Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Walter was born on the 28th November 1917 in Undalya in the Clare Valley, a settlement between Auburn and Rhynie. He was the second son of William and Clara Jane (nee Maizey) Treagus and named in honour of his 82-year-old paternal grandfather who later died in December 1931. Walter had five brothers, Wilfred Ross (Dick), William Robert (Bill), Keith Everard, Joseph Arthur, and Frederick Charles who died as a two-year-old in 1926. There were also five sisters, Eliza, Ruby, Thelma, Phyllis, and Eleanor .
The older children’s early years were spent in the Clare Valley where Walter firstly attended the Undalya school before moving to the local Auburn school, gaining a prize for attendance in Grade V.
With the outbreak of WWII, William was already part of the militia as S7185. The next three brothers, 23-year-old Walter, 21-year-old Joseph Arthur and20-year-old Keith all enlisted to serve on the 19th February 1941. The older and younger, Walter and Keith SX11345 and SX11350 respectively were both allocated to the 2/48th Battalion. Joseph, SX11349 was allocated to the 2/27th Battalion. To have three brothers all enlisting, was quite unusual, prompting the Chronicle in August ‘41 to publish a photo of the three sons who were by that time serving abroad.
Walter and Keith’s battalion was in Tobruk at the start of April 1941 where the dust, flies, heat, minimal water supplies and constant bombardment were quite a challenge to these fresh new enlistees. Back home the community continued to work to provide extra necessities for those serving overseas. The C.W.A. collected such basics as face washers and recorded parcels of comfort being posted to Privates, Jack and Keith. Little pieces of information dribbled in and were readily shared, via the local newspapers. Private Frank Miller, SX11301 with the 2/8th Field Ambulance wrote to his family in Kyancutta in September ’41 describing the conditions in Palestine: ‘I have been here three weeks now and have not heard a sound of the war yet. At many of the places, where we stopped during our train journey through the desert, the Arabs tried to sell us various kinds of fruit. They advertised their wares by shouting, "Very nice, very sweet, very hygienic." In the jostling, some of the fruit was dropped and hastily picked up, but the shouting continued— "Very nice, very sweet, very hygienic! " The Arabs were very dirty in appearance and not much fruit changed hands. Arab children pleaded for backsheesh. Palestine money is peculiar to handle at first. A coin the size of our shilling is only worth 3d. Their pound note is made up of 1,000 mils and is a bit larger than our pound note. It is worth 257 of our money. The 5, 10 and 15 mil pieces are silver coins with a hole in the centre. The 50-mil piece is the size of our shilling and is worth 1/3. It is also of silver but has no hole in it. The 100 mil piece is the same as our 2/-piece.” Frank then also reports about Ptes. Jack and Keith Treagus, believed to be in Tobruk, sharing the news of having received parcels sent them by the Kyancutta C.W.A. in March. This was such precious news to those at home.
Seventeen months after enlisting, Jack’s younger brother Keith was killed in action on the 22nd July, 1942. He had not survived to celebrate his 22nd birthday. The 2/48th battalion was attempting to capture West Point in a dawn attack. In his book, ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’, John G. Glenn described the ferocious encounter; ‘When the troops were well forward of the start-line they came under terrific fire from shells and mortars from the front and left and suffered heavy casualties. With the slow deliberate movement of perfectly trained soldiers both companies continued the advance in perfect formation, over ground that trembled and erupted with vicious explosions. Through this, sometimes obscured by the smoke and dust, the men moved, and, as they advanced, the fire kept place with them, leaving behind the still shapes of fallen men among the camel bush and sand.’
Within a month, tragedy again struck for Jack’s older brother, William in August when his 21-year-old wife, Nellie died in the Royal Adelaide Hospital.
Soon after, reports were received that Jack was ‘back with the boys again after a month in hospital in Syria, where he was wounded in the foot.’ The Chronicle carried the news of Jack’s wounding in December ’42 in what became known as the Battle of El Alamein which occurred in late October during a week of violent battle. This was described in John Glenn’s book, Tobruk to Tarakan: ‘Shells, both ant-tank and 88mm., poured into the 2/48th Battalion area for several long hours. All day long the already tired men were forced to crouch in their shallow trenches listening to the whine and crunch of shells, and to calls for stretcher bearers. No call went unanswered, not even when it meant bearers having to race across the open ground into terrible fire to bring aid to the wounded or dying.’ Those listed as wounded with Jack included ‘Diver’ Derrick whom the troops believed should have gained a VC for his efforts at the time. Those listed with Jack included SX16772 Pte. Stanley H. Asgood, 2/43rd Kilkenny; SX9574 Pte. Walter H. Baohm, 2/48th Beetaloo Valley; SX5465 Pte. George S. Bishop, 2/43rd North Adelaide; SX6729 Pte. Thomas D. Colling. 2/48th Broken Hill; SX5274 L-Cpl. Francis J. Cutler 2/43rd Bowden on Hill; SX7964 Cpl. Thomas C Derrick, 2/48th Berri; SX11938 Pte. Allan J. Dow, 2/48th Glencoe East; SX7501 Pte. Ronald H. Gerlach, 2/48th Angaston; SX7291 Pte. Arthur T. Grocke. 2/48th Koongawa; SX7923 Sgt. Rowland F. Hayward, 2/48th Norwood; SX8560 Pte. John W. Hodgson, 2/43rd Barmera; SX5138 Pte. Desmond G. Loxton, 2/48th Ponde; SX10383 Pte. Milton J. Miles, 2/48th Foreston; SX773G Pte. Sidney J. Mountford, 2/48th Willowie: SX8054 Pte. Michael W. J. Salter, 2/48th Unley Park; SX11348 Pte. W. J. Treagus. Inf., Kyancutta.
Despite continuing to serve, Jack and his family remembering Keith.
Advertiser Friday 14 August 1942, TREAGUS.—On July 22 killed In action. Sgt. Keith E. (Gus). fourth son of William and Clara Treagus. of Karkoo (late of Kyancutta) loving brother of Thelma, Phyllis. Ruby, Bill, Jack (abroad), Jon (AXF, Australia). Eleanor. Wilfred, and Beth, aged 21 years 11 months. He gave his all.
Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Thursday 22 July 1943, page 10 TREAGUS — In loving memory of our dear son and brother, K. E. Treagus (Gus), who was killed at El Alamein, July 22, 1942. — Inserted by his loving mother, father, sisters and brothers.
Advertiser Saturday 21 July 1945, TREAGUS Treasured memories of dear Keith (Gus). killed In action July 22, 1942. Only those who knew him realise the greatness of his sacrifice-— Ever remembered by his two brothers Jack. Joe (AJ.F.).
Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), Monday 22 July 1946, page 14 TREAGUS.—In memory of our dear brother, Keith, killed in action, July 22 1942. El Alamein. Silent memories, true and tender Just to show we still remember —Sadly missed by his sisters, brothers. Thelma. Beth. Bill, Jack. Joe.
Port Lincoln Times Thursday 17 July 1947, TREAGUS. — In loving memory of brother Keith, killed in action at El Alamein July 22, 1942. Deep in our hearts a memory is kept Of one we loved and never shall forget. Ever remembered by his sister Beth, Jack and Marlene. TREAGUS. —In loving memory of our dear brother Keith, killed in action July 22, 1942, at El Alamein. A little white cross a long way from here Marks the last resting place of a brother we all loved so dear. Ever remembered by his sisters, Thelma, Phyllis, brothers Bill, Jack and Joe.
Jack was eventually discharged in January ’46. He lived to be almost 80 and died in 1994.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion