Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Alwyn (Alwin) was born on the 13th March 1903 at Moculta, an area where German migrants settled in the 1850’s escaping religious persecution and setting up a strong Lutheran community, including Gruenberg and Gnadenberg. (Both these names were later Anglicised during WWI because of anti-Germanic sentiment.) Alwin’s parents were Heinrich (Henry) Ernst and Antonie Sarah Munchenberg. He had an older brother, Walter Ernest, born the previous year and two sisters, older Anna Gera and younger Antonie Olga. With anti-Germanic feeling becoming rife, by July 1917 Moculta school was one of 49 existing Lutheran schools which were closed and often the building used to house Department Schools. Only one of the Lutheran teachers were subsequently employed in the massive restructuring.
Alwin’s family moved to live in the Adelaide suburb of Paradise on the north of the Torrens River, with Alwyn working as a motor driver. Aged 29, he married Dorothy Victoria Rutter of Stockade Reserve, at the Northfield Methodist Church in an evening ceremony, on Saturday, 11th June, ‘32. They lived in Joslyn where, a year later they welcomed a precious daughter, Florence Ruth on the 28th June. On the 1st March ’36 their son, Peter Max arrived. He lived for 2 ½ months, with his remains ‘privately laid to rest in the Dudley Park Cemetery on the I8th May. Only lent.’ In July the following year, another precious son, Alwin Max was born on the 13th July ’37. However, tragedy again stalked the family when their young daughter, Florence Ruth died in the Children’s Hospital on the 24th June ’40 aged 6 years and 11 months. She was also later buried at the Dudley Park Cemetery with her baby brother.
As WWII had erupted, aged 37, Alwin enlisted soon after Ruth’s death, on the 20th July ’40. He was given the number SX9202 and allocated to the 2/48th Battalion where he eventually became a stretcher bearer. Four months later, Walter also enlisted on the 8th November as S26273 and again on the 9th April ’41 when he became SX12184 and was briefly allocated also to the 2/48th Battalion, but then the 2/10th Battalion. However, it was found that he had cardiac failure and was discharged on the 23rd July the same year, before he was able to embark for overseas service.
Alwin’s early training was spent in the cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds, before he and other new enlistees headed to Woodside for their preliminary training. Just prior to Christmas, Alwin had a week’s pre-embarkation leave before he and his fellow 2/48th Battalion, boarded the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 7th November 1940 and disembarked on the 17th December. Alwin was extremely unwell at the end of that year, causing him to be hospitalised then subsequent ear and stomach issues caused problems while he was in the Middle East. The 2/48th Battalion completed a few months training in Cyrenaica before their next stop was to Tobruk at the start of April 1941 where the dust, flies, heat, minimal water supplies and constant bombardment were quite a challenge to these fresh new enlistees.
Whilst Alwin was serving overseas, at home his extended family continued to grieve the loss of Ruth.
Advertiser Tuesday 24 June 1941, MUNCHENBERG. —In loving memory of our dear grandchild Ruth, who died on the 24th of June, 1940. Safe in the arms of Jesus. —Inserted by her grandparents of Collinswood. MUNCHENBERG.—In loving memory of Ruth, who fell asleep one year ago today. "In God's tender care." —Remembered always by cousins, John and Glenys Fox. MUNCHENBERG.—In loving memory of Ruth, who passed away on the 24th of June, 1940. We have her in our memories, God has her in His care. —Inserted by auntie Olga, uncle Jim, Ronda and Gordon. MUNCHENBERG.—In loving memory of our little girl Ruth, who died on the 24th of June, 1940. A little bud so young and fair, A little flower we longed to rear; A sweet little girl was laid to rest, How dear she was God knowest best. Inserted by her loving mother and father (A.I.F., abroad) and Max. MUNCHENBERG.—In loving memory of our little granddaughter Ruth, who died on the 24th of June, 1940. Deep in our hearts a memory is kept, Of one we loved and will never forget. —Ever remembered by her loving grand-parents, W. and E. Rutter. MUNCHENBERG.—In loving memory of dear Ruth, who passed away on the 24th of June, 1940. Asleep in God's garden. —Inserted by auntie Ena.
Advertiser Wednesday 24 June 1942, MUNCHENBERG. —In loving memory of our dear granddaughter Ruth, who died on June 24, 1940. Not today, but every day, In silence we remember. —Inserted by her loving grandparents, W. and E. Rutter, Stuart road, Harcourt Gdns., South Plympton. MUNCHENBERG. —In loving memory of our darling little Ruth, who died on June 24, 1940. Two sad years have passed, But love and grief remain: In life she was so dear to us, In death she is the same. —Inserted by her loving mother and father (A.I.F. abroad) and brother Max.

Alwin and 35-year-old Ernest William (Sam) Moore, SX11130 were both in the same battalion and both were stretcher bearers. In the battle for El Alamein in October ’42 Sam was killed during the intense fighting on the 25th. The 2/48th Battalion had prepared for the second battle of El Alamein which began on October 23rd. That month, Mongomery had ordered the 9th Battalion to attack northward. This included an all-out attack on the strategically positioned Trig 29. The evening was described by John Glenn in ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’ as ‘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.’ 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.’
John Glenn added more detail. ‘At last light on the same front some three hundred enemy troops attacked, and D Company area was swept by small arms fire. During this action Private Pat Hoare was killed and Lance-Corporal Henry Lohmann was so badly hit that he died soon after. A stretcher bearer, Private E.W.S. Moore, raced forward into the thick of the firing, carrying a Red Cross flag, to go to the assistance of Lance Corporal Lohmann, but was killed before he could reach him. Clem Billings volunteered to make the next attempt to reach Lohmann but Lieutenant Byrne refused to allow more men to sacrifice themselves. Under cover of darkness that night, however, Byrne led a patrol forward to bring in the bodies of our dead.”
Over the ensuing year Alwin continued to remember Sam on the anniversary of his death.
Advertiser Saturday 23 October 1943, MOORE.—A tribute to the memory of my comrade Sam, who died Oct. 25, 1942. He sleeps in a soldier's gave honored among Australia's brave.—Pte A. H. Munchenberg.
That same year, Alwin’s older brother Walter, aged 41, a Commonwealth Peace Officer died on the 27th June ’43 just three days after the anniversary of Ruth’s death.
Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), Monday 28 June 1943, page 6MUNCHENBERG.—On June 27, Walter E., the dearly loved husband of Lucy, and darling daddy of lan, Natalie, and Coralle, of 41 Spring St. York, aged 41 years. Too dearly loved to be forgotten MUNCHENBERG. —On June 27, Walter E, loved eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. H. E Munchenberg. of 75 Kintore av. Prospect (late of Paradise), loving brother of Alwin (A.1.F.). Gera, Olga Nettle, and Ena. MUNCHENBERG. —In loving memory of Ruth, who passed away June 24, 1940. —Ever remembered by her grandparents, of Prospect, Aunty Olga. Aunty Nettie, and families, and Aunty Ena. MUNCHENBERG. —In loving memory of our darling Ruth, who passed away on June 24. 1940. Deep down in our hearts your memory Is kept.—Sadly missed by her loving mother, father (AIF.) ret. and brother Max.
Alwin had returned home but was soon training in Queensland to prepare for fighting in the tropical conditions of New Guinea, against a very different enemy and setting. He arrived in Milne Bay in August ’43, returning via Brisbane but with ongoing health issues that affected his lungs, then the nerves in his right thigh. His family continued to mourn the loss of young Ruth and Walter in the following years.

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), Saturday 24 June 1944, page 10MUNCHENBEBG. —In loving memory of dear Ruth, who passed away on June 24, 1940. With so many memories, how could we forget? —lnserted by her loving father and mother and brother Max. MUNCHENBERG. —In remembrance of our granddaughter Ruth, who passed away on June 24, 1940. Time passes by, but memories linger on. —Inserted by her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Rutter, Plympton. MUNCHENBERG. —In loving memory of Ruth, who passed away June 24, 1940. —Ever remembered by her grandparents, of Prospect, aunties, uncles and cousins.
Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), Wednesday 27 June 1945, page 12MUNCHENBERG.—In loving memory of my dear husband, Wally, died June 27 1943 Sweet is the hope that again we shall meet, kneeling together at Jesu's feet. - Longed for always. Lucy. MUNCHENBERG.—In loving memory of our dear dad. Memories are treasures no one can steal, death leaves a wound no one can heal. His loving daughters Natalie and Coralie. MUNCHENBERG.—In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Walter, who passed away June 27, 1943: also our dear grandchild and niece, Ruth, died June 24, 194o.—Sadly missed by H. and A. Munchenberg and family.
The family continued to be dealt a cruel hand. Wally’s young son, Ian Walter wanted to contribute financially to his widowed mother. He attempted to enlist with the R.A.A.F. when he turned 18 but was rejected because of defective sight. Consequently, with his cousin Ronald Ritter, (Alwin’s sister Olga’s boy) the two joined the Merchant Navy. Ian had celebrated his 18th birthday at home before the two joined the crew of a Norwegian motor ship that sailed from Port Adelaide but neither had a passport or inoculation. Ronald celebrated his 16th birthday on board. A month later he contracted smallpox at Alexandria and was admitted to hospital, where he later died. Back on board, Ian had a fever when the ship put to sea again and was admitted to a British Army hospital at Bone (Algeria) in an unconscious condition, dying the following night from smallpox in April ‘44. Ian’s mother was not able to claim a war pension as his death was not due to a war injury.
With the war at an end, Alwin was discharged on the 28th July ’44, four years after enlisting. He was able to share several years of peacetime with his parents before his father, Henry died in June ’56 and his mother Antonie in August ’58. Both were buried in the same cemetery as their granddaughter, Ruth, grandson Peter Max and son Wally.
Alwin and Dorothy celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary in 1982 with Alwin subsequently living to be 105 and died on the 1st August 2008. His wife Dorothy Victoria also lived into her 90’s and died in 2000. Both are buried in the Dudley Park cemetery with their daughter Ruth and baby son Peter.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion