Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Clifford was the second child and eldest son born on the 22nd April1901 at Carawa a small settlement out of Streaky Bay on the Eyre Peninsula. He was one of ten children born to William and Bertha Elizabeth Fowler. His siblings included Eva Evelyne, Gordon Harold, Grace Reath, Howard Oliver, Irene Maria, Ray Ronald , Mavis Maud, Verdun and Kevin. Cliff was 21 when his 42-year-old mother died in July ’23. Clifford, known as Jim, worked as a share farmer, marrying Elsie Ann Boehm, who also had come from a large family (of seventeen children) in 1927. She and Jim had three children, Fay, Reginald (Bob) and Dawn Annette.
Jim enlisted just days before his 39th birthday on the 15th July 1940. He was allocated to the newly formed 2/48th Battalion as SX8914, spending his early days at Wayville, now the Adelaide Showgrounds. Fortuitously, a formal photo was taken of the members of Cliff’s 2/48th Battalion, 9th Platoon prior to the men leaving South Australia. Following a week’s leave, Cliff and his fellow enlistees embarked on the Stratheden on the 7th November, arriving in the Middle East on the 17th December. A month later, Cliff then became part of the 2/48th Headquarters Guarding Battalion.
Just prior to the Battle of Tobruk Jim had left with the Old and the Bold to fight in Greece. He was soon reported missing in action ‘date unknown’ about the 28th April ’41 but was not officially recognised as being ‘Missing’ until early in June when his wife was informed. The West Coast Sentinel had little to share with the locals, reporting early in August ’41 that ‘Regret was expressed that so far no news has been received of Pte. Fowler, of Carawa, who has been posted missing for some time.’
It became quite a common tribute, particularly in country communities, for those remaining in hometowns to plant trees in honour of the young men who had enlisted to serve overseas. In August ‘41 the people of Nunji siding gathered to also honour their men. The Sentinel reported that ‘12 trees were planted as tributes to local soldiers serving overseas. The National Anthem and the Song of Australia were sung by the school children. The president of the C.W.A. (Mrs. Lang) briefly outlined the proceedings. Mr. Dunn spoke on behalf of the public; he hoped that the trees would grow and shelter Nunjikompita as the boys were so bravely sheltering Australia.’ The tree honouring Jim was planted by seven-year-old Neville Dunn.
By this time, Jim was taken to Stalag XVIII A and given a Prisoner of War number 3962. The camp was in the south of Austria near the town of Wolfsberg, which had become part of Nazi Germany. By September Jim was officially confirmed as being a Prisoner of War. The Sentinel again shared this, recording that ‘It has now been confirmed that Pte C. J. Fowler (SX 8934. Inf.), of Carawa, and Pte. T. Edwards (SX2318, Inf.), of Port Lincoln, previously reported as missing are prisoners of war.’ (Trevor Edwards of the 2/10th also survived being a POW, returning to live in Port Lincoln.) The local paper added more detail in December that ‘News has been received that Private C. J. Fowler, of Carawa, who joined up to the A.l.F. on July 6 of last year, has been captured and is now a prisoner-of war.’
That month’s records show that there was a typhus outbreak in the Camp, resulting in the deaths of several prisoners, especially amongst those whose rations were particularly poor. For the Australians, the Red Cross parcels were of major importance to the prisoners for the foods and provisions they contained.
Jim escaped from the prison camp, knowing it was best to head towards Italy. At great risk to their own safety and livelihood, Italian families assisted him.
With the war at a close, Jim’s wife Elsie, received the news that he had travelled from Europe to England on the 17th May ’45. He eventually arrived in Sydney on the 7th July. Just two days prior to his return, a very welcome list appearing in the July ’45 issue of the Chronicle that Jim was ‘Reported Repatriated’. In the same list were others from the 2/48th Battalion including Tom Brown of Glenburnle Reginald Absalom SX11667 of Quorn, Clifford Fowler SX8914 from Streaky Bay, Max Reed SX7137 of West Croydon (who was under-age when he enlisted) and Stephen Rogers SX6693 from Broken Hill.
From Sydney, Jim trained to South Australia on the 9th. The News recorded the emotional welcome the men faced at the Adelaide Railway Station. ‘Women with tears streaming down their cheeks embraced returning A.I.F. prisoners of war and airmen who had been away four years when they arrived at the Adelaide Railway Station today. In the crowd to meet them were wives, mothers, and sweethearts. The men were hurried off to motor transport waiting to take the airmen to Springbank and the Army personnel to Wayville. Pte. C.J. Fowler Edgecombe Street Woodville was one of the named A.I.F. captive prisoners of war who returned on the train.
Back home, 44-year-old Jim contracted the extremely painful condition of shingles, spending over a fortnight in the Kapara Convalescent Home. Conditions as a POW quite probably contributed to him also becoming deaf in both ears and contracting dysentery. He was finally officially discharged on the 26th September ’45. During the war years, Elsie had moved from Carawa to Woodville where they continued to live after the war.
Jim’s father had lived to see his oldest son return home safely. Aged 75, he died at Jim and Elsie’s home in November the following year and was buried in the West Terrace Cemetery.
Post war, Jim gained employment with Chrysler Dodge De Soto Distributors, Ltd to transport cars between Adelaide and Melbourne. Occasionally, Elsie would accompany him on trips, leaving Adelaide on a Thursday and returning Friday. In an horrific accident, both he and Elsie were killed near Dobie, Ararat in Victoria on the 7th April 1949. Elsie was 39 and Jim 49. Investigations suggested Jim may have fallen asleep while crossing the bridge at Dobie, causing the truck to crash through the side rails and 15 feet into the creek where it burst into flames, trapping the couple in the cabin. A fellow Adelaide carrier following behind, was helpless to defeat the inferno. Jim and Elsie are now buried together in the Cheltenham Cemetery.
Jim and Elsie continued to be mourned and remembered by their family.
Mail Saturday 10 April 1948, FOWLER.— On April 8, at Dobie, Victoria (result of accident), Clifford James (Jim) , also Elsie Anne (late of Carawa, West Coast), loving parents of Fay (Mrs. J. Stacey), father and mother-in-law of James, and grandparents of baby Robert.
Advertiser Saturday 10 April 1948, FOWLER.— On April 8, at Dobie, Victoria (result of accident), Clifford James, dearly beloved husband of the late Elsie Anne Fowler and loving father of Reg, Dawn and Faye. Aged 49 years. FOWLER.—On April 8, at Dobie, Victoria (result of accident), Elsie Anne, dearly loved wife of the late Clifford James Fowler and loving mother of Reg, Dawn and Faye. Aged 39 years.
Advertiser Monday 11 April 1949, FOWLER-—ln loving memory of our dear brother and sister-in-law, accidentally killed April 7. 1948— Always remembered by Mavis, Cyril, Bev. and Barry Telford, Peter borough.
Advertiser Saturday 8 April 1950, FOWLER. — In loving memory of my dear mother and father, who passed away April 8. 1948. Result of accident. Gone but not forgotten. Ever remembered by their daughter Fay, son-in-law James, and grandchildren Robert and Sandra. FOWLER.— In sad but loving memory of dear Elsie and Jim who passed 'sweet memories will last forever. -Sadly missed by auntie Alice. FOWLER.— Loving memories of our dear friend Elsie. We often look at your photo. You seem to smile and say Don't grieve. I'm only resting. We'll meet again someday. -Sadly missed by Nell and Laurel. FOWLER.— Things have changed in many ways. But one thing changes never. Memories of those happy days When we were all together. Two darling hearts of gold. Too wonderful for this world to hold -Always in my prayers, sadly missed. Always remembered by loving daughter Dawn.
Advertiser Tuesday 10 April 1951, FOWLER.—In loving memory of mother and father. Ever in our thoughts. —Fay, Jim, Robert, Sandra, Daryl. FOWLER.—In loving memory of my darling mother and father. Two darling hearts of gold Too wonderful for this world to hold. Inserted by Dawn. FOWLER. — In loving memory of my dear mother and father, who passed away, result of accident. April 8. 1948. Hearts that loved you never forget. In memory you are with me yet.— Ever remembered by their loving son Bob. FOWLER.— In loving memory or our dear friend Elsie. Sadly missed. — Nell and Laurel.
Advertiser Wednesday 9 April 1952, FOWLER.— Loving memory of mum and dad, accidentally killed April 8. 1848.— Always remembered by loving daughter Fay and son-in-law James. FOWLER.—In loving memory of my dear mother and father, who were killed, result of accident, on April 7, 1949. Years may pass, but sweet memories stay.—Ever remembered by their son Reg. FOWLER.—In memory of my dear friend Elsie —Sadly missed by Laurel. FOWLER.— In loving memory of my darling mother and father, died April 7. 1948. result of accident. Two darling parents with marvellous hearts of gold. Too precious for this world to hold. Always in my prayers. Sadly missed.— Always remembered by loving daughter Dawn.
Advertiser Wednesday 8 April 1953, FOWLER. — In loving memory of our dear mother and father, passed away April 7, 1948. Your company was our greatest pleasure, Your memories now our dearest treasure. —Ever remembered by loving daughter Fay, son-in-law Jim and grandchildren Robert, Sandra, Daryl, Brenton.
Advertiser Wednesday 7 April 1954, FOWLER. — In ever-loving, cherished memories of our darling mother and father, died (result of accident) April 7, 1948. Two marvellous people with hearts of gold, too wonderful for this world to hold. — Sadly missed, longed for always, by loving daughter Dawn. FOWLER.—In loving memory of my darling mother and father, who were killed (result of accident) on April 7, 1948.— Always remembered by their loving son Bob. FOWLER.—In loving memory of our dear mother and father, died in accident, April 7, 1948. Too dearly loved to be forgotten.—Sadly missed by loving daughter Fay, son-in-law Jim, grandchildren Robert, Sandra, Daryl, Brenton.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.