Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Basil was one of three children of Murray Osborn and Florence Lydia Shepard. He was born in the Adelaide suburb of Maylands on 10th November, 1915 and grew up in the aptly named garden suburb of Colonel Light Gardens. He had two siblings, older brother Colin and Audrey. The family were quite regularly noted in the social columns of the Advertiser as they attended ‘Coming of Age’ parties and other social events in the nearby suburbs. Sadly, just prior to Basil’s twelfth birthday, his 38-year-old father died in hospital in April ‘27 and was later buried in the Payneham Cemetery.
Basil’s senior years of schooling were spent at Adelaide Technical High where he gained his Intermediate Certificate and later, while attending the School of Mines and Industries gained an Advanced Credit in Book-Keeping. This held him in good stead with his employment as an accountant in the Lands Title Office and Taxation Departments in the city. Post war, Adelaide High continued to hold his sacrifice in permanent regard through their Old Scholars’ WWII Honor Roll.
When older brother, Colin married Hilda Baker at Scots Church in December ’40 Basil was chosen as Colin’s best man. Five months later, Basil was also to become engaged. He chose to enlist at Wayville on the 5 May 1941 as a 25-year-old. Prior to embarking for the Middle East, then Lieutenant Basil and Gwenyth Mary Eyles announced their engagement. Gwen was a volunteer with the VAD (Voluntary Aid Detachment), a group of volunteers who provided nursing care throughout the war.
Basil was allocated to the newly formed 2/48th Battalion which was to become one of the most decorated but decimated Battalions. He was given the number SX12500, then spent his initial days in the cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds before the new enlistees headed to Woodside for their preliminary training. Basil was soon being shipped over to the Middle East to Syria and Tobruk, where much more primitive conditions were experienced.
By 1942 conditions were ever-changing and the fighting continuous. Montgomery had ordered the 9th Battalion to attack northward in what was to be relentless fighting in in a massive assault to ambitiously take the strategic position of Trig 29. John Glenn in his book, ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’ describes the carnage.
‘The attack continued, however, without pause…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.’
When the 2/48th moved forward Glenn wrote: ‘Lieutenant Shepard, machine gun platoon commander, was well forward for the attack with his platoon when Jack Marshall ran up against a trip wire, sending up a flare which lit the area like day. This brought down heavy German fire, and Shepard was wounded in the arm. Just as his wound was being dressed a mortar exploded at his feet, and he was again wounded. L McEvoy, R Matthews and C.W. Morgan were all wounded by the same mortar. Shepard’s wounds were such that he died in hospital on 31st October.’
Basil’s mother received the news of his death, which was also published in the Advertiser in November ’42 ‘Mrs. F. Shepard of Richmond Avenue Colonel Light Gardens, has been informed that her son, Lt. Basil Shepard, died on October 31 of wounds received in action in Egypt. He was employed at the Taxation Department before enlisting.’ The Chronicle also listed those who had died of wounds at a similar time to Basil. They included 22-year-old Thomas (Marshall) Mewett SX12890 from Kersbrook 23-year-old Lance Corporal Percival James (Mick) Cleave, SX6662 from Mangalo, both from Basil’s 2/48th Battalion. Others also killed were those from the 2/7th 2/13th, 2/15th, 2/17th, 2/23rd Battalions.
Aged 26, Basil died of his wounds sustained in the fierce, relentless fighting. for Trig 29. He was re-buried in the Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery Extension in Egypt Plot 4. Row C. Grave 2. His mother chose the inscription ‘Too dearly loved to be forgotten’. He now rests with 24-year-old Private T.B Cosgrove SX13162 from the 2/48th Battalion and others from different battalions who died at a similar time.
Family friends and civilian work colleagues continued to remember Basil in the ensuing years.
Advertiser November 1942, page 10 SHEPARD. —Killed in action in Egypt on Oct. 31, 1942. —Loving memories of my dear son Basil, and brother of Audrey and Colin. SHEPARD. —A loving tribute to the memory of Shep, died of wounds received in action, Egypt, October 31, 1942. — Dearly loved fiancé of Gwen. SHEPARD. —A loving tribute to Lieut. Basil Shepard, died of wounds received in action in Egypt, October 31, 1942. —Will ever be remembered by Fred Eyles and family. SHEPARD, Lt. B. —A tribute of love to memory of dear nephew Basil, died in Egypt Oct. 31. "To live in the hearts of those we leave behind is not to die." — Inserted by auntie Els, uncle Col. Mile End. SHEPARD.—A loving tribute to a very dear comrade and friend, Bas, fell on active service, Egypt, Oct. 31, 1942.— Snow and Gwen Green. SHEPARD. —Fond memories of Bas, who gave his life in Egypt Oct. 31, 1942. —Ever remembered by Barbara and Charlie. SHEPARD. —A loving tribute to dear Basil, died of woundsln Egypt. Oct. 31. A noble life given for a noble cause. — Ever remembered. Uncle Chris. Auntie Lot. and family. MRS. F. Shepard and family. Col. Light Gdns. wish thank all kind friends and relations for expressions sympathy in loss of her dear son and brother. Lt Basil Shepherd, died of wounds in Egypt. Oct. 31st 1942.
Advertiser Monday 1 November 1943, SHEPARD A tribute to the memory of Lieut. Basil Shepard. killed Middle East. Oct. 31. 1943.—Ever remembered by Norm, and Ursula Wasley. SHEPARD. —In loving memory of Basil, who died of wounds, October 31. 1942. He gave his life that we may live. —Always remembered by all at Trevena, Forreston. SHEPARD. Lt. B.—ln loving memory of our friend Basil, who gave his all Oct. 31. 1942. None mentions his name but in praise. —Ever remembered by Bette and Doug
Advertiser Tuesday 31 October 1944, SHEPARD. —In loving memory or our dear son and brother. Basil, died of wounds, Egypt, October 31. 1942. The passing of years can never dim our thoughts of one we loved so dear. —Sadly missed by mother. Audrey and Reg. SHEPARD. —In loving memory of our dear brother Basil, died of wounds. Egypt. October 31, 1942. No matter what the years may bring beautiful memories of our brother will always cling. —Sadly missed by your brother Colin and sister-in-law Hilda. SHEPARD. LI. B.—A tribute to the memory of dear Bas. who paid the supreme sacrifice at El Alamein October ' 31. 1942. —Aunty Els and Col. SHEPARD A tribute to the memory of Basil, who died of wounds at El Alamein. October 31. 1942.—Remembered as one of the best by his friends in the Lands Titles Office. Adelaide. SHEPARD. —In loving memory of Basil, who died of wounds at El Alamein on October 31. 1942.—Ever remembered by loving cousin Enid Watson. SHEPARD. —In loving memory of Basil, died El Alamein. October 31. Two years have passed, but thoughts of you will always last. —Ever remembered by - Bette and Doug. SHEPARD. —In fond memory of Basil. who died ot wounds October 31, 1942. Years pass on, but memories linger. Inserted by Mr. and Mrs Green and Reg and Gwen. SHEPARD. —In loving memory of Basil, who was killed at El Alamein. on Oct. 30. 1942.—Ever remembered by all at Trevena, Forreston. In memory of the boys of 2/48th Battalion, who gave their lives at El Alamein between Oct. 23-31. At the going down of the sun and In the morning we will re member them. —lnserted by Dick Dawson, 2/48th Batt returned.
Advertiser Wednesday 31 October 1945, SHEPARD. —In loving memory of Basil died of wounds Egypt October 31. 1942. Too dearly loved to be forgotten. —Sadly missed by mother. Audrey and Reg. SHEPARD, Lt. B.—ln loving memory or Bas. died of wounds El Alamein, October 31. 1942.—Always remembered by Bette and Doug. SHEPARD. —In loving memory of Basil, died of wounds, Egypt. October 31, 1942. Not a day do we forget you, dear brother, in our hearts you're always near.—Lovingly remembered by Colin and Hilda. SHEPARD. —In memory of Basil, who died of wounds at El Alamein. October 31, 1942. —Remembered by his friends In the Lands Titles Office. Adelaide. SHEPARD. —in loving memory of Lieut. Basil Shepard. who died of wounds at El Alamein.—Always remembered by Watson family. SHEPARD. —In loving memory of Basil, died. El Alamein. October 31. 1942.—Always remembered by Mr. and Mrs Green and Reg and Owen.
Advertiser Thursday 31 October 1946, SHEPARD. —In memory of Bas, El Alamein Oct. 31. 1942. —For ever remembered. Mr. and Mrs. G. Green, Reg and Gwen. SHEPARD. —In loving memory of Bas. who died of wounds at El Alamein. —Ever remembered by the Watson family. SHEPARD. —In loving memory of Basil, died. Egypt, October 31. 1942. The passing of years can never dim our thoughts of you.—Always remembered by mother. Audrey and Reg. SHEPARD. —In loving memory of our dear brother Basil, died of wounds. Egypt, October 31.1942. Sadly missed and longed for always. —Ever remembered by Colin and Hilda.
Advertiser), Friday 31 October 1947, SHEPARD. —In loving memory of Basil, died October 31. 1942. —Remembered Al ways by his brother Colin and Sister-in law Hilda. SHEPARD. —In loving memory of Basil, died Egypt. October 31. 1942.—Remembered always by mother, Audrey and Reg.

Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes, SX8133 2/48th Battalion.