Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

William (Bill) was born in Cleve, an agricultural town on Eyre Peninsula on the 14th March 1914. He was living and working as a plumber and tinsmith in the Darke’s Peak area at the outbreak of WWII where a huge recruitment drive was underway in country regions to encourage fit, single young men to enlist. 26-year-old Bill heeded the call, travelling to Cleve on the 24th December ’40 and was accepted on the 11th January, ’41. He initially nominated his mother, Mrs G. Bishop as his next of kin, but during the war, following her death, he nominated his sister, Alice May.
Bill was allocated the number SX10909 and became part of the 2/48th Battalion reinforcements. Following pre-embarkation leave, he then headed to the Middle East on the Ile de France, arriving on the 14th May ‘41. Almost immediately, Bill was facing action and was to become one of the highly respected 2/48th Rats of Tobruk.
In Darren Paech’s book, Adelaide to Alamein, is a description of orders being given to the soldiers to remove the badge of dead German soldiers and return these to the intelligence sector, thus enabling the identification of the deceased soldier’s unit. In May ’41 Bill, Private Dean Adams SX6837 and two others were undertaking this role when Bill ‘tripped off a German S-mine as they approached the dead enemy. The S-mine, also known as the ‘Bouncing Betty’, contained a small charge that fired it into the air to a height of approximately 3 feet, where it then detonated, spraying shrapnel around at waist height. Dean was about 10 yards away from the mine when it went off and was hit with shrapnel in the back and was temporarily deafened by the blast. The only thing that saved them all from being killed was the fact that they had been crawling when the mine was detonated and most of the shrapnel from the blast went over their heads. Dean was dragged back into the perimeter under an enemy mortar bombardment. He recovered from his wounds and was returned to duty several weeks later. Private Bill Southern’s hand was also badly injured, and he too was evacuated.’
John Glenn in Tobruk to Tarakan also described the heavy shelling the Battalion had faced in September ’41 before then counteracted with the mortars moving forward ‘and conducting a very successful shoot. Three direct hits were observed on enemy mortar positions.’ However, shelling continued to harass the men, and during the next five days, SX7215 John Woodall, Bill, SX10570 Herb Ashby, SX6766 Herb Dawson and SX8268 William McKay were wounded. Bill and the men were evacuated to hospital. Bill had sustained an anti-personnel wound to his hand but was eventually able to rejoin the 2/48th in November.
By February ’43 Bill left the Middle East to return to Australia via Melbourne, then home to enjoy well-earned leave. At Darke’s Peak, a huge crowd gathered to welcome home seven returned soldiers, including Bill. The Eyre’s Peninsula Tribune reported that ‘A dance, sponsored by the employees of the S.A. Railway in aid of the Legacy Club, had been arranged for that night, so the Cheer-up girls worked in a "welcome home" in conjunction with it. Dancing was Indulged in until about 11 p.m.’ At that stage, the honoured guests, parents and friends were led through a guard of honour, formed by members of the home guard, Cheer-up girls, and old returned soldiers, to seats arranged for them in front of the stage. Patriotic singing of the National Anthem and Song of Australia preceded a heartfelt warm welcome. Each of the soldiers were then presented with an envelope of money, with all responding, mentioning how much the parcels sent by the F.F.C.F., and others were appreciated.
Bill then headed to Queensland for training. This location was chosen to prepare the men for fighting in the tropical conditions they would encounter in New Guinea and against a very different enemy. Bill landed at Milne Bay in August ’43. By the 19th November ’43 he was again wounded in action but remained with his battalion.
Murray Farquhar in Derrick VC and more recently Mark Johnston in Derrick VC In His Own Words both mention the fighting at Fougasse Corner, Satleberg Road, New Guinea. It was an area thickly covered with bamboo and difficult to traverse. This was where Bill received his next wounds. Derrick’s note of 20th November describes a major tragedy. ‘Fighting was hard and bitter with casualties mounting up – Sgt Snow Radford being killed while doing a glorious lone assault on Jap bunker positions. The end of a dashing, courageous and fearless soldier, easily the battalion’s best. This may be gathered from the ceremony which took place at his burial the next day. 50 per cent of his company attended to pay their last tribute to a great man.’ Mark Johnson also mentioned the effect of Japanese snipers hidden in the trees. The War Diary reports the 2/48th lost two killed and 15 wounded on this day, compared to 100 Japanese casualties.’ The wounded included Bill.
Back home the Advertiser recorded those killed and wounded in action. From Bill’s 2/48th Battalion these included Killed in Action SX7410 Sgt. Robert F. G. Ranford. M.D. Davington. Wounded In Action SX31615 Pte. Ernest H. Brett, Largs Bay. SX6723 Cpl. Archibald E. Heron, Croydon Park SX4814 Pte. Archibald R. Kelly, Adelaide. Wounded In Action. Remaining On Duty SX10909 Pte. William Southern, Prospect.
Bill experienced several incidents of ill health from the start of ‘44, including an extremely high temperature (PUO Pyrexia of Unknown Origin) and Dengue Fever. Both were treated by field ambulance. As a member of the 15th Platoon, C Company, Bill and several of his fellow soldiers were photographed on Walingai Beach in January ’44 having an unusually civilised cup of tea. On brief leave in March, he returned to Darke Peak to spend time with friends. His war service had contributed to ongoing leg pain. Then in September that year Bill was again hospitalised with a previous injury to his left upper jaw Maxilla. With his overall health being poor, Bill was again hospitalised in Queensland. Malaria reappeared in March and a barely acknowledged mild anxiety state, which were the final contributing factors to him finally being discharged on the 27th March ’45 as medically unfit for service ‘Constitutional Insufficiency’. He returned home to South Australia.
Bill then married Joan and the two welcomed five children, Sue Colin, Malcolm, Dawn and Joan.
Bill was also one for a laugh, including helping to help raise funds for the near-by Mangalo Recreational Grounds. In September ’50 he ‘frocked up’ for a Topsy Turvey Ball. Many of the local young men dressed in their most charming gowns to meet the girls looking handsome in suits and colourful ties. The local paper reported that ‘Frocking was the main feature of the evening whilst black was worn by many (for its slimming effect no doubt). Blue was also popular.’ Bill Southern wore a charming frock of blue trimmed with pink lace.
Aged 57, Bill died on the 3rd March, ’69 and was buried in the Darke Peake Cemetery.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.