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James, known as Jim was one of nine children born to James Snr and Ellen May Jarvis in the picturesque town of Strathalbyn, nestled alongside the River Angus on the Fleurieu Peninsula. Born on the 23rd November 1908, Jim was the fourth child and second son with siblings Daisy May, Ivy Myrtle, Dorothy, Daniel, Kenneth Gordon, Gladys Olive (Terry), Jack Verdun and Harry Lawrence.
As a young man, Jim was quite an athlete. At the local Bremer Lodge Picnic held at Langhorne Creek he successfully won the flat races and the hurdle race. Jim and his brothers Ken also played football initially for the local Strathalbyn team, with Jim being a regular goal sneak. His father also acting as timekeeper in the ‘home’ games. Unfortunately, the family fell on hard times, losing their small farm holding at Strathalbyn and moved to live at Murray Bridge where several of the boys gained labouring work. Jim and Ken again playing football for the local team, Murray Bridge.
The outbreak of WWII provided the opportunity for the sons to earn a regular pay, and they had plans to then buy a home for their parents. 29-year-old Ken was the first of the brothers to enlist at Murray Bridge on the 14th June 1940. He was immediately added to the newly formed 2/48th Battalion with the number SX7142 Jim’s two youngest brothers enlisted just days later, choosing Woodside in the Adelaide Hills, on the 22nd June ’40. (This may well have been because the brothers, particularly Harry were not well known by the locals.) 19-year-old Harry, manipulated his age, suggesting he was 22 when he enlisted with his next oldest brother, 21-year-old Jack. Harry was allocated the number SX6341 and Jack as SX6343 with both placed in the 2/3rd Machine Gun Battalion.
32-year-old Jim was the last brother to enlist on the 28th January ’41 and was immediately allocated to Ken’s 2/48th Battalion Reinforcements. By this time, Ken had arrived in the Middle East and was already facing the ferocious fighting. Sadly, unbeknown to the four brothers, they were fated not to see each other ever again.
Initially on his enlistment papers Jim gave his mother, Ellen as his next of kin, but then added his youngest brother, Harry, SX6341 already serving in the 2/3rd. Jim’s early training was in the mid-north region of Terowie where the conditions were considered similar to those the men would experience in the Middle East. Following brief leave, Jim embarked on the ‘Isle de France’ early in April, arriving in the Middle East on the 14th May, undertaking intensive training at the Amiriya Staging Camp. Just days earlier, his brother, Ken was severely injured and had died of his wounds on the 5th. Sadly, the brothers had not had the opportunity to see each other and Ken was buried before Jim’s arrival.
It was not unusual for brothers to enlist, but for four young men from the same family was extremely unusual. Military authorities had designed a ‘Female’s Relative’s Badge’ badge which allowed for up to three stars (for three enlistees) but a specially made one with four stars was made for Ellen May. This announcement was made in the June ’41 issue of the News but also carried the sad announcement of Ken’s death from wounds the previous month. ‘Woman Has Four Sons in A.I.F. On the lapel of her coat, Mrs. J. Jarvis. of Rundle street, Kent Town, has a row of battalion brooches which her four sons, Jim, Kenneth, Harry, and Jack, presented to her before they left with the A.I.F. Topping the row of brooches Is the female Relative's Badge, which, however, has only three stars to its bar. Military authorities at Wayville were unable to supply Mrs. Jarvis with a four-star badge-one for each of her sons. They are having one specially made. Mrs. Jarvis has received advice that one of her sons. Pte. Kenneth Jarvis. 29. died of wounds on May 4th ".
Unbeknown to Jim, his younger brothers, Jack and Harry, having been in Batavia for less than a month, were taken prisoner by the Japanese in March ’42.
Later that year, Jim was wounded in his left buttock during the intense fighting at the end of October ’42 and spent the next month and a half being treated before he was discharged to the 26th Training Battalion. At the time, Montgomery had ordered the 9th Battalion to attack northward in a massive assault to ambitiously take the strategic position of Trig 29. John Glenn in ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’ described the conditions. ‘Waiting to go into battle is not a good thing and the 2/48th had long hours of it this night. As the hours dragged on some of the men dozed in the trucks while others moved up and down near their vehicles, often gazing at the exploding shells which seemed to be creeping nearer. One shell made a direct hit on a truck, and a man was killed, then another struck and seven were wounded.’ ‘Pieces of shrapnel were slapping into the ground near the 2/48th trucks, and men began scraping and digging shallow trenches.’
‘On the morning of the 30th October the khamsin rose and blotted out the sight of “man’s inhumanity to man”. It spread like a great shroud over Egypt, half burying the dead, and hid for a brief moment the hate and passion of war. And under its cover plans were laid for the final blow by the 2/48th Battalion.’ ‘The task was a tremendous one. The battalion had been fighting hard for six days and had suffered many casualties. We thought of ourselves as few enough then. But surely even the bravest amongst us would have shuddered if they could have known to what a weary handful we would be reduced to by morning…’ Stan was extremely fortunate to survive. He was hospitalised before being able to return to the 2/48th in November.
Glenn described the conditions. ‘As the flies and heat made more than a couple of hours’ rest impossible, the men lolled in their holes and prepared their weapons for battle. When they moved off at 7:30 in the fading light there was little talking. There was a bitter night ahead. By ten o’clock the battalion was in position near Trig 29, waiting for the success signal of the 2/23rd.’
‘An ear shattering explosion dwarfed the sound of the guns into insignificance. Seven other trucks, all ladened with mines, had been set off. The whole area became a ghastly raging inferno. As trucks burned and exploded a great wall of fire shot into the sky. The gun flashes seemed dimmed; night was turned into day. The concussion was terrific..
‘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.’ A comment was later made about the heavy casualties. On that night alone 9 of the Battalion were killed and 20 wounded in action. Of these 16 were from South Australia and the remainder from Western Australia.
By November ’42 the Chronicle on Thursday 12 November 1942 carried another list of those in the 2/48th who were killed or wounded. The included: Died Of Wounds.—SX6893 Pte. Leslie C. Cutchie,Brompton Park; SX6672 Pte. G. F. Munday, Cowell; SX3917 Sgt. F. G. Ziesing, St. Peters. Wounded In Action.— SX9327 Lt. Thomas H. Bowman, SX7093 Cpl. Norman L. Badman, Pinnaroo; SX11069 Pte. Stanley J. Crowell, Price; SX9093 SX715O L/Cpl. Geoffrey Gardner, Bordertown; SX 12741 Pte. Jack Hoey, Kadina;, Pte. Ross. E. Hoskin, Kilkenny; SX11135 Pte, James N. Jarvis, Kent Town; SX8268 Cp! William K Mackay, Snowtown; SX7669 Pte. William Miller, Booleroo Centre; SX11753 Pte. Terrence C. O'Connor, Adelaide: SX13763 Pte. Eric. K. Reynolds, Novar Gardens;- SX5991 Pte. Stanley G. Smith: Croydon Park; SX7311 Pte. Rayner R. Stagg, Tarcowie; SX8539 Pte. Edward. J. . Young, Morgan.
Two days later, the News added more detail, listing three from Jim’s battalion. “Mr. and Mrs. Fred Smith, of Moonta Mines, have been notified that their fourth son. SX11768 Pte. John R. Smith, has been killed in action in Egypt. Pte. Smith enlisted from Port Victoria in 1941 and saw action at Tobruk and in Syria. Mr. F. O. Lohmann, of Murray Bridge, has been notified that his son, SX7771 Pte. Henry O. Lohmann, 30, was killed in action on October 25. Pte. Lohmann enlisted in 1940 and sailed for overseas service in November of that year. He was previously wounded in action twice. Well known in the Echunga and Mount Barker districts, he was a prominent member of the football clubs in those districts. Advice has been received that Pte. Jim Jarvis has been wounded in action in Egypt. One of the four Jarvis brothers, who, at the outbreak of war offered their services, Jim enlisted from Murray Bridge. His brother Ken was killed in action during the siege of Tobruk, whilst Jack and Harry were taken prisoner at Java. Pte. Jim Jarvis left for overseas service in 1940.”
By the end of December ’42 Jim was finally able to rejoin his own battalion in time to return with them to Australia at the commencement of February ’43. He disembarked in Melbourne before returning home to enjoy well-earned leave.
For Jim, training in Queensland followed, with the men preparing for the tropical conditions of New Guinea and to face a very different enemy. He was unaware that his brothers were dying in the appalling conditions as Prisoners of War. Jim sailed from Cairns, arriving in Milne Bay early in August ’43, not knowing of the demise of his brothers. By 29th June ‘43 Jim’s young brother, 24-year-old, Jack had died of cholera a wholly preventable disease caused by insanitary conditions and contaminated food. Initially buried in the Hintock Cemetery with 76 others, Jack was eventually given a soldier’s burial in March ’46 and now lies in the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery. Jim’s other young brother, 21-year-old Harry survived a further two months but died on the 29th August ‘43 of a highly preventable disease caused by a vitamin deficiency, called Avitaminosis. He had been forced to work in inhumane conditions on the River Kwai railroad linking Thailand to Burma. Harry now rests in the same Kanchanaburi War Cemetery as Jack.
Ironically, the News in October that year reported that “Mr. and Mrs. J. Jarvis, of Arundel street, Kent Town, have received a card from their son. Pte. H. L. Jarvis, A.I.F., to say that his brother, Cpl. J. V. Jarvis. is with him as a prisoner of war in Java and both are well. Mr. and Mrs. Jarvis had four sons in the A.I.F. One, Pte. Kenneth Jarvis, was killed in action at Tobruk. The fourth is still serving in New Guinea”.
Jim experienced Ill health, beginning with a high fever (Pyrexia of Unknown Origin), dyspepsia and malaria inevitably he returned from New Guinea to Brisbane in February ’44. Illness, the loss of his brother and conditions of war probably all contributed to Jim’s non-attendance at Parade – an action that cost him 10/-. Several bouts of malaria and a reoccurrence of a high fever continued with an added diagnosis of high blood pressure, preceding a further charge of ‘Conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline’ accompanying a large £2 fine in October ’44. This heralded Jim’s discharge in December.
While Jim was still serving he and the family placed a tribute each May in honour of Ken and continued to do so in the ensuing years.
Advertiser Thursday 22 May 1941, JARVIS. —On the 4th of May, died of wounds received on active service, Private Kenneth G. Jarvis, aged 29 years, dearly be-loved son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Jarvis, 41 Rundle street, Kent Town, late Murray Bridge, and loving brother of Jim, Jack and Harry, A.I.F. abroad. Deeply regretted.
Advertiser Saturday 24 May 1941, JARVIS.—On the 4th of May, died of wounds received on active service abroad, Kenneth G. son of Mr. and Mrs. Jarvis. Kent Town (late Murray Bridge), and loving brother of Jim. Jack and Harry (A.I.F. abroad). Dan (Whyalla). Ivy (Wudinna), Daisy and Dot (Murray Bridge), and Gladys (Ade laide).
Advertiser Adelaide, SA : 1942 Monday 4 JARVIS.—In loving memory of our darling son, Kenneth Gordon, killed in action in Tobruk, May 4, 1941. Beneath the Cross of Sacrifice, Withing a silent grave. His comrades laid him down to rest Among the honored brave. —Inserted by his mother and father, and brothers, Jim, Jack, Harry (serving abroad). JARVIS—-In sweet remembrance of my darling brother Ken, died of wounds received in action at Tobruk on May 4, 1941, aged 29 years. Always deep down in hearts Where love burns bright and true There is a light that will burn for ever In memory, dear Ken, of you. —Loved and remembered always by his loving sister and brother-in-law, niece and nephew, Ivy, Jack, Jim, and Betty. of Whyalla.
Advertiser Tuesday 4 May 1943, JARVIS.—In loving memory of our darling brother Ken. died of wounds, May 4. 1941, at Tobruk. Deep In my heart a memory is kept.—Ever remembered. Ivy. Jack, Jim, Betty Thooay, Whyalla.
Advertiser Thursday 4 May 1944,. JARVIS. Ken.—Died of wounds. Tobruk. May 4. 1941. Memories are golden no one can steal, death leaves a Heartache no one can heal.—Always remembered by Ivy. Jack. Jim and Betty. Whyalla.
Advertiser Friday 4 May 1945, JARVIS.— Loving memory of Ken, 2nd 48th, A.I.F., killed in action at Tobruk, May 4, 1941. You died defending us. Ken, the highest price you paid. We pray we may be worthy of the sacrifice you made.—Inserted by his mother, father and brother Jim (ret.) and Harry and Jack (prisoners of war). JARVIS.—In loving memory of my dear brother Ken, died of wounds at Tobruk, May 4, 1941. We hoped for his safe return, And longed to clasp his hand. But God postponed that meeting. It will be in a better land. —Ever remembered by his sister Ivy, Jack, Jim and Betty, Whyalla.
Advertiser Saturday 4 May 1946, JARVIS.—In sweet remembrance of my brother Ken, died of wounds, Tobruk, May 4, 1941. You will always be re-membered. - Ken, though the years may come and go.—Remembered always by Ivy, Jack. Jim and Betty. Whyalla.
Advertiser Wednesday 4 May 1949, JARVIS.—In loving memory of Ken, killed at Tobruk, 1941. —Ever remembered by his loving brother and sister, Jim and Terry.
Advertiser Friday 4 May 1951, JARVIS.— In loving memory of Ken, killed at Tobruk. May 4. My love for you will never die As the years roll on and the days go by. —Inserted by his mother.
As the war came to an end, Jim’s parents anticipated their younger sons being released at the conclusion of the war. Having farewelled fit, healthy sons, cruelly the family had not heard of the death of 24-year-old Jack on the 29th June ‘43 until two years later. The Advertiser on Wednesday 4 July 1945 shared that “Mr. and Mrs. J. Jarvis, of Rundle street Kent Town, have been advised that their son, CpL J. B. Jarvis. died in a prison camp in Siam. His brother Ken was killed at Tobruk. Another brother. Harry, is a prisoner of war in Japanese hands. A third brother, Jim, has returned from active service.”
Jim’s parents were also not notified of Harry’s death until 31st July ’45. This was announced in the August issue of the News. “KENT TOWN BROTHERS DIE IN WAR Mr. and Mrs. J. Jarvis. of Rundle street, Kent Town, have just been advised that their youngest son. Private Harry Jarvis, 24, died in a prison camp in Siam three years ago. Two other sons have also lost their lives in the war. Mrs. Jarvis said today that the message about Harry said he had died on August 29, 1942. Corporal Jack Jarvis, 25, died in the same prison camp earlier in 1942. His parents were not advised about his death until recently. The brothers enlisted in 1939, went overseas together, and were both captured in Java early in 1942. Another brother, Private Kenneth Jarvis. 27. was killed at Tobruk. Mr. and Mrs. Jarvis's only other son, Private James Jarvis, 29, was recently discharged from the Army. He was wounded at El Alamein. The three brothers who died were all single.”
At that stage the horrific, inhumane conditions under which the brothers and fellow members of their battalion had been subjected to as prisoners, were unknown.
Local communities attempted to wrap their arms around the families whose sons had paid such a high price for their service to Australia. The August ’45 issue of the News reported such an action. “On behalf of the Norwood subbranch of the R.S.L. a letter of sympathy would be sent to Mr. and Mrs. J. Jarvis. of Rundle street. Kent Town, who have lost three soldier sons in the war, said the secretary (Mr. A. C. Daunight) today. The soldiers were Pte. Harry Jarvis and Cpl. Jack Jarvis. both of whom died in a prison camp in Siam. and Pte. Kenneth Jarvis. who was killed at Tobruk. Another son. Pte. James Jarvis. was wounded at El Alamein and was recently discharged.”
The following month the extend of the care and compassion was again evident in a further development highlighted in the Advertiser. “Under the chairmanship of the Mayor of Kensington and Norwood (Mr. Wm. Essery), and with Mr. Nieass, MP, as secretary, a committee has been formed to give practical recognition to the sacrifice made in this war by the family of Mr. and Mrs. J. Jarvis, of Rundle street, Kent Town. This elderly couple had four sons, of whom three made the supreme sacrifice. The fourth was wounded. The committee is representative of the following organisations:— Norwood Council, Returned Soldiers' League, Fathers' Association. Pensioners' League, Scouts, Norwood School Parents' Association. Methodist Church, Women's Service Association, Baptist Church, Norwood Boys' Band, The Saints' Church, Norwood Municipal Band, Norwood Junior Band, Presbyterian Church: Other organisations will co-operate. The committee unanimously agreed to raise up to £500 to safeguard the interests of Mr. and Mrs. Jarvis. The honorary treasurer is Mr. J. Mulikan, Pensioners' League, Parade. Norwood.”
October saw further generosity extended to the Jarvis family. Made aware of the challenges facing the family “ONE of the poignant stories of the war is the loss of three sons of Mr. and Mrs. J. Jarvis, of Rundle street, Kent Town. Two were taken prisoner with Brigadier A. S. Blackburn, VC. by the Japanese, the other was killed in Tobruk. A fourth son survived wounds and is home again. Those dutiful sons had had in mind to save sufficient money while they were away to ensure that their parents had a little home of their own. Three of them died. Tonight the Mayor of Norwood (Mr. Essery) will speak over 5AD about Mr. and Mrs. Jarvis's sacrifice. A committee of representatives of about 20 organisations has been formed to raise £500 to add to a similar amount left by the boys toward a home for their parents.”
Country communities as far away as Clare and Peterborough in the mid-north answered the call for support, with a letter from the Mayor of Norwood being published in local newspapers. It read:
“Dear Friend, — Mr and Mrs J. Jarvis, of Rundle Street, Kent Town, lost three sons at the war. Two died in Japanese POW camps, and the other was killed at Tobruk. The fourth was severely wounded. Prior to the war they were a happy home-loving family. The boys had planned to buy another home for Mum and Dad: they having lost their little farm through adverse conditions. When the boys died they had saved £450 towards that home. Now they cannot complete their ideal, and so have left their unfinished labor of love to the people of S.A. They did not fail us. They gave their lives that we might live. We must not fail them for the sake of £500.
While Mr and Mrs Jarvis have the boys' capital they cannot secure any pension or allowance. If vested in a property, the pension are payable. To pay off £450 would be useless. as the interest and principal could not be paid out of a pension. Therefore, sufficient must be added to the boys' savings to purchase a home outright. Then these two pensioners can live on their allowances. That would make those lads happy if they could, know. A committee of representatives of 20 organisations has been formed, including the Kensington and Norwood Council, RSL, Fathers' Association. Pensioners' League. Women's Service Association, Churches. Bands. Scouts. School Committees, etc. The sacrifice of three sons, and another wounded, is unique for the State, and possibly Australia. Had those boys lived, a home would have been purchased for their parents. You feel that you must help to complete their job. because they died in making Australia safe for us.
Now that you have made up your mind to help, will you please send a donation to the Treasurer, Mr J. Millikan. 74 Parade, Norwood. Do it now! Then interest your friends in this unique South Australian case. Those lads will be unable to give their parents the usual Christmas present this year. It would be a nice gesture if the people of S.A. would provide the necessary money with which to complete the purchase of a little home for Mr and Mrs Jarvis in time for Christmas. Will you please help”
This campaign became known as the ‘Jarvis Recognition Fund’. By April ’46 a final meeting was held which showed that an exceptional £427 had been raised and that a home had been purchased at Fisher street, Norwood. Inevitably, complications arose in terms of the belief that the gratuity could be immediately obtained to assist in purchasing a home, however, the application was refused. Fortunately, Mr. Nieass, MP, made out a case for submission to the Prime Minister, who in view of the special circumstances, approved the gratuity being granted.
The grieving family, having already lost three sons during the war, in November ’46 faced a further family death. Jim’s youngest sister, Gladys, known as ‘Terry ’, died unexpectedly at her home.
The devastated family placed their announcement in the Advertiser Monday 14 November 1949, CARROLL. On November 11. at 16 King street, Norwood, Gladys (Terry), beloved youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jarvis, loving sister of Dais (Binnum). Dot (Murray Bridge), Ivy, Dan (Whyalla), Jim (Adelaide), also Ken, Jack, Harry (deceased). Aged 33 years.
Advertiser Tuesday 15 November 1949, CARROLL.—On November 11. at 16 King street, Norwood (suddenly) Gladys (Terry), dearly beloved wife of Herbert (Chris) and loving mother of John. Aged 33. Sleeping. (Privately interred.)

Jim married Betty Margaret, but finances continued to be tight, causing him to unsuccessfully attempt to access his own gratuity payments for medical accounts.
When the family finally heard of the fate of their two young POW brothers, each year was punctuated by memories of the brothers and sons who did not return. Their deaths also continued to be remembered by all the family and Jim.
Advertiser Saturday 7 July 1945, JARVIS-—SX6343. Cpl. J. V. (Johnny) died, prison camp, Siam, June 29. 1943. Deep in our hearts a memory is kept of one we love and will] never forget.— Deeply mourned by Dot and Dais. Murray Bridge. JARVIS. —A sincere tribute to the memory of Jack, 2/3rd M.G., who died of illness in Thailand, June 29. 1943. May we be worthy of the sacrifice he made.—Always remembered by Mr. and Mrs. H. Johns. Doreen. Ross (7th Div). Audrey, and pal Colin (P.O.W.)
Advertiser Saturday 29 June 1946, JARVIS.— In loving memory of dear Jack, died in Thailand. 1943. while P.O.W. in Japanese hands. No mum or dad was by your side to hear your last faint sigh or whisper a loving word before you closed your eyes, when last I saw your smiling face you looked so bright and well, Little did we think, dear Jack, it was our last farewell. —Inserted by his loving mother and father and brother Jim, ret.
Advertiser Saturday 28 June 1947, JARVIS.—In memory of dear son Jack, died June 2S. 1943 while PO.W. In Thailand: also Harry. died August 29. 1943. while P.O.W. In Thailand: and Ken killed at Tobruk. God saw that they were weary and they had done their best. He softly whispered to the boys, I'll take you home to rest. —Inserted by mother and father.
Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), Friday 29 June 1951, page 20 JARVIS.—In loving memory of Jack, who died In prison camp, Thailand.—Always in my memory, Jack, mum.
August also was a time to remember Harry.
Advertiser), Monday 6 August 1945, JARVIS.—In loving memory of Harry, died POW camp, Siam, August 29, 1943. Not a sound disturbs his slumber, Not a care to mark his brow; All his pains and cares are over. He is sweetly resting now. —Ever remembered by his mother, father, and brother Jim (A.I.F. ret.).
Advertiser Thursday 29 August 1946, JARVIS.—In loving memory of our darling son Harry, who died of illness while P.O.W. in Siam, August 29, 1943 Also Jack, died of illness, same camp, June 29, 1943. And Ken, killed in action, Tobruk. Three brothers re-united. Partings come, hearts are broken, Loved ones gone with words unspoken; We who loved them truly know How much we lost three years ago —Sadly missed by mum and dad.
Advertiser Wednesday 29 August 1951, JARVIS.— In loving memory of dear Harry, who died ln P.O.W. Camp. Thailand. August 29, 1943. Also Jack, who died ln same camp. Darling boys, how I miss you, there is none but God could tell. —Inserted by their mother.
Jim’s father, James Snr died unexpectedly at the family home in Norwood in April ’51. His mother placed a final tribute to Ken, Jack and Harry that year.
51-year-old Betty pre-deceased Jim and died on the 7th April ’82. She is buried in the Salisbury Memorial Park Cemetery. Aged 85, Jim died on the 16th June 1994. He is remembered in Centennial Park Cemetery, the RSL Wall 126, Niche D008.
Tribute researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes, SX8133 2/48th Battalion.