On that night alone 9 of the Battalion were killed and 20 wounded in action. Of these16 were from South Australia and the remainder from Western Australia and it was during this major offensive that Vin and others from his battalion were wounded.
An extensive list was published in the November ‘42 issue of the Chronicle. It listed nine from Vin’s battalion either killed in action or who died of their wounds. They included SX8468 Pte. Patrick H. Hoare, SX13570 Pte. Charles Holman, SX7771 Pte. Henry O. Lohmann, SX6848 Cpt. Alfred F. Meyer, SX3149 Col. Arthur. H. Peters, SX11768 Pte. John R. Smith, SX13535 Pte. Allan L. Thessinger, SX13162 Pte. Thomas B. Cosgrave and SX7917 Pte. Leslie A. King. Vin was one of 26 from his battalion who were listed as being wounded in action. The 2/48th had paid a high price for their success.
Vin’s battalion eventually left the Middle East to return home on leave in June ’44. His Curramulka community welcomed him and Pte Glen Bawden SX17563 who had enlisted the month before Vin.
With the war coming to a conclusion, Vin was discharged on the 7th November ’45.
At a time where he should have been enjoying peace and being with his young family, Vin’s 31-year-old wife, Shirley Monica died in January ’59 leaving two children, Leoni and baby Craig. She now rests in the Minlaton Cemetery. Craig (Buster) also died young, aged 47 in June 2005 and is also buried in the same cemetery with his mother.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.