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Robert (Bob) and his twin brother, John (Jack) were born in Cummins on the 8th October 1919 to Francis (Frank) Lancelot and Sylvia Maud Reed. Bob was one of six children, including younger brother William (Bill) and sisters Rena Ann, Marjorie Sylvia and Grace. The children grew up on the Eyre Peninsula in Cummins, just north of Port Lincoln an area known for its grain farming, with the local railway well utilised to transport wheat to Port Lincoln for export. Bob’s father, Frank a farmer, was active in his efforts on the Cummins Agricultural and Horticultural Committee for over fourteen years and secretary for seven of those years. He was also energetic in supporting the local football and cricket teams for which the boys played. Bob was a very competent cricketer both as a batsman and bowler.
He became a blacksmith and worked locally, enjoying being part of local activities. A huge event for the times was the official ‘switching on’ of electric lights at Cummins in September ’39 with power supplied by the local the Umlauf Engineering Co. This was driven by two National diesel engines with the lights being clearly seen from Cabot's Hill, many miles from the township. To celebrate, the Cummins Hotel hosted a banquet, enjoyed by the Reeds.
Bob’s parents organised a surprise 21st birthday party for him and Jack with musical items, including tap dancing being part of the celebrations. Just three months later the twins and younger brother Bill all enlisted to serve in WWII at Pt Lincoln on 11th Jan ’41. Six other local young men enlisted on the same day. The brothers were allocated consecutive numbers with 20-year-old Bill being SX11152, John (Jack) SX11153 and Robert SX11154. They were to become reinforcements for the depleted 2/48th Battalion. A social was held for the brothers and Clem Mickan with a huge crowd attending. The local defence unit formed a guard of honour for the new enlistees. The National Anthem was sung, and speeches made praising the young men, each of whom responded.
The brothers left by sea on the Minnipa at the end of January to attend their first camp with nine other recruits from the area. By March they had returned home to enjoy a social in their and Clem Mickan’s honour in the Cummins Hall. With all three sons enlisting, and Frank not therefore able to continue farming, Frank and Sylvia decided to sell their Cummins farm and move to a sheep property at Calca. The locals presented Frank and Sylvia with a mantel clock during interval at the Cummins football match in July.
Early days for the brothers were spent in camp at Terowie before they were sent to the Middle East, arriving in August ’41, spending time at the Staging camp Amiriya. In Adelaide to Alamein, based on the war diaries of his father, Darren Paech wrote that Bill was sent to ‘A Company as a rifleman to replace casualties. It was reassuring for him to get posted to the same unit as his brothers, but he now had the added worry of wondering if they would all make it back alive.’ He added that ‘By the middle of 1941, the 2/48th Battalion men were hardened, tanned and confident in their abilities as front-line soldiers. They had now proven themselves in combat.
In May ‘42 Transport Driver C. H. Earl, with the A.I.F. In the Middle East, wrote home with his letter concluding ‘The three Reed boys from Cummins are camped only a few hundred yards away from me, but I have not been able to get leave to go and see them yet.’
Preparations for the taking of Trig 29, went smoothly with stores and ammunition being assembled and sent forward. For the men, each day was largely indistinguishable from the next, with incessant artillery fire, dust, heat and nervous tension their constant companions.’
In an interview many years later, Bill Reed shared that he had a premonition that he would be wounded that night. He admitted that he told no one and kept his fears to himself.
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.’ 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.
Bill’s premonition was correct. He was hit by a 3-inch piece of shrapnel and could go no further. Whilst in an ambulance (with a wounded German soldier) Bill immediately enquired about his two brothers. In Adelaide to Alamein Darren Paech wrote ‘It turned out that his brother, Bob had been hit by shrapnel just after Bill and was actually travelling in the ambulance behind him. He had been carried off the battle field by Sergeant Tex Weston, who had already been hit several times himself. Bob would be okay.’ Bob was similarly wounded in action with several wounds to his right thigh and left knee and was evacuated to hospital for a month. However, there was no news of Bob’s twin, Jack in the Machine Gun Platoon. Frustrated, Bill discharged himself, organised being reissued with a rifle and equipment, then hid in a truck taking reinforcements and lightly wounded men back to the 2/48th. He then hitch-hiked to the Machine Gun Platoon where he was told not to go near Jack. Ignoring that advice, Bill found Jack in his dugout shaking with horrific shell-shock. Jack had been found bleeding from the ears and nose, mute and shaking violently on the battlefield. Bill just hugged his brother and promised he would write home saying all three had survived the battle. The effects on Jack were long lasting. He remained with the 2/48th in an administrative role, finally being discharged in ’46,
In the November ’42 issue of the Chronicle the brothers Bill and Bob were listed as two of 35 soldiers wounded. Jack’s severe concussion was not acknowledged. The Port Lincoln Times also shared the news in their November edition that ‘Mr. and Mrs. F. L. Reed, of Cummins, have been notified that two of their sons, Bob and Bill, have been wounded in action in Egypt. They enlisted in January 1941 and went overseas in the following April.’
Finally, the 2/48th Battalion left the Middle East in February ‘43, arriving in Australia via Melbourne. The remnants of the Battalion 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.’ In March ’43 the three Reed brothers, Charlie Hewitt SX7629 also from the 2/48th plus Don Aird SX20045 arrived home on leave. Having had two years of active service in the Middle East, the Reed family hosted a welcome back party at their home, with dancing, items and speeches. Charlie, Don and the Mickan ‘boys’ from the 2/48th were all in attendance.
By April ’43 a social was also held for the 2nd AIF men who had returned. The three brothers and Clem Mickan were able to enjoy the celebrations together. Dancing and a variety of items were presented including a tap dance from Private Bob Reed. Bob was then soon on his way to Queensland to train for war in the tropical conditions of New Guinea and against a totally different enemy. Whilst training in Queensland, Bob contracted acute bronchitis in May ’43 but recovered to head for Milne Bay, arriving in August that year. By March ’44 The Port Lincoln Times was delighted to announce that Ptes. C. 'O’Farrell C. Hewitt, Jack and Bill Reed and Jack Turner were spending leave at their respective homes in Cummins. The following year, Bob had an extremely high fever (Pyrexia of Unknown Origin). This was followed by both Bob and his twin brother Jack sustained second degree acid burns on their legs whilst on duty opening a drum of acid. A formal investigation revealed that there was no evidence of neglect, misconduct or carelessness’ either on his or ‘another person’s’ (Jack’s) part. It remained unclear what the brothers were doing at the time. The brothers received medical treatment for three weeks before being able to re-join their 2/48th Battalion.
Bob and Jack were eventually discharged on the 29th January, ’46 and Bob headed to Tumby Bay to holiday. Two years later, he was proud to be part of Jack’s wedding to Ellen Lower in April ’48 as groomsman and younger brother Bill was best man. Bob also married Evelyn Rose and they had a daughter Diana.
Aged 78, Bob died on the 21st June 1997 with an announcement placed in the Port Lincoln Times: ‘REED, Robert Francis Passed away on June 21, 1997. Aged 78 years Loved husband of Evelyn. Loved Pa of Diana & Dale; Fletcher, Jason, Scott, Trampus. Great mate of Waggles. Rest in peace. Mr Reed's funeral service was conducted by Fr Robert Haste in the Anglican Church, Cummins on Tuesday, June 24, followed by interment in the Cummins Cemetery.’
Evelyn lived to be 80. She died in the Cummins Hospital on July 28th 2000, again with the Port Lincoln Times carrying the news. ‘REED, Evelyn Rose Passed away at Cummins Hospital on July 28, 2000. Aged 80 years. Dearly loved wife of Robert (deceased). Loving mother of Diana and mother-in-law of Dale (Nugent). Grandma of Fletcher, Jason, Scott and Belle, and Trampus and Renae Great-grandma of Madison. Resting peacefully. A private funeral was held.’
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.