Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Born in the bustling seaport area of Fremantle, Western Australia on the 2nd March 1904, Alfred was the son of John Arthur and Jane Hendry Tait. (His father had been briefly married to Eliza Grace for about a year until her sudden death, aged 22 in the Adelaide Hospital in March 1894 leaving a baby daughter Eliza May.) John and Jane soon married in Goodwood in April 1899, adding to the family with Isabel Jean, Elsie Maud, John Arthur, Robert James, Constance, David Collinson, Jean Eve, and George Leonard. Alf was the third generation of Taits with a connection to the sea and sailing, with his Scottish-born grandfather, Captain John Tait being renowned for his extensive maritime service. He had fought in the Boer War and Zulu Rebellion in South Africa and WWI in the 13th Light Horse. He was later to become the first deputy Commissioner of War Service Homes in Victoria, so the concept of loyalty was ingrained in the family.
Alf’s childhood was not without challenges. He had just turned nine when his baby sister, 4-month-old Jean died in April 1913.
Post school, fourteen-year-old Alf was employed by the National Cash Register Company, with one of his duties being to take cash to the bank. In September ’18 he had stored £15 in his coat pocket when accosted by a thief, known to Alf, grabbed the notes. Following Alf’s protestations, the thief returned some notes, but on counting these, there were just 10 in the roll. The following day, Alf pointed the thief out to a Constable, resulting in a Court Case.
Soon after that incident, Alf joined the navy in October as 6990, serving on several ships until July ’22. In the meantime, several of his sibling married, including his half-sister, Eliza (Pettigrew) in Morgan in January ’19. This was followed by Alf’s older brother, 17-year-old John Arthur who married Sylvia Alice Maud Teasdale in the family home at Birkenhead. Sadly, John’s life was cut short, aged 24 on the 23rd December 1927 in Adelaide. Alf and the family continued to remember John on the anniversary of his death.
Chronicle Saturday 22 December 1928, TAIT. — In loving memory of our dear son and brother John, who passed away on the 23rd December, 1927. Age, 24 and 10 months. There's a vacant place in our hearts and home That never can be filled. For our John has taken his last long journey, In God's beautiful ship called Rest. Away from pain and sorrow. To live for ever with the blessed. — Inserted by mother, father, brothers Alf., Dave, Bob, and Len.
After his stint in the Navy, Alf became a storeman at the Glanville Sugar Refinery. With unrest growing in the world, his 67-year-old mother, Jane died in January 1940. Alf and his sister, Agnes continued to remember her on the anniversary of her death. (Agnes was later to also be the family contact when Alf enlisted.) With the outbreak of WWII aged 36, Alf decided to enlist on the 28th June, 1940 in the army.
Alf’s younger brothers David and Leonard, both also enlisted, but in the Navy. David on the 2nd September ‘39 became PA1381 and Leonard in February ’42 as 20154. Both survived the war and were discharged in January and August ’46 respectively.
Following intensive training at Woodside, on the 5th February, ‘41 Alf sailed for the Middle East on the Mauretania as part of the reinforcements for the 2/48th Battalion. He was part of the 9th Australian Infantry Special Group until he contracted pneumonia, spending much of November recovering in hospital. He was amongst the group of men who were to earn the proudly borne title of being a Rat of Tobruk. Initially this was a term designed to demoralise the allied troops, who at the time were living in hand-hewn underground dugouts. The Germans derisively called this living like rats, but it was immediately seized on as a term of pride.
Aged 38, Alf was killed in action on the 10th July ’42. That month, his battalion faced the full force of a Rommel led attack at Tel El Eisa. In a night counter-attack on enemy tanks, John Glenn in Tobruk to Tarakan described how “The shadowy forms of the men moved closer and closer to the dark shapes of the tanks that stood silhouetted against the lighter sky. The order had been to creep onto the tanks until somebody was forced to open fire. When the troops were almost on the tanks a startled German let go with a burst from his Spandau. Then A Company, yelling like a mob of mad dervishes, charged the tanks, firing everything they had. The charge from the silence of the night to the hideous yelling of the men charging in from all sides was too much for the tank crews. They pulled out as quickly as they could, grinding away in the darkness.”
Mark Johnston meticulously translated and annotated diary entries “Derrick VC In His Own Words” On the 10th July ’42 ‘Diver’ Derrick described aspects of the fight to retain the Hill Of Jesus at Tel El Eisa, with Col Hammer visiting the men to inform them of the success of their attack. “From the CO who appeared exceptionally pleased, we learnt the Bn had taken all objectives and captured 1,100 prisoners, our casualties were under 15 only one being fatal, Alf Tait, in A Coys Mortar detachment received an enemy burst.”
The Advertiser at the end of July 1942, carried the news. TAlT.—Killed in action on July 10, in Egypt, Private Alfred W. Tait, loved son of Mr. J. A. Tait and the late Mrs. Tait. loving brother of Bell, Con, Agnes, Bob, Dave, and Len. More tragedy was to visit the family with Alf’s 74-year-old father, John’s death in August ’42. He now also rests in the Cheltenham cemetery with Jane.)
In September, the Chronicle carried a list of those in the 2/48th Battalion Killed In Action with Alf. They were SX7979 I--Sgt. Lindsay R. Evans. Keyneton; SX9301 Pte. Alfred W. Tait. Birkenhead and SX7948 Pte. Kenneth L. Trenorden. Summertown.

Initially Alf was buried in Tel El Eisa but in March ’43 he was finally laid to rest in the El Alamein Cemetery in Plot 16, Row A Grave 8. Nearby are others from his 2/48th Battalion, killed on the same day. These include 29-year-old SX7331 Sergeant Jack Golding, 27-year-old SX7272 Private John Spavin (M.M.) and 32-year-old SX9529 Lance Corporal Alfred F. Lear. Alf’s family chose the inscription ‘Always Remembered By Those Who loved Him. Peacefully Resting’ for his headstone.
In the ensuing years, Alf was remembered by his siblings, fellow 2/48th soldier Syd Chenoweth SX7903, Navy mates and his civilian workmates.
Advertiser Monday 12 July 1943, TAIT. Pte. Alf.—A tribute to the memory of my pal killed in action July 10. To be with us in the same old way would be my dearest wish today.—lnserted by his old pal, Syd Chenoweth. TAIT.—In loving remembrance of Alf killed In action at Tobruk, July 10. 1942. Lest we forget.—lnserted by his pal George Bauer. TAIT.—In loving memory of Alf, killed in action at Tobruk, July 10. 1942.— Ever remembered by his friends, Lana and George Bauer. RAN. TAIT.—In loving memory of our friend, Alf killed in action at Tobruk, July 10 1942.—Ever remembered by Mr. and Mrs. Bauer, and Ron. TAIT.—Treasured memories of our brother, Alf. who was killed in action at Tel El Elsa. July 10, 1942.—Always remembered by brothers Bob, Dave, Len. of R.A.N. TAIT.—Loving memories of our dear brother and uncle. Alf, killed in action at Tel El Eisa. July 10, 1942. Lest we forget.—Remembered always by Bell, Bob, and niece Robin. Sydney. TAIT.—In loving memory of my dear brother. Alf, who was killed in action at Tel El Eisa. July 14, 1942. His duty nobly done.—Ever remembered by sister Agnes. TAIT (Pte Alf).—A tribute to the memory of our dear friend. Alf, killed in action. July 10, 1942. To be with us in same old way would be our dearest wish today.—Inserted by John (R-A.N). Mick. Mrs. Quinn. TAIT.—In sincere remembrance of our workmate. Alf. killed in action July 10, 1942. At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember him.— Inserted by his workmates. Col, Sugar Refinery. Glanvllle.
Advertiser Monday 10 July 1944, TAIT.—In loving memory of dear brother Alf. killed, in action at El Alamein July 10. 1942.—Ever remembered by sisters Agnes and Billie. TAlT.—Treasured memories of our dear brother and uncle Alf, killed in action a El Alamein. July 10. 1942.—Remembered always by Bell. Rob. and niece Robin of Sydney. TAIT.— In memory of Alf. killed in action Middle East. July 10, 1942-Remembered by his workmates of the Colonial Sugar Refinery. Glanville.
Sadly, with his father being the next of kin but dying the month after Alf, the precious medals earned by Alf have been lost. A cruel blow to those who continued to honour him.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.