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War Memorial
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Honouring His Uncle, Matthew

Matthew’s father, Henry Arnold Dolan enlisted to serve in WWI just after his 29th birthday leaving his wife, Edith to look after their children, Arnold Raymond (Ray), Edith Veronica, Kathleen Mary, Lawrence Alwyn and John Maxwell. The family were fruit growers in the Riverland town of Renmark. While in France, Henry acquired ‘trench feet’ over the wintry conditions in January and February of 1917 then was shot in his right-hand during action, eventually returning home and being discharged on the 26th October, 1917.

His wife, Edith was understandably anxious to meet the troopship, and wrote to Melbourne for information as to travel from country Renmark to Adelaide needed to be planned ahead and was often reliant on train travel. She learned that by the time her letter had arrived, the troopship had already docked the previous day.

Henry’s brother, Murray also served at both Gallipoli and France with both surviving. However, two other brothers, William Percival and Matthew were both killed in action. William, a field ambulance driver died of extensive gunshot wounds on October 24, 1917. After ten long months of knowing that Matthew was missing, the family were finally told that he had been the first son to be killed, in the fighting at Bullecourt, France on April 11, 1917. His remains were never found. Matthew was the youngest in the family and in a heart wrenching letter his mother explained that he was only 18 years old and begged; “‘he only went in twice to fight, he was 18 years old and tawl (tall) and dark and was my baby boy. If you find anything of his kindly let me no (know)”.

Post his war service, Henry and Edith had another son on the 8th August, 1918. He was named Matthew Neil in honour of Henry’s young brother and uncle who never returned. Inevitably, Matthew’s nickname from very early years became ‘Digger’.

Matthew and his siblings all attended the local Renmark West School, enjoying picnics on Eight Hours Day at Disher’s Creek in October where both older brother Ray and Matthew (already commonly called Digger) were successful in the sporting events. Digger was also a competent student, featuring in the top achievers through Primary years, gaining his Qualifying Certificate plus a prize for Academic Distinction, a Woodwork Certificate plus a ‘handsome book’ at the final assembly in 1931.

Just prior to the escalation of hostilities and the outbreak of WWII, two siblings, Valda and her brother Deane Lambert holidayed at Renmark, staying with relatives. Valda was to become a significant influence on Digger in later years.

WWII intervened. With his brother Laurie being in the RAAF prior to the war and John in the Milita, Ray enlisted in July of 1940 to become SX8402 and a driver in the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. By November of the same year, he was overseas fighting in Tobruk, a deployment that lasted for eight and a half months. Matthew enlisted just after his 22nd birthday on the 17th August, 1940. He became SX 10181 also in the 2/48th Battalion.

By 1942, the local ‘Murray Pioneer and Australian River Record’ regularly included letters and information from the local ‘boys’ serving overseas.  The paper was a vital link for those overseas with soldiers regularly sharing copies and information discussed as with a riddle that was published in an April ’42 issue. The paper reported that “Drvr. M. N. Dolan, a brother of Ray's (better known as "Digger") has also dropped a line from Northern Australia, where he says life is rather monotonous, an occasional Jap air raid and a picture show each week being the only entertainment.

"Digger" also writes: "I noticed in 'The Pioneer’ dated March 6 that the old riddle about ‘Sisters and brothers have I none’ has cropped up again. Strange to say we were discussing the same problem here when I happened to notice the article in your paper, so I decided to drop you a line and let you know what our final decision was. We side with the solitary person who argued that he was looking at a photo of his son. Maybe we are wrong. Can you let us know in your next edition? I receive the paper regularly from my parents at Renmark."

The paper hypothesised that the soldiers would have already read in a subsequent edition that their conclusion on this age-old riddle was quite correct.

Digger added; "Jack Commane, Jim Braddock and I are the only Renmark lads left in the unit now. "Dad tells me that the fruit industry has had another successful season, and I was very glad to hear that. I also liked the way the labour problem was tackled down there." The Dolan brothers are the sons of Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Dolan, and two other brothers are in the fighting forces, Laurie ("Overseas) and Bernie (at present in S.A. and expecting to be transferred to an Eastern State shortly) both in the R.A.A.F.’

Each timer leave was awarded both Digger and his brother Ray headed home to Renmark a return that was duly shared in the newspapers. March of ’43 was the most exuberant welcome as the survivors of the Middle East contingent arrived home to crowded railway stations crammed with excited families. The local reporter emotionally reported that “The joy which came to human hearts as trains conveying the troops drew into the various stations could only be appreciated by those who witnessed the unforgettable scenes on the crowded platforms It recalled to the mind happenings of 12 months earlier when the first troops from overseas returned to Australia. Many of these heroes of Rommel's El Alamein debacle—their most recent triumph—had been away from home for three years, and were among the ‘Rats of Tobruk’. From the time some days earlier, that news leaked through that the men had arrived at ‘An Australian port,’ relatives had lived in an air of joyous expectancy, which broke loose aa the various men reached their home stations on three weeks' leave.” Some were to meet children they had never met, another who sustained an injury simply said, "I can't realize I am home; it doesn't seem possible, but it's good to be here."

So many had enlisted from Renmark, the trains had to attach extra coaches to the passenger train as over 500 people waited to see their loved ones return. This was eclipsed by a Welcome Home Social at the local Institute attended by over a thousand well-wishers. Mayor James referred to “a great victory in which Australians' had done their duty nobly. Many had also served in the siege of Tobruk and in other theatres of war” including “those who had fought In New Guinea a difficult campaign.”

RSL President Bennett highlighted that “a mere 35 years ago they were peace-loving lads in a peaceful country, but by virtue of their earnest training and their high ideals they were today fighting soldiers second to none in the world.” He reiterated that “nobody in Australia was more proud of them than members of the original AIF. Old soldiers had watched their exploits with the keenest interest. Many of them were sons of men who had served twenty-five years earlier.”

"It must be a matter of pride", said Mr. Bennett "that of the eleven Victoria Crosses awarded to Australians in this war three of these greatest awards have been made to members of one battalion."

Mrs. James (president of the Renmark Soldiers Social Committee) also presented a gift to each of the men present, including Digger and his brother, Ray.  

Digger was finally discharged on the 29th November 1945 to return to the more tranquil setting of his fruit property at Renmark. Four months later he and Valda Lambert became engaged in April, then married at St. Augustine's Church, Renmark, in November, a year after his return. Digger’s sister, Betty was one of the bridesmaids and Digger’s niece, Lynette Dolan the flower girl. Digger chose his brother, Bernie Dolan as his best man and Valda’s brother Dene as his groomsman. The newly-weds honeymooned travelling through Victoria before settling to live at Renmark. The young couple eventually had five children, Richard, Sue, Mark, Kym and Nicole. Richard, born in September ’47 was a little too adventurous as a two-year-old when he fell from a tractor onto a disc at the family fruit property, requiring 26 stitches to his face, but did recover.

Digger’s parents lived to see both Digger and Ray return from the War but Henry died in March of ‘53 and his mother, Edith August in 1970. Both are buried in Renmark. Aged 69, Valda died in June 1998. Digger later remarried Doris and he lived to be 81. He died on the 25th July 2000 and is buried with his parents.

In a strange modern twist, at his funeral Digger’s medals were fittingly on display but a fellow digger commented that one of the awarded medals, the Star was missing from the set. This was subsequently found and returned to Richard, but its travel from SA to WA where it was found, was a mystery!

Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133 2/48th Battalion.