Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Born at Farrell’s Flat on the 6th August 1920 (the year given on his army records), to Andrew George and Selina Pearl Brown, Rex Halcom was their middle son. The older son was Clarence George, (born in April ’22) and the younger Donald. The boys grew up at Port Wakefield, a coastal town renown for transporting local farm produce and ore from nearby Burra as well as supporting a growing fishing community.
In an era where cars often had to be vigorously hand-cranked to start, Rex sustained a fractured wrist in July ’40 when his recalcitrant car backfired whist he was trying to get the engine to fire. Fortunately, this had recovered by the cricket season that year where he played for the local team, being a handy bowler with the creditable figure of 1/8 and a catch to his statistics.
With the outbreak of WWII, Clarence (Clarrie) was the first to enlist on the 20th July 1940, ostensibly just after his 20th birthday. (In reality he had added two years to his age and had just turned 18.) He was allocated to the newly formed 2/48th battalion. Six months later, also claiming to be 20-year-old, Rex enlisted on the 16th January ’41. He was similarly allocated to Clarry’s 2/48th Battalion where his given number was SX10970.
Home on pre-embarkation leave, a social was organised for Rex and Jack Barker, who had also enlisted with the Infantry. A large crowd attended the St Alban’s Hall in March, with speeches praising the young men’s sporting achievements. Singing and a variety of items followed. The local Producer reported that ‘On behalf of the Townspeople Mr H. V. Connell presented each of the lads with a wristlet watch, following which "For they are jolly good Fellows" was heartily sung.’ Supper and dancing followed.
By the start of April 1941, the 2/48th were in Tobruk where the dust, flies, heat, minimal water supplies and constant bombardment were quite a challenge to new enlistees. Rex and Clarrie were to become members of the famed Rats of Tobruk.
Rex learnt of Clarrie’s escape from death on the 24th July ’42 where his platoon went to ground in a vicious burst of shelling. However, the soldiers was ordered to advance on the German’s position whilst under a heavy shell and mortar attack. Clarrie became just one of four left, including close friend Wallace Davis (SX2008, brother of Harry ‘the Colt’) and his Lieutenant but without sign of any back up from the rest of the 2/48th. Orders to press on regardless were made and undertaken when the machine fire died down. With just a hundred yards separating the men from the enemy, Clarrie and the other three began a slow run but immediately Clarrie and Wally Davis SX2008 were both hit and fell. Their Lieutenant chose to go on alone but was fatally hit in the head. Fortunately, Clarrie and Wally survived until dark when the only uninjured man of the four, Bill Morgan SX7120, managed to get both Clarrie and Wally to safety.
Rex had become close, inseparable friends with Wally Davis’ younger brother, Harry ‘the Colt’ Davis SX8328 from Broken Hill and Ern Harmer SX11068 from Arthurton on the Yorke Peninsula. Before the year was out, Rex was killed in action on the 31st October, ’42, three months after his supposed 22nd birthday. 22-year-old Harry was also killed, but Ern survived.
In the lead up to the battle at El Alamein that October, John Glenn in Tobruk to Tarakan wrote “This was indeed it! To the men who listened, the significance of the recent hard training exercise and the adoption of new methods must have been firmly drive home.” He later added “We thought of ourselves as few enough then. But surely even the bravest among us would have shuddered if they could have known to what a weary handful we would be reduced by morning..”
Darren Paech in his book Adelaide to Alamein recalled Captain Mick Bryant having to combine A and C company as the combined strength had been reduced to just 45 men ‘to have any chance of continuing to move forward. At 3:00 am on that fateful day, Rex and Harry’s Company 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. As they crested a shallow rise the two companies’ advance was soon held up by a strong enemy machine-gun position firing from a flank. Sergeant Derrick shouted to get word for B Company to silence the nest.’ B Company’s Lieutenant gave orders ‘for a section of five men to form up and charge it whilst the enemy was busy firing across Derrick’s group. Leading the bayonet charge, Corporal Harry Davis was killed in the assault, as well as Private Rex Brown. They were both only 22 years old. Private Jack Evans was badly wounded. However, Allen’s small group prevailed. They managed to silence the post and capture 15 prisoners.’ The fixed bayonet charge in the face of very heavy fire, carried the section into the post, where they inflicted casualties and took fifteen prisoners.
Jack Evans SX11785 from Arno Bay was severely wounded and later died as a prisoner. The charge of the men, however, was considered a success and 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, including Ern Harmer.
In a poignant comment which typified the legend that was to accompany the 2/48th Battalion, Glenn summarised the day. ‘The men had fought with determination in hard and bitter hand-to-hand fighting, always endeavouring to go forward, and all the time taking a heavy toll of the enemy, only to reach the final objective with a strength so reduced as to make further progress impossible. A small band of forty-one men, some of whom were wounded, was all that remained. Truly it can be said of these men, “They fought themselves and their enemy to a standstill until flesh and blood could stand no more, then they went on fighting.” This was a measure of those in the 2/48th Battalion.
It was not until January the following year that the Advertiser reported ‘Mr. and Mrs. A. G. Brown, of Port Wakefield, have been notified that their second son Pte. Rex Halcomb Brown, 22, was killed in action in Egypt on October 31. A brother, Clarence, is also serving in the Middle East and was wounded at El Alamein in July.’ His actual age does not appear to have been corrected.
Rex was re-buried in the El Alamein War Cemetery in Egypt in March ’45 and now rests in Plot A2, Row B Grave 10. His parents chose the inscription ‘His duty nobly done, ever remembered’ for his headstone. Resting with him are 22-year-old SX10245 Captain William Reid and his friend 22-year-old SX8328 Corporal Harry ‘the Colt’ Davis from his 2/48th battalion. Nearby are other young men, many also 22 years of age, from the 2/17th 2/24th 2/28th 2/32nd and 2/43rd all of whom were killed in the same ferocious battle.
Back home Rex’s name is remembered on the Port Wakefield Roll of Honour. Ern Harmer survived the war and continued to remember both his friends on the anniversary of their deaths. He was killed on his farm in an horrific tractor accident in 1965.
Advertiser Thursday 7 January 1943, BROWN. —A tribute of honor and remembrance of a true pal, Pte. R. H. Brown, killed in action In Egypt on Oct. 31, 1942 He died as he lived. —Pte. E. T. K. Hammer (Abroad)
Advertiser Saturday 30 October 1943, BROWN. —A tribute to the memory of our beloved son Rex, killed in action at EI Alamein, Oct. 31, 1942. We miss him and mourn him in silence unseen, and live in the memory of days that have been. — Sadly missed by mum, dad and Don. BROWN. —In honor and remembrance of my dear brother Rex, killed in action, El Alamein, 31/10/42. Resting in a soldier's grave, his name honored with the brave. —Remembered always by Clarry (Bomber), A.I.F., N.G. BROWN. —In loving memory of Private Rex, killed In action at EI Alamein. October 31, 1942. In a soldier's grave honored with Australia's brave. Remembered by Aunty Sis and Uncle Jim. BROWN. —Loving memory of Rex killed in action. El Alamein. Oct. 31 1942. —Ever remembered Aunt Nell and Uncle Stan. BROWN. —In loving memory of Rex, killed in action at El Alamein. Oct. 31, 1942. His duty nobly done. He lies in a hero's grave beneath the burning sand of Egypt. —Remembered by grandma and grandpa Boxall. BROWN, Pte. R. H., Port Wakefield.— Killed in action in Egypt on Oct 31, 1942. A smiling face, a heart of gold, one of the best this world could hold. —Inserted by Aunty Mary, Uncle Steve and family. BROWN, DAVIS. —A tribute to the memory of my pals, Rex Brown and Harry Davis, who sacrificed their lives at El 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 Tuesday 31 October 1944, BROWN. —In fond and loving memory of our dear son and brother Rex. 2/48th Btn- killed In action at El Alamein, Oct. 31. Not a day do we forget you, In our hearts you are always near: we who loved you sadly miss you as it dawns another year.—Remembered always by Mum, Dad, Don and Clarry. BROWN. —In loving memory of Rex, killed in action El Alamein. Oct. 31. 1942. A smiling face, a heart of gold, one of the best the world could hold. Ever remembered by Mr. and Mrs. A. G. Lucas and family. BROWN. —In memory of Rex, killed in action Egypt. Oct. 31, 1942, dearest friend of Ron, Lydia, and Barry Sutton. His name hallowed in the land he loved. BROWN. —In loving memory of Rex, killed in Egypt on Oct. 31. 1942.—Ever remembered by Uncle Steve. Aunty Mary, Grandma and grandpa. BROWN. R. H.—DAVIS. H. Cpl- 2/48th Btn. In fond memory of my two pals, who gave their lives at El Alamein, Oct. 31, 1942.—Inserted by Pte. Ern Harmer. ex 2/48th (M.E. ret.) BROWN. —In remembrance of Rex, killed at El Alamein, Oct. 31. 1942.—Ever . remembered by grandpa, grandma, and Uncle Charlie Boxall
Advertiser Wednesday 31 October 1945, BROWN - Pte R.H. SX10970, 2/48 Batt. A tribute of love and honor to dear Rex who paid the supreme sacrifice at El Alamein. Oct. 31. 1942. Tranquil you lie your knightly virtue proved, your named is hallowed in the land you loved. Sadly missed and longed for always by mum and dad, Clarry (ex-2nd AXF.). and Don. BROWN In memory of Rex killed in action, Egypt. He had so much to live for but he gave his all—Remembered by Lyla, Ron, and Barry. BROWN A tribute in memory of my pal Rex, killed In action. Gone, but not forgotten by Ron Lucas (R-A-A-F.). 141318
Advertiser 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. BROWN. Pte R. H. 2/48th Batt. —In loving memory of our dear son and brother Rex, killed in action, El Alamein, Oct. 31. 1942. May God make us worthy of his great sacrifice. —Ever remembered by mum, dad, Clarry and Don.
Advertiser, Friday 31 October 1947, BROWN—in proud and loving memory of our dear son and brother Rex who paid the supreme sacrifice at El Alamein, October 31. 1942. Till memory fades and life departs You will live for ever In our hearts. —Remembered always by mum, dad, Clarry and Don.
Advertiser Saturday 30 October 1948, BROWN. R. H, 2/48th Batt. —to loving memory of Rex, killed in action El Alamein. October 31, 1942. He liveth forever in our hearts.— Remembered always by mum, dad and brothers Clarence and Don.
Advertiser Monday 31 October 1949, BROWN – R.H. In loving memory of our dear son and brother who paid the supreme sacrifice at El Alamein, 1942. For ever remembered by mum, dad, Clarry and Don.
Advertiser Tuesday 31 October 1950, BROWN.— In fond and loving memory of our dear son and brother Rex, who gave his life at El Alamein. 1942. — Ever remembered by mum. dad, Clarry and Don.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion