Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Clarence George (Clarrie) was the first child and oldest of three sons, born in the mid-north town of Peterborough on the 27th April 1922, to Andrew George and Selina Pearl Brown His two younger brothers were Rex Halcom and 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 supported a growing fishing community.
Clarrie proved to be a developing strong swimmer, winning the ’36 55 yards Learner’s Race in the Under 16 Category at the local pool. His winning time was 35 2.5 seconds. This was a particularly useful skill when post school, Clarrie became a fisherman.
Four years later, with the outbreak of WWII, wanting to do his duty to his country, Clarrie was the first to enlist on the 20th July 1940, ostensibly just after his 20th birthday. He had, however, added two years to his age and had just turned 18. The local Producer newspaper proudly announced his enlistment that month. He was allocated to the newly formed 2/48th battalion. Six months later, also claiming to be 20-year-old, younger brother Rex enlisted on the 16th January ’41. He was similarly allocated to Clarry’s 2/48th Battalion where his number was SX10970.
Clarrie’s initial days were spent in the cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds before heading to Woodside for preliminary training. Following pre-embarkation leave, the 2/48ththe Battalion contingent then embarked on the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 7th November 1940, arriving on the 17th December 1940 where his Battalion completing a few months training in Cyrenaica. Clarrie took an unofficial ‘tourist break’ attracted disciplinary measure in February but was soon on his way to serve in Tobruk, Syria and Egypt. They were to become the famed Rats of Tobruk.
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. This was where Clarrie contracted a debilitating bout of M.E. Belly, causing a brief time of hospitalisation.
Clarrie then had some time attached to the Australian Corps Ski School at the end of ’41 and January ‘42, quite a different challenge to his civilian life on the coast of South Australia. He had returned to the 2/48th by February ’42 but several missed Parades proved to be financially challenging and his freedom restricted.
In the fierce fighting that ensued in July ’42 John Glenn in his book Tobruk to Tarakan succinctly describes the conditions under which the 2/48th fought. Fellow soldier Wallace Davis (SX2008) brother of Harry ‘the Colt’ told of the events from the morning of 24th July ’42. ‘My Platoon went to ground in a vicious burst of shelling, and Lieutenant Lance Heffron crawled across to us and gave orders to move forward. As we closed in on the German position their machine guns cut hell out of us, and the ground heaved as shells and mortars exploded around. Ahead, about a dozen Jerries were running down the ridge towards us. Everyone seemed to open up at once, and they were cut to pieces.’
‘There were only three left in my section, and Lieutenant Heffron was still with us. We were about a hundred yards from the enemy when we went to ground for the last time and were out of touch with any of the 2/48th Battalion troops. Despite this Lieutenant Heffron decided we should go ahead and take the hill and hope that others would get there to support us. We were told to press on and under no circumstances were we to stop. If any of the four were hit, we were to give whatever supporting fire we could give to the remainder.
The artillery and mortars were still belting hell out of us, but as soon as the machine gun fire died down a little Lance Heffron gave the word. We got to our feet and started a slow run towards the enemy. Clarrie Brown was hit and fell, then I copped one. Lieutenant Heffron and Bill Morgan went to ground besides us.’ Lance calmly chose to go on alone but was hit in the head. ‘Thus died a splendid soldier. There was nothing we could do but lie out there under the very muzzles of the enemy guns and hope we could live through the night and then crawl out. I called to Clarrie Brown and was relieved to hear that he thought we would see the day out. Bill Morgan, who had come though without a scratch, reckoned that with a bit of luck he could get us both out that night.’
‘When it got dark, Bill and Clarrie crawled over to me and Bill gave me a drink, the last we had before he started back with Clarrie, to return with others for me.’ Clarrie was fortunate to survive as he had sustained gunshot wounds to his back and right buttock. Bill’s action in getting him to medical assistance was pivotal.
Unbeknown to the two at that stage, whilst they had been wounded and survived together, their brothers’ friendship (Harry ‘the Colt’ and Rex), was also to be inextricably joined in a forthcoming battle. These two, plus Ern Harmer SX11068 from Arthurton on the Yorke Peninsula were a close knit group. Before the year was out, Rex had been killed in action three months after his ‘enlistment given’ 22nd birthday on the 31st October, ’42. 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.
The news was announced in January the next year with 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.’
Unfortunately, Clarrie’s injury at the base of his spine continued to be debilitating. He was finally able to return to his unit at the end of November ’42, returning to Australia via Melbourne in February ’43. He had survived the Middle East, returning to train in Queensland for a very different war in New Guinea, in different conditions and against a different foe. This hardened veteran ‘neglected to obey’ a published instruction, for which he was admonished in September ’43. His fighting ability was re-assessed as his earlier gunshot wounds to his chest and another to his buttock pre-empted his discharge in August ’44.
Clarrie returned to Port Wakefield where he renewed his friendship with Harold Gregory (who had enlisted in May ’41 as SN S37498). In August ’46 the two were riding a motor bike when they were struck by a motor car on the Port Wakefield – Bowmans Road. Both were severely injured in the accident and were hospitalised for some time. Clarrie continued to remain in hospital into September.
In his typically stoic manner the following year, when the designated football umpire arrived late for a Port Wakefield vs South Hummock match, Clarrie stepped up into the role. The local Producer claiming he had ‘done a good job for part of the first quarter’.
In 1950, Clarrie received the medals he had earned. These were the 1939/45 Star, African Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal. Just six years later aged 34, Clarrie died on the 24th May ’56. He was buried in the Port Wakefield Cemetery, where his service is still remembered.
Within a decade, his 66-year-old father had died on the 4th July ’64 and his 69 year old mother on the 11th September ’66. All now rest with Clarrie in the same cemetery.
Each year, Clarrie continued to remember his brother.
Advertiser Saturday 30 October 1943, 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.
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.
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.
Advertiser Thursday 31 October 1946, 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