Stanley Joseph MCMULLIN

MCMULLIN, Stanley Joseph

Service Number: SX12662
Enlisted: 10 May 1941
Last Rank: Private
Last Unit: Not yet discovered
Born: Ballarat, Victoria, Australia, 19 December 1920
Home Town: North Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Not yet discovered
Died: 17 July 1964, aged 43 years, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered
Cemetery: West Terrace Cemetery (General) Adelaide, South Australia
Memorials:
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World War 2 Service

10 May 1941: Involvement Private, SX12662
10 May 1941: Enlisted Adelaide, SA
10 May 1941: Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Private, SX12662
1 Feb 1945: Discharged

Brothers in the 2/48th Battalion

Stan was the third of four sons born in the thriving city of Ballarat in Victoria on the 19th December, 1920 to Margaret Mary and Leslie James McMullin. His three brothers were Leslie James (Mac), Thomas Vincent (Tom) and Kevin Francis. Their father was initially an employee of the railways, then later turned his hand to politics.
Prior to Stan’s birth, but in a quite unusual theft, when his mother Margaret attended a picture theatre at the Ballarat Coliseum with her first son Leslie, she left the baby carry pram outside, as was the custom, to find when she returned at the conclusion of the film, it had later been stolen. Fortunately, the pram was quite distinctive, so the thief was later apprehended, and the pram returned. Her excuse for taking the pram was that “it was raining heavily when she came out of the hall, and, seeing the perambulator, she put her baby in it and wheeled it home. Defendant, in answer to the charge, said she was sorry for what she had done, and- desired the bench to deal with the case. A fine of £1 was imposed, with the alternative of seven days' imprisonment.”
The McMullin family moved to live in Adelaide, but it was a challenging time, with their father, Leslie Snr being fined, along with his brother George, for taking illegal bets at the Saracen's Head Hotel in Adelaide for another bookmaker in ‘26. A hefty fine followed. The troubled marriage faltered with Leslie eventually being taken to court and a separation granted in ‘28, with Margaret having custody of the four boys and to receive maintenance from then on. This however, continued to be in arrears in the ensuing years until an inevitable divorce was granted in January ’47.
Despite the constant struggle to bring up her sons, life continued to challenge Margaret. In tragic circumstances, when Sam was just 17, his 20-year-old brother Leslie died on the 29th May 1938. The Advertiser carried the terrible news that ‘Leslie James McMullin, 20, of Burgan Street, Broadview, was found dead in an outhouse near a barber's shop on the Irish Harp Road, Enfield about 5 p.m. yesterday. Dr G. de Crespeny pronounced life extinct and the body was removed by a civil ambulance to the morgue. The dead man was subject to fits, as the result of an accident some years ago. Constable Siebert of Prospect is preparing a report for the Coroner Mr. Blackburn.’ Leslie was buried in the Catholic Cemetery at West Terrace. His mother, brothers and friends remembered this young man who died so young.
Advertiser Saturday 20 May 1939 McMULLIN.—In loving memory of Les, "Mac" who passed away on the 20th of May, 1938. Thoughts return to days gone past. Time moves on but memories last. —Inserted by his friends. Mr. and Mrs. G. May and family. McMULLIN.—In loving memory of our dear Leslie, who passed away on the 20th of May, 1938. Deep In our hearts there is always a memory Of you we will never forget. —Inserted by his loving mother and brothers McMULLIN.—In loving memory of Les, who died on the 20th of May. 1938. Fondest memories. —Molly Stevens.
Stan’s older brother, Tom enlisted at Kensington just days prior to his 21st birthday on January 2nd, 1940. He was assigned the number SX13102 and was allocated to the newly formed 2/48th Battalion.
The following year, Stan enlisted on the 10th May ’41 and was also allocated to the 2/48th as SX12662 and nominated his new wife, Joyce as his next of kin. Stan’s youngest brother Kevin Francis enlisted in the RAAF becoming a Leading Aircraftman number 152344 and he also survived the war, being discharged in May ’46. Stan was wounded during fighting but by May ’42 had officially been removed from the published injury lists, as had Pte Robert Biggs SX9368, and Private Keith Hausler.
Just months after this comparatively ‘good’ news was received, The Advertiser published an article reporting that ‘Mrs. M. M. McMullin, of North Adelaide, has been informed that her son. Pte. T. V. McMullin, 23. was killed in action in Egypt on October 31. Before enlisting with the AIF. Pte. McMullin was employed at the James Smith Furnishing Emporium. A younger brother is with the AIF abroad.’ Tom had been sent to the Middle East where, aged 23, he was killed in action on 31st October, ’42 in the massive attack to ambitiously take the strategic position of Trig 29. At that stage, Stan was also abroad when he learned of the news. It was a further blow to Margaret, Stan and Kevin to have now lost two brothers.
Both these siblings survived the war with Sam being discharged in February ’45. In the following month, Tom was reburied on the 14th March, ’45 and is now commemorated at the El Alamein War Cemetery in Plot A II. Row C Grave 8. His mother chose the inscription ‘Sacred Heart of Jesus, have Mercy on his Soul.’ Tom is also remembered on his mother’s and brothers’ graves in the West Terrace Cemetery.
Stan and Joyce continued to remember their brother and brother-in-law in ensuing years.
Advertiser Tuesday 15 December 1942, MRS. M. McMullin and family thank all kind friends and relatives for expressions sympathy in the sad loss of their son and brother Tom, killed in action in Egypt, Oct. 31. Please accept this as a personal expression of gratitude.
Advertiser Tuesday 31 October 1944, McMULLIN.—In loving memory of dear Tom, killed in action El Alamein, October 1942. Gone from us his smiling face, his loving, cheerful ways: the heart that won so many friends in happy, bygone days.—Remembered always by his brothers, Stanley (A.1.F.) and Kevin (R.A.A.F). R.I.P. MCMULLIN. —In remembrance of Tom, who made his supreme sacrifice at El Alamein on October 31, 1942. He gave his life for those he loved and left us to remember. —Inserted by his loving brother Stan (A.I.F) and sister-in-law Joyce.
Advertiser Thursday 31 October 1946. McMULLIN. —In loving memory of my dear son Tom, killed in action. El Alamein October 31. He lies across the ocean, amongst Australian brave: may God help us to be worthy of the sacrifice he made. —Always remembered by mother, brothers Kev and Stan, sister-in-law Joyce.
Stan’s mother, Margaret died on the 31st March 1958, several years after peace was declared. She was interred with her 20-year-old son, Leslie in the West Terrace Cemetery. Less than six years later her remaining two sons both died in 1964. Stanley Joseph, aged 43 on the 17th July and Kevin Francis on the 11th November. All four sons and their mother now are remembered together at the Catholic Section of West Terrace Cemetery Row F, Site 127.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes, SX8133, 2/48th Battalion

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