Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Walter was one of eight children born to David George and Clara Evelyn Baohm. He was their seventh child and fourth son, born on the 12th November, 1909 in nearby Laura. Known as Harold, he grew up in Beetaloo Valley, a farming area in the mid-north of South Australia and at the foot of the Flinders Ranges. His older siblings included Charles Edward, Henry Herbert, Ernest Alfred, Tryphena Victoria Clarice ‘Dolly’, Gladys Esther, Constance Evelyn ‘Connie’ and younger sister, Mavis Joyce. The children attended the local Laura Public School with Harold proving to be a competent scholar, obtaining full marks in Grade 4, a year when there was a total of 140 children in the entire school. This was at a time where communities and schools were very invested in raising funds for Patriotic Funds through organising concerts and Fairs. In that year (1918) Laura won the Y. M. C. A. Banner for collecting the most money in schools in their category. £14 15s 2d.
Being closer in age, when Mavis married John Lock of Napperby in April ’32 Walter (generally known as Harold) was best man. It was particularly therefore distressing for him when Mavis died in September ’34 aged just 22. Just two years later, also in September, Harold’s 72-year-old father died at home.
Post school Harold gained employment as a Mail Contractor and became part of the 9/23rd Light Horse Squadron. However, with the outbreak of WWII a huge drive was underway with country regions targeted to encourage fit, single young men to enlist. Over just 17 days, 28 young men applied at the Pirie Recruiting Depot, passing their initial preliminary medical examination before going to Wayville. The enlistees had come from Peterborough, Crystal Brook, Merriton, Bangor, Booleroo Centre, Yudnapinna Station, Port Augusta and Beetaloo Valley as well as Pirie locals. (Taking a deceased brother’s name, Cecil Hamilton Cawthorne ‘Jim’ was the other enlistee from Beetaloo Valley, being allocated the number SX5399 and placed in the sister battalion, the 2/43rd.)
Harold formally reported for duty on the 24th July ’40 and was allocated the number SX9574, being placed in the newly formed 2/48th Battalion reinforcements. His initial days were spent in the cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds while he attended several courses. Following pre-embarkation leave, Harold sailed overseas, being awarded the role of a training Sergeant until the ship arrived in the Middle East on the 14th May ’41 when he reverted to Private. Intensive training at the Amiriya Staging Camp followed.
By the end of October ’42 Harold was part of the Battle for El Alamein. Conditions at the time were ever-changing and the fighting continuous. Montgomery had ordered the 9th Battalion to attack northward in what was to be relentless fighting in a massive assault to ambitiously take the strategic position of Trig 29.
On the evening of the battle John Glenn in Tobruk to Tarakan described how ‘an occasional burst from a machine gun disturbed the night of 24th October. Nevertheless, it was a busy time for the tired men. Little or no sleep could be had. A hot meal sent forward after dark was quickly swallowed. There was no time for yarning. Defences had to be improved, more digging and wiring done, and patrols sent out.’ He later added that ‘the 2/48th had stirred up a real hornets’ 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 a cloud of dust and smoke.’. On that night alone 9 of the Battalion were killed and 20 wounded in action. Of these 16 were from South Australia and the remainder from Western Australia. Glenn explains they were ‘running into particularly stiff opposition to the west of the Trig point. It was only after hard fighting, with heavy casualties on both sides, that they were able to consolidate on their objective. Gradually the platoon, small in number to start with, was being whittled away and those remaining were being forced to go to ground.’ He added ‘At last light on the same front some three hundred enemy troops attacked, and D Company area was swept by small arms fire.’
Then ‘at zero hour 1 a.m. 31st October, the artillery opened up with a receding barrage – one that creeps back on itself. The attack was towards the guns themselves, the enemy being between troops and the guns…one gun was landing shells right amongst the men… As soon as the main road was reached the two leading companies came under murderous fire, and, from then until they reached the objective, 2,250 yards from the start line, the whole advance was fought in fierce hand to hand fighting.’ ‘Death would have reaped a rich harvest of gallant man. And of the 2/48th Battalion only forty-one weary troops would remain in the field.’ Harold survived but sustained a gunshot wound to his neck.
News of Harold’s injury spread quickly with the Laura Standard reporting in November that ‘Mrs. D. Baohm, of Beetaloo Valley received a cable from her son. Sgt. Harold Baohm, stating that he had been slightly wounded in Egypt, and is now recovering.’
Back home, the Chronicle in December ’42 listed those who were killed or wounded in the fighting. From the 2/48th battalion, these included 23-year-old SX12363 Pte. Harry B Irwin Port Augusta: SX6963 Pte Ron A. Jackson, Melrose: 26-year-old SX7506 Pte. Ernest N. Parkyn, Murray Bridge; 22-year-old SX2139 Pte. Harry Pearce, Watervale; and his brother 30-year-old SX7239 Pte. Phillip Pearce. Watervale: 21-year-old SX12157 Pte. Eric K. Stagbouer, Maitland: 29-year-old SX7987 Pte. Douglas Whyte. Joslin. Wounded In Action.- SX9574 Pte. Walter H. Baohm, Beetaloo Valley; SX6729 Pte. Thomas D. Colling. Broken Hill; SX7964 Cpl. Thomas. C Derrick, Berri; SX11938 Pte. Allan J. Dow, Glencoe East; SX7501 Pte. Ronald H. Gerlach, Angaston; SX7291 Pte. Arthur T. Grocke. Koongawa; SX7923 Sgt. Rowland F. Hayward, Nor wood; SX10383 Pte. Milton J. Miles, Foreston; SX8054 Pte. Michael W. J. Salter, Unley Park; SX11348 Pte. Walter J. Treagus. Kyancutta. These were the cream of Australia’s young men.
Harold continued to receive treatment for his neck wound before he was able to return to his battalion in early-November. Many rumours circulated about when the battalion would return home, with this finally eventuating in February ’43. Back home on leave in March, the locals were quick to welcome Harold home safely. The Areas Express reported on a double celebration both for Harold and the local Hall, that
‘Residents of Beetaloo and neighbouring towns turned out in large numbers on Saturday night last, when a social was tendered to Pte. Harold Baohm, A1F, who has served for two years in the Middle East and a year in New Guinea. There were 200 people present to do honour to the guest, who is spending leave with his mother. Mrs. Baohm at Beetaloo. Dancing was indulged in and the ladies provided an excellent supper. Delightful music was supplied gratis by the Andrew Sisters and Miss Margaret Curtin and Mr. Short (Snowtown). The takings were £15/7/ and were in aid of the Hall Fund. The function proved very successful and most enjoyable. From this result the Beetaloo Hall is free of debt for the first time since it was erected. While writing these notes it would not be out of place to mention that Beetaloo can boast of some excellent musicians, in the Misses Andrews and M. Curtin, all ' of whom travel many miles to supply music at social gatherings at Gladstone, Crystal Brook, Laura and other neighbouring places, and needless to say they do a jolly good job and are held in high esteem.’
Training in Queensland soon followed to prepare the troops for the humidity they would experience in New Guinea against a very different enemy. Whilst in Milne Bay Harold was briefly promoted to Lance Corporal before then returning to the rank of Private. He completed his service and saw the conclusion of the war in Tarakan before finally being discharged on the 11th October ’45.
While the war was in progress, children’s education limped along with many areas affected by male teachers enlisting. Country children were also at a disadvantage because of the small numbers in some regions and the poor conditions of roads to transport students to larger schools. The residents of Woods were able to reassure the Education Department that their numbers would be sustained, resulting finally, in the construction of a better new school. The Producer reported in November ’40 that a school was complete ‘of wood and iron, facing the gulf and with a good view of the surrounding district. Large windows both north and south provide ample light; new desks have-been installed; and so many cubic feet of air per scholar are allowed for.’ A Mis N.B. Wakelin was the new head teacher, her third year at the school. Almost immediately, Norma set the students work making functional good for the troops’ comfort. These included ‘From 60 skeins of wool, 9 pairs sox. 2" scarves, 2 sleeveless pullovers and 3 water bag covers.’ The student also collected non-ferrous metals and paper and made subscriptions to War Savings Certificates.
The year Harold arrived in the Middle East ’41, Norma was transferred from the Woods School to Coolanie on the West Coast, closer to her hometown of Cowell. On her departure, the parents and students of Woods presented her with a cut glass vase.
With the war over, Harold married teacher Norma Brenda Wakelin in May 1947. The Advertiser carried the joyous news. ‘WAKELIN—BAOHM.—The marriage of Norma, fourth daughter of Mrs. E. and the late Mr. Wakelin, of Myrtle Bank, to Harold, youngest son of Mrs. C. and the late Mr. Baohm, of Beetaloo, will be solemnised at St. Chad's Church, Fullarton on May 17, at 6.30 p.m.’
The News two days prior to the ceremony added more detail. ‘In a white gown with beaded sprays on the bodice, Miss Norma B. Wakelin, of Myrtle Bank, will marry Mr. W. Harold Baohm, formerly A.I.F., of Beetaloo Valley, on Saturday night in St. Chad's Church, Fullarton. Her embroidered veil will fall from a coronet of orange blossom. Miss Fay Wakelin, in a dusty pink frock, will be bridesmaid.’
Aged 83 Harold died on the 31st March ’93 and is now at rest in the Smithfield Memorial Park Niche Wall A E side, Row D Site 3 Norma died four years later and is alongside Harold in Site 4.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.