Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Ernest Theodore Kelvin Harmer 

Ernest was born in Maitland on the 10th July 1910 with his home town being Arthurton, an area of rich farming soil, but also close to the good fishing areas on the Yorke Peninsula. Historically it is famous for the invention of the true ‘Aussie’ invention of the stump-jump plough by the Smith brothers that revolutionised the clearing of land for farming.

As a youngster, Ern wrote to the Chronicle which offered an Aunt Dorothy’s Letter page specifically for children. It encouraged donations for others less fortunate who lived at Minda. Ern wrote in February of 1924; “Petersville. Dear Aunt Dorothy — I have much pleasure in sending my card back with the sum of £1. Father's crop yielded very poorly. We have finished harvest now. I saw my last letter in print. Will you please send me a badge My age is 13 years and 7 months. I drive to school with a quiet horse called Nigger. I must close now with love to you and Uncle George and the little ones at Minda. — I remain, your loving: nephew, ERNEST HARMER. You have, given me great pleasure, my dear Ernest, by. sending in your card with is a good a subscription for Minda and I thank you heartily for all you did to make it such a success. I will ask the secretary for Minda to send you a badge. I am sorry to know that the harvest was a poor one, it is horribly disappointing, after all the time and money and thought that have been spent on it. I think you are lucky to have a horse that will carry you safely to school. I hope you look well after him during school hours.”

Post school Ern became a farm labourer but with the outbreak of hostilities, aged 30 he enlisted at Wallaroo on the 22nd January 1941, becoming Private SX11068. Initially he listed his father, James as his next of kin. He officially joined the newly formed 2/48 B Company in September of 1941 while in the Middle East. Primitive conditions there contributed to his ill health, including suffering a septic throat, pharyngitis, respiratory tract infection and kidney infection. These, however, did not stop his involvement in the Siege.

In a letter written from Palestine in November 1941 to his cousin Mavis Vandefeer at Ardrossan, Ern gives a glimpse of the importance of communication from ‘home’ even though these letters arrived up to three months later with some arriving in a flood of 32 in a fortnight. Ernest almost glossed over the events at Tobruk as if they were an adventure – but history accurately records the horrific conditions and experiences while photographs record the sights. For Ernest, the previous month was to remain with him. For those who served, however, letters were an important aspect of trying to focus on what was ‘normal’ back home and attempting to protect family from the reality of the trenches and the fragility of life. For Ern this information about ‘ordinary’ life and the success of a filly at the trots, plus Mavis’ promise to have an open house on Ern’s return was essential, as was having a photo of family with him and which could be proudly shown to ‘the boys’. In a poignant comment he wrote “Mavis when I left home, I made four resolutions. They were play the game and write home regularly (I have written to Mum and Roslyn every five days since leaving Sydney) give up drink, give up smoking, and have nothing to do with any women. I can assure you I have had a very hard time keeping all my promises, but am glad to say I have fulfilled my words, if ever I get picked off you rest assured, I go with a clear conscience and no regrets.” These may sound like glib promises but when put in context, alcohol and cigarettes were the mainstay of troops relaxation.

A ‘typical’ Aussie recount of the hand of luck or bluff, is of Ernest quietly heading to the toilet one night. Coincidentally, two Germans looking for their lines passed close by him and he was able to come up behind them intimating he had a rifle and ordering them to surrender. After disarming both (and therefore arming himself) he marched both Officers back to his position. He ostensibly, was allowed to keep their pistols. Later, despite a number of official searches of the troops’ belongings, no ‘souvenired’ weapons were found as it appears the bush telegraph worked well, warning of searches and enabling souvenirs to be well hidden elsewhere. However, the luger somehow made it back to South Australia and was a highly admired memento of the chance encounter!

The contrast, again between the written word and reality is evident in Ern’s letter where he wrote; “We are with our own unit the 48 now and are back in Palestine again. I have had four months at Tobruk, and have had quite a few thrills in various ways, quite enough for me to remember Libya and Tobruk for some time to come. Here we are living in perfect peace and rest, but not for long, we hope to be on our way again soon.”

And he did remember Libya and Tobruk. Ern, Harry Davis and Rex Brown all close compatriots, were involved in an offensive at 3:00am on the 31st October, 1942. They came up against a strong German post in what came to be called the Battle of El Alamein. A fixed bayonet order was given to charge under heavy counter fire. This took the life of Harry and Rex, both Privates and caused Jack Evans to be severely wounded and later die as a prisoner. Ern survived that charge which was considered a success as it resulted in the taking of 15 prisoners. The 292 strong battalion lost a total of 199 officers and men, killed or wounded in that night’s attack; only 99 survived, Ern amongst the ‘lucky’ number. Ern continued to remember his friends on the anniversary of their deaths:

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA: 1931 - 1954), Saturday 30 October 1943, BROWN. DAVIS. —A tribute to the memory of my pals. Rex Brown and Harry Davis, who sacrificed their lives at EI Alamein on Oct. 31. 1942. To be with me in the same old way would be my dearest wish today Pte. Ern Harmer (ret.) 

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA: 1931 - 1954), Thursday 31 October 1946, BROWN, DAVIS.—A tribute in the memory of my pals. Rex and Harry ("Colt"), who gave their lives at El Alamein. October 31. 1942.—Ever remembered by Ern Harmer. 

Amidst the death and privations, there was also time for quiet reflection. Ern enjoyed a few days exploring and photographing Tel Aviv, plus a tour of Palestine as well as the historic churches at Jerusalem. He wrote “On Sunday last we held our Battalion Church Service and in an open piece of ground, it was so realistic listening to the Padre speaking of Jesus and the Shepherds, and at the same time watching the shepherds minding their flocks only a few chains away, there is something very reverent in and about this Holy Land that makes one feel as if one is stepping on some sacred thing. Don’t think I am getting all religious, but to be amongst Jews and in a land where Jesus actually lived (according to the bible) is somehow different to other foreign countries which I have been lucky enough to visit.” 

During a brief return to SA after two years involved in the conflict in the Middle East in May, 1943, Ern was able to visit his fiancée, a teacher with the education department, Roslyn Hewett and her parents. By October 30th Ern and Roslyn were married at Maughan Methodist church, Adelaide. Ern’s niece, Shylie Harmer was flower girl while Ern was attended by Pte. Frank Stevens (AIF returned) and his brother Hedley Harmer. The newly-weds had their reception at the Covent Gardens. Ern was also granted seasonal leave to assist on the farm in 1944 which gave some respite but ill health continued with back problems adding to his discomfort. Eventually Ern’s move to restricted duties in September of 1943, just prior to his wedding. He continued to experience ill health after his marriage, eventually being discharged on the 27th January 1945.

He and Roslyn adopted two children Mark and Sharon with the family settling post war, at the soldier settlement on the newly opened areas of Parndana on Kangaroo Island lots 56 and 57.

Weddings continued to be a focal point with Roslyn being an attendant for her sister Patricia in 1948 and Ern being an usher.    

In a tragic accident, Ern was killed when his tractor overturned on Kangaroo Island on the 3rd June 1965. He was just 54 years old. Roslyn lived for another 31 years until 4 September 1996. Both she and Ern are buried in the Kingscote Cemetery.

Ern’s service is commemorated on the Arthurton Memorial Oval Gates. 

Researched and written by Kaye Lee and Errol Ford.