WYLIE, Allan William
Service Number: | SX10514 |
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Enlisted: | 2 December 1940 |
Last Rank: | Private |
Last Unit: | 2nd/48th Infantry Battalion |
Born: | Millicent, South Australia, 17 February 1909 |
Home Town: | Hatherleigh, Wattle Range, South Australia |
Schooling: | Hatherleigh School, South Australia |
Occupation: | Farm labourer. |
Died: | Port Lincoln, Souith Australia , 29 May 1981, aged 72 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
Cemetery: |
Happy Valley Cemetery, Port Lincoln RSL Section, Garden of Remembrance |
Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
2 Dec 1940: | Involvement Private, SX10514 | |
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2 Dec 1940: | Enlisted Private, SX10514, 2nd/48th Infantry Battalion, Adelaide, SA | |
2 Dec 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, SX10514, 2nd/48th Infantry Battalion | |
11 Jul 1945: | Discharged | |
11 Jul 1945: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, SX10514, 2nd/48th Infantry Battalion |
‘Dun-wanderen.’
Born in the south-east town of Millicent on the 17th February, 1909 to Herbert William and Clara Maud Wylie, who was the daughter of the local Millicent carpenter. Allan was one of four children with siblings Colin Herbert, Audrey and Fay Mary. Their father, Herbert was a highly respected farmer in the Hatherleigh region, where his own father had worked the land which Herbert eventually took over. Besides farming he was renown as a talented Trap-shooter who won the starling State Championship. As did other landowners, Herbert also served on the (then) local Kennion Council. He married Clara, with the two having four children, Allan and Colin, Audrey and fay
Allan’s early years were spent at Hatherleigh, a farming region north of Millicent in the Limestone coast region. He attended the local school, which regularly ran community activities including Dances and Balls to raise funds for the school library. The students would also present a play, including one called ‘Bob Over The Wall’ in 1915 when Allan was six years old and played the role of a goblin. Allan also proved to be a capable athlete in the Arbor Day sports carnival as a ten-year-old when he won the rooster race (and was able to keep the rooster), the high jump and his team won the relay race. As a student in Grade VII in October ’31 Allan won first prize for his drawing skills in an inter-school competition between six schools in the Millicent area.
Overall, Allan was a talented sportsman playing cricket for Hatherleigh, in the Drainage Area Association Competition. As a 22-year-old in a match against Tantanoola he scored 123 runs with his wicket still in hand. This high scorning was a feature of Allan’s skills with the bat with him regularly scoring over 50 runs and being not out. By January ’33 Allan’s best score was 160 not out which broke the pre-existing record individual score of 149, which was previously made on the same wicket by B. Luscombe, playing for Rendelsham. Allan was also a capable opening bowler with one of his best figures being 7 for 16, including a hat trick against Furner in February ‘38.
Allan was a regular with the Millicent A Grade football team in which he and Jack Seebohm were strong defenders described as playing a ‘dashing game in defence’, but Allan also was a creative goal kicker for the Magpies, praised for doing ‘a lot of useful work in the forward lines’. (Jack was later to enlist at a similar time to Allan, with both being allocated to the 2/48th Battalion.) In expectation for a Premiership in 1931, the South Eastern Times published a poem, titled ‘Excelsior!’
“The drainage folk have come to light. And, with a well-planned scheme,
Have coached the local football lads, And formed a decent team.
The ship is sailing pretty well, McDonald at the helm,
And we are sure each team .we meet Our lads will overwhelm.
Our Mac has got, as his chief mate, One "Norman," "Byrne," or "Bruiser,"
And with two chaps like this to lead, How can we be a loser?
The fans are now all waiting (Here everybody gloats) upon the first appearance Of "Uncle Toby" Oates.
When Johnny Mowbray got the ball, And did a figure eight,
I heard, one day, a chap yell but, "If you're not long I'll wait"
Charlie Barnes plays pretty well, And we have nought to fear
When we have placed, between the sticks, A lad like Norman Skeer.
With Louis Spehr at centre-half And "Spud" placed on the wing,
And Thompson punting sixes through, 'We'll tackle anything.
With Martin running on the ball, And Jackie Watts as rover,
And Johncock in the forward lines, The' premiership is "over".
One chap put up a little pun And he said this quite drily
"He plays a heady little game, This wily Alan Wylie."
There's several others pull their weight, Dick Poole and Tommy Tothill;
And, if you fellows land the spoils, We'll crack the champagne bottle.
But any team, no matter who, Will have it's "ups and downs,"
And we have got percentage "ups", And also "Alan" Downs.
Now I will give you this advice— Cut out all petty quarrels,
And, sure as two and two is four, You'll land home with the "laurels".
That year, Millicent dominated the first final against Naracoorte, with Allan constantly clearing in defence and was described as ‘defending stoutly’ turning back numerous offenses and being too strong for the Naracoorte attackers. Unfortunately, despite his efforts the following week, Penola narrowly defeated Millicent in the Preliminary final, 13 goals 4 points to 11 goals 13 behinds.
Allan was 21 when his mother died in the Thyne Memorial Hospital at the end of August ’30. She had been unwell for several years and hospitalised for the previous four months. She was praised for her active involvement in the Hatherleigh Community which she constantly promoted and aimed to improve. Whilst the two sons, Allan and Colin were older, Audrey was just 12 and Fay 8 years old. The following weekend, Allan’s Millicent football team wore black arm bands as a mark of respect for Mrs Wylie's memory. Just two years later, Allan’s father, Hubert died in August ’32 of a heart attack. Both parents were buried in the Millicent Cemetery.
Irish born Georgina Florence (Jean) McNeally had resided at Hatherleigh for several years before then briefly moving to Port Pirie in ’32. The following year she and Allan married and subsequently had three girls, Barbara, Roselind Anne and Maureen Jean. In a cruel twist, Georgina contracted tuberculosis, causing her to receive palliative care in the Morris Hospital, formerly called the Northfield Consumptive Home, for two years from 1939. Patients, including children, were cared for in the three consumptive wards which held 86 patients. There was also a cancer ward for 26 patients. Whilst Allan, then a sergeant, was in the Middle East,
In September ‘35 Allan’s sister, Audrey, married Max Banyer in the Methodist Church at Millicent. Allan filled the role of his father, in escorting Audrey down the aisle, whilst their brother, Colin was best man. Following their honeymoon, the young couple returned to live at Hatherleigh.
Allan was already part of the Militia, serving with the 27th Battalion as S20205 for four months. At the time Georgina was already a patient in the Morris Hospital at Northfield. Aged 31, Allan, working as a farm labourer, enlisted on the 2nd December ’40. Despite being seriously ill, he initially named Georgina as his next of kin, but with her death in May ’41, he first nominated his younger sister, Fay Wylie, then later his sister-in-law, Margaret Elizabeth McNeilly, of the Magill Methodist Children’s Home as the children’s guardian and his next of kin. Margaret continued to be the guardian of the girls after her marriage to Frederick Hansford, a French polisher, on December 18th ’41.
Allan’s younger brother, 27-year-old Colin, an electric welder, enlisted in March ’41 as 39008 with the RAAF, becoming a leading Aircraftman. Frederick, Allan’s brother-in-law and guardian of the girls, enlisted in July ’42 as SX23381 in the Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.
At a similar time to Allan enlisting, Con Fitzgerald (SX10345), also from Hatherleigh signed up. Both were allocated to the 2/48th Battalion reinforcements. Their early days were spent in the Motor Pavilion of what is now the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds where their ‘beds’ were straw filled hessian on wooden pallets. The battalion then trained in the Adelaide Hills.
Home on pre-embarkation leave, Allan was one of four soldiers who were farewelled at Millicent where they were feted and wished a safe return from the war. They young men Lieut. Ian Gordon (VX51042), and Privates Will Gladwell (SX2331), L. R. Kent (SX13287), and Alan Wylie. The chairman of the Millicent District Council added that “They were setting out on a tough job, and no one doubted that they would see it through. Hitler had to be crushed and the guests, with thousands of other young Australians, would do their best to bring about his downfall.” A representative of the Returned Soldiers’ Association “conveyed the best wishes of the old A.I.F. to the volunteers for further service abroad. He said he wanted them to feel how proud the old "diggers" were of them, and to realise that in the Returned Soldiers' Association they had good friends who would look after their interests while they were away and see that they got fair deal on their return to Australia.” In further speeches “appreciation of the patriotism of the volunteers. No man could do more at the present critical time than volunteers for service with the A.I.F., and the guests were amongst those who were setting a wonderful example to the manhood of Australia.” In an unusual move, the Millicent council representing the ratepayers of the district, presented a leather pocket wallet each to Lieut. Gordon, and to Privates Gladwell and Kent. Paradoxically, there was no wallet for Private Wylie. Alan was undoubtedly a Millicent boy, but he had enlisted in Adelaide. The District Council had recorded a resolution that the wallets were to be presented only to "soldiers enlisting from the Millicent district, being residents of the district at the time of enlistment." It was difficult for the chairman to have to make such a distinction, but he hoped that the council would alter its decision, so that every man farewelled in the Millicent district would receive a wallet. More inclusively the Country Women’s Association, trench comforts fund presented all four soldiers with a parcel of comforts. Each of the young men responded.
Allan left on the ‘Ile de France’ at the start of April ’41 bearing the title of T/Sergeant for the duration of the voyage., disembarking in the Middle East in August that year and was immediately promoted to Acting Sergeant. Whilst he was on board, Georgina died on the 10th May ’41 at just 26 years of age. She was buried in the Mitcham General Cemetery, General section, E Plot 1292.
In the Middle East, the 2/48th Battalion was involved in intense conflicts where their reputation for being the most highly decorated but decimated battalion was earned. On learning of Georgina’s death, Allan was granted compassionate leave in October ‘41, returning to Australia on a liner which was carrying injured Australian soldiers and Italian prisoners. The voyage home was not without incident, as the liner left the Suez Canal just an hour before enemy planes began a five-hour attack which must have been anticipated as the liner had left hurriedly and at full speed. The liner was to have also brought captured German soldiers, but they had been derailed whilst being transported to the embarkation point. Once back in Adelaide several of the soldiers were interviewed and their comments appeared in the August edition of the Advertiser. They told of the conditions in Syria where Vichy snipers and machine-gunners were always a menace. Others confidently proclaimed that there was little likelihood of the Allied forces being forced out of Tobruk as the Australians did not know the meaning of the word defeat, and they were always ready and eager to mix it. Inevitably, the injured soldiers commented on the work of the Red Cross overseas and how much this was appreciated by the diggers. The returning soldiers, including Allan, were given breakfast at the Adelaide Railway Station. He then returned to Hatherleigh for very brief weekend leave, and to make arrangements for the care of his three daughters, before returning to Adelaide on the Monday.
Reverting to the rank of Private, Allan returned to the Middle East in November that same year. By August ’42 he was diagnosed with tumors on his nerve tissues, called Lumbar Fibrosis, for which he received treatment. Soon after his return to the 2/48th, Allan was wounded in action with a gunshot wound to his right shoulder blade and was again evacuated to hospital. At the time, his battalion had seized Trig 29, a key location in the Battle of El Alamein. John Glenn in Tobruk to Tarakan painted an image of those days. ‘The troops had never been more tired. Yet, notwithstanding the fact that they had not slept for three nights, all were grimly determined to put everything they had into the fight to hold what had been won. Their spirits were high. All-round teamwork, cooperation, and an eagerness to be dug in by dawn caused every man, irrespective of rank or his particular task, to throw his whole weight behind the battalion.’ Heavy fighting helped capture this feature, but the challenge was in ‘digging in’ to the rocky ground. Glenn added ‘The 2/48th had stirred up a real hornet’s 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 dust and smoke.’
In November ’42 The South Eastern Times carried the news of their local young men being wounded. ‘Reports of three Millicent soldiers of the AIF having been wounded in action have been received by the relatives. They are Private Allan Wylie and Private Con.(Cornelius) Fitzgerald (SX10345), both of Hatherleigh and Private Jack Seebohm (SX14283) of Millicent. They all enlisted from this district and have been on active service abroad for a comparatively long period.’ All three were from the 2/48th Battalion.
The Chronicle at a similar time painted a raw image of the extensive effects on the 2/48th Battalion. Killed in action were SX8468 Pte. Patrick H. Hoare, North Broken Hill (NSW); SX13570 Pte. Charles Holman, Broken Hill; SX7771 Pte. Henry O. Lohmann, Murray Bridge; SX6848 Cpt. Alfred F. Meyer. Renmark: SX3149 Col. Arthur H. Peters, Macclesfield; . SX11768 Pte. John R. Smith, Wardang Island; SX13535 Pte. Allan L. Thessinger, Jamestown. Died Of Wounds SX7917 Pte. Leslie A. King, Adelaide. Wounded In Action.— SX7830 Cpl. Kingsley G. Albrecht, Kingston-on-Murray: SX10571 Pte. William G. F. Barnett, Reedy Creek : SX8128 Pte.- Ivan G. Braidwood, Adelaide; SX8749 Pte. K. W. Dack, Med., Clare; SX7559 Pte, Maxwell. C. Fuss, Kimba; SX13602 Pte. George H. G. Gallagher. Paulco Station; SX12854 Pte. Sydney V. Goodes. Curramulka; SX8483 Pte. William T. Harris, Caltowie; SX10527 A-Cpl. Harold E. Hobbs, St. Peter; SX8497 Pte. Charles H. Lawrie, Naracoorte; SX7959 Pte. Edward Lehmann, Lameroo; SX7028 Pte. Murray V. McFarlane, Cobdogla; SX7721 A-Cpl. Hedley H. Pratt, Korunye; SX7244 Pte. Richard Ramsdale, Meadows; SX11154 Pte. R. F. Reed, Cummins; SX11152 Pte William Reed, Cummins; SX8366 S-Sgt. William W. Statton, Alberton; SX7933 Cpl. Walter H. Stewien, Verdun; SX8576 Pte Arnold R. Thomas, Campbelltown; SX11289 Pte. Keith W. Tilmouth, Cleve; SX7278 pte. Robert Tipper, Berri; SX13755 Pte. Eric M. Waye, Victor Harbor; SX7212 Pte. T. L. Woodall Exeter; SX10514 Pte. Allan. W. Wylie Sefton Park.
By February ’43 Allan’s Battalion left the Middle East, returning to Australia via Melbourne and well-earned leave when he was able to return home. In March ’43, the Millicent ‘old diggers’ entertained the new breed of soldiers who had been serving in WWII, with a toast in their honour. In all fifteen, including Allan were praised as being “jolly good fellows, and expressed the hope that the war would be brought to a speedy and successful termination. Reference was made to the similarity of aims and ideals for which the two Australian expeditionary forces had fought and bled, and to the need for greater watchfulness over the terms of peace that would follow the present world conflict. It was declared that when the Allies had achieved victory on the "battlefield, their soldiers as civilians, would have much to do to make the victory worthwhile.” All the returned men spoke, giving their perspective of their war experience.
Training in Queensland followed with the battalion preparing to face a very different enemy in the tropical conditions of New Guinea. Whilst in Queensland, Allan’s Lumbar Fibrosis flared again, causing further hospitalisation. In a quirky fundraiser at Hatherleigh in August ‘43, a hugely successful dance was held in aid of the fighting forces comforts fund. It attracted people from Millicent, Glencoe, Rendelsham and Sebastopol with competitions to guess the length of a piece of string (5ft 11 inches) and also for a knife, donated by Private Allan Wylie.
He then sailed to New Guinea, arriving in Milne Bay but soon contracted a high fever (Pyrexia of Unknown Origin P.U.O.). By April ’44 Allan received his first fine for non-appearance at parade. Soon after, he was diagnosed with Malaria, followed by degenerative arthritis in his lower spine causing him to be hospitalised in Queensland and the following year in July ’45 he was being treated for the same health issue back home in South Australia before being discharged.
With peace finally declared, Allan married Mona Williamena (Bobbie) Williams, a widow, at St Cuthbert’s church on April 10th ’48. He received a War Service block at Wanilla on the Eyre Peninsula near Port Lincoln and a part of the soldier settlement scheme. By ’52 the RSL was established in the area, with one of the settler’s army huts becoming a meeting place, inevitably caller ‘The Hut’. Allan and Bobbie became stalwarts of the RSL whilst they also worked hard to establish their farm, aptly named ‘Dun-wanderen’. A highlight was attending their only son John’s wedding to Meredith Edwards in April, 57, closely followed by Rosilind’s marriage to Neil Harrowfield of Port Neil in November, Maureen’s engagement to a Wanilla local Ronald Gerschwitz in September ’57 and Barbara’s engagement to Donald Francis of Wanilla in May ’58.
Tragedy struck their son and his family when fire decimated their home, burning it to the ground in August ’75. Despite the efforts of their neighbour, the house roof collapsed, destroying all contents. Fortunately, the family were in Adelaide, with the sons having walked over to their grandparents’ home. The community immediately reacted with support, ranging from food to clothing whist the family lived in a caravan parked in a shed. Two years later, Allan and Bobby faced a similar ordeal when were fortunate that their property was relatively unscathed by fire which broke out on New Year’s Eve of ’77 caused by a lightning strike. Many locals immediately assisted and were helped by the following thunderstorm which put out the fire. Just a few fence posts were burned. Grateful thanks to all the generous helpers were placed in the local Port Lincoln Times in January.
Allan and Bobbie celebrated their 30th Pearl Wedding Anniversary in April, 78 and the following year Allan received a surprise celebration for his 70th birthday, courtesy of Bobbie and the children, John, Meredith, Barbara and Rosalind.
72-year-old Allan died in Port Lincoln on the 29th May, 1981. The Port Lincoln Times carried extensive tributes to him. “WYLIE, Allan William (ex 2nd 48th Battalion) — Late of Wanilla, on May 29 at hospital, dearly loved husband of Bob, loving father of Barbara, Roselind, John and Maureen. Aged 72 years. Finished working. WYLIE, Allan William (ex 2nd 48th Battalion) — Late of Wanilla on May 29 at hospital, loved father of Barbara, father-in-law of Don and grandfather of Greg, Anita, Marlene and Claire. RIP. WYLIE, Allan William (ex 2nd 48th Battalion) — Late of Wanilla on May 29 at hospital, loved father of Roselind, father-in-law of Neill, grandfather of Robyn, Graham, Ian and Ann. Now sleeping peacefully. WYLIE, Allan William (ex 2nd 48th Battalion) — Late of Wanilla on May 29 at hospital, loved father of John, father-in-law of Meredith, grandfather of Robert, Wendy, and Trevor, Steven and Roxanne, and Yvette and great grandfather of Kisha. A job well done. WYLIE, Allan William (ex 2nd/48th Battalion) — Late of Wanilla on May 29 at hospital, loved father of Maureen, father-in-law of Ron, grandfather of Ashley and Sue, Thomas and Philip, great grandfather of David At rest.”
An extensive summary of his life and service was also published in June.
‘Wanilla Pioneer dies aged 72 Alan William Wylie, a pioneer of the Wanilla district, died at Port Lincoln Hospital on May 29 aged 72. Alan Wylie was born at Millicent. and attended Hatherleigh school. He went farming until he joined the army in December 1904 after Australia's entry into World. War 2. He completed his basic training at Woodside, becoming a member of 2/48th Battalion. He did two tours of duty to the Middle East and was wounded at El Alamein and carried shrapnel from this injury for the rest of his life. He later served in the Islands campaigns against the Japanese. After his discharge in 1945, Alan applied for a War Service Block and was allocated one at Wanilla. He had to attend a school for farming before taking up his sandy, partly cleared property. The property was soon home and something of this was expressed in the name he gave it— Dun-wanderen. Alan was a foundation member of Wanilla RSL and played cricket with Wanilla Wanderers Club. He enjoyed watching football and was a keen supporter of Marble Range. In 1963, he bought more land in Wangary district with an aboriginal name, Minni-ribbi, meaning plenty of water. He will be remembered for his sense of humour and as a good neighbour. He was buried in Port Lincoln Garden of Remembrance where the RSL formed a guard of honour and conducted a short service. The funeral service was conducted by the Revd. Ion Gaskill.’
Bobbie lived a further decade, until 1999 when she was 89 years old. She now rests with Allan. The Port Lincoln Times carried tributes to her memory.
WYLIE, Bob - Dear stepmother of Barbara and son-in-law Don. Grandma to Greg, Dianne, Anita, Hayley, Sarah, Marlene, Darryl, Claire, Jay Jay, David, Breanna. WYLIE, Mona Williamena - Passed away peacefully Feb 15. Stepmother of Roselind and Neill. Grandma of Robyn, Kim, Graham, Deirdre, Ian, Margaret, Ann and Mark, 10 great grandchildren. Loved and always remembered. WYLIE, Mona Williamena (Bob) Passed away at home Maryborough, Queensland on February 15,1999. Aged 88 years Beloved wife of Allan Loved mother of John and Venita; step-mother of Rosalind and Neil; Barbara and Don; and their families. You are my best friend, companion and fellow traveller. Without you the many trips we had away together would not have had so much meaning and not been so enjoyable. This journey, I cannot accompany you, but Mum, know that wherever you go, my love goes with you. I will always have memories of a great lady who never complained, even at the end. Thank you for being the wonderful mother you were, and always will remain. John It was my honour and privilege to nurse Mum during the last days of her life. The light of her strength and character shone brightly. You gave me courage when I was down Mum, and a great compliment when you came to me for my love and care. We had a special relationship, both mother and daughter, and because of our early years a bond that few could understand. Thank you for taking me into your life and for coming into mine. Bless you Mum and take with you my gratitude for the honour of your love and friendship. May sweet angels sing you to your rest. Venita.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.
Submitted 16 September 2023 by Kaye Lee