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Malcolm was the oldest of three sons born on the 1st August 1915 to Daisy Chancellor and James Sutherland who were sheep farmers at Millicent in the South East of SA. Malcolm had two younger brothers, James and Noel and sisters including Margaret who later became a nurse. Their father, known as Jas was active as a local government representative for several years as well as being elected as leader of the Millicent Caledonian Society in October ‘31, replacing his own father who had previously held the position. Part of that ceremony involved those present having their first taste of haggis, "great chieftain o' the pudding race." The haggis was prepared by a former chief, the delectable concoction being cooked to the proverbial turn. The South Eastern Times reported that ‘For 45 years the name of Sutherland had been identified with the society, either as chief, chieftain, or director. When the late Mr Wm. Sutherland was installed in 1891, he was presented with a gold badge of office, which Mrs Sutherland had generously handed back to the society for presentation to her son on the occasion of his installation. Mr James Sutherland was the first son of a former chief to be elected to the highest office within the gift of the society, and he was also the youngest member to assume the leadership.’
In his early years, Malcolm attended the local Furner School and was fortunate to also be awarded a prize, presented by his father, for the highest average obtained for weekly examinations in grade IV and the following year a woodwork prize. By ’30 he was attending Millicent Public School and again proved to be strongly academic, topping the Grade 7 examinations. That year he also won a medal for his essay on ‘The Importance of Manufacturing Industries to Australia’ with his Millicent School winning five of the ten medals awarded state-wide.
Post school Malcolm worked on the family farm. He had grown up knowing that his uncle, Archibald Neil McArthur, who was 36 years of age when he enlisted in 1916 to serve in WWI, fought in England and France, where he gained the rank of sergeant. Wounded in July, 1918, at Morlancourt, Archibald later had to have both legs amputated at the thighs. Repeated unsuccessful attempts were made to equip him with artificial limbs but on his return, he continued with wool classing and lived an active life.
With the outbreak of WWII and perhaps inspired by their uncle, Malcolm and James decided to enlist together. In mid-June the two, with a large group of fellow young men from Millicent, headed to Adelaide to join up, hopefully in the airforce. The local South Eastern Times mentioning that ‘Others to leave for Adelaide yesterday included two sons of Mr and Mrs Jas. Sutherland, Malcolm and James.’
It was just prior to Malcolm’s 25th birthday and James was 20 when they enlisted on the 13th July ’40. They were given consecutive numbers, James being SX8881 and Malcolm SX8882. (Younger brother, Noel had already started training to be a pilot in September ’39 whilst working for Goldsborough Mort and Company. He was finally accepted in September ’41 to serve with the R.A.A.F. in September ’41 as 417429.)
The brothers’ initial days were 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, the brothers were home on a week’s pre-embarkation leave. In typical country fashion, a social was organised at the local Institute Hall for a valedictory and reception celebration. The men honoured included a number who enlisted with Malcolm and James, with several also being in the 2/48th Battalion including, Arthur Bonshor SX8877, Peter McArthur SX8879, Reg Seebohm SX8177 and Gerald Bellinger SX8878. The Hall was at capacity and was the largest gathering of relatives and friends held at Millicent since the war began. The South Eastern Times reported that ‘The guests entered the hall between a guard of honor formed by members of the returned soldiers' volunteer defence corps, while over 300 residents of the town and district stood to receive them.’
In an eulogistic speech the chairman declared that the young men ‘would make the Italians run faster and would give Hitler all he was looking for. The British Empire could not be beaten. Victory was in sight, and their airmen would soon be dropping two bombs for Hitler's one. Their guests that night were "fighting fit," and were a credit to Millicent and to the country they would represent overseas. The news of the retreat of the "Dagoes" was very heartening, but victory over them would not win the war. Britain was fighting practically alone for the preservation of democracy, and her peril was such that a 100 per cent, war effort was necessary to pull her through. Australia would have to do much more than was being done at present. Sixty thousand tons of British shipping had been sunk every week since the war began, all loaded with foodstuffs and supplies for Britain and her armies. If that were not stopped, God help Australia and the democracies. Their guests would help to stop it.’ Additional comments were made that ‘the men of the second A.I.F. would carry the torch high, and not allow it to be extinguished by Hitler. They would crush the false gods of Hitlerism and his demons of lust, and cruelty, and avarice. The experiences of countries overpowered by the Nazi hordes showed clearly that the issue for Australia was victory or slavery. The guests were descendants of a hardy, adventurous race, who came out in leaking sailing ships and wrested prosperity from a wilderness. They had the same grit and courage and would fight Hitler to the last ditch. When, in due course, they returned to Australia, they would find here a strong organisation of men of the old A.I.F. who would stand, by them through thick and thin.’ It was a stirring evening of speeches.
The Country Women’s’ Association presented the young men with a parcel of comforts, while the Millicent Council presented them with pocket wallets. Friends at Furner made Privates James and Malcolm Sutherland the recipients of parting gifts. Malcolm, on behalf of the men, made a speech in thanks to the community for their support.
Following pre-embarkation leave Malcolm, James and their fellow 2/48th Battalion, boarded the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 7th November 1940 and disembarked on the 17th December. Their 2/48th Battalion completed a few months training in Cyrenaica before going 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. Once there, they completed a few months training in Cyrenaica. Both brothers were to become one of the now famed Rats of Tobruk in a battalion which was to be highly regarded and decorated.
In 1942, Malcolm survived the fight to capture West Point of Tel el Eisa and the strategically important Trig 33. However, the 2/48th battalion suffered 215 casualties between the 7th July and 23rd October. His younger brother, James was killed on the 22nd July ’42. He was one of 64 men were killed and six, died of their wounds. 125 other men were wounded but survived. In his book, ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’, John G. Glenn described the ferocious encounter;
‘When the troops were well forward of the start-line they came under terrific fire from shells and mortars from the front and left and suffered heavy casualties. With the slow deliberate movement of perfectly trained soldiers both companies continued the advance in perfect formation, over ground that trembled and erupted with vicious explosions. Through this, sometimes obscured by the smoke and dust, the men moved, and, as they advanced, the fire kept place with them, leaving behind the still shapes of fallen men among the camel bush and sand.’ James was amongst those who were killed in action.
Back home, the local Border Watch reported in their August edition the tragic news. ‘Mr. and Mrs. James Sutherland, of Furner, have been notified that their son, Pte. James McArthur Sutherland was killed in action in Egypt on July 22. An older brother was serving in the same battalion with him. A third son of the family is in the R.A.A F.’ The South Eastern Times carried a similar tribute. ‘Mr and Mrs Jas. Sutherland, of Furner, were notified by the military authorities on Tuesday that their second son, Private James McArthur Sutherland, had been killed in action in Egypt on July 22. He was serving in the same battalion as his brother, Private Malcolm Sutherland. They fought in the Tobruk campaign and afterwards spent some time in Syria before moving into the defence of Egypt. James was born at Millicent 22 years ago. He and his brother enlisted in 1940 and went overseas last year. Warm sympathy is felt for Mr and Mrs Sutherland in their grievous loss. The third son of the family, Noel, is training with the R.A.A.F. at a South Australian post.’
The paper also noted that two of Malcolm’s friends in the 2/48th had also been wounded in action during the fighting in Egypt. They were Private Eric J. Chuck, of Kalangadoo, SX7666 2/48th and Private Kenneth J. Grindell, of Mundalla SX13569 2/48th.
Almost immediately after James’ death, the local paper shared news from Sergeant Arthur R. Bonshor, on active service with the A.I.F. in Egypt. The message dated November 6, ‘42 soon after the big push against Rommel, states:—"Well and happy. Don't worry. Keep smiling." Sergt. Bonshor is serving in the same unit as Private Malcolm Sutherland, also of Millicent.’ The closeness of those from the same hometown was evident.
Back home on leave early in March ‘43, Malcolm attended a quaintly named ‘smoke social’ at the Millicent Returned Soldiers’ Association. Reference was made to the hope that the war would be brought to a speedy and successful termination. The similarity of aims and ideals, for which the two Australian expeditionary forces had fought and bled, and to the need for greater watchfulness over the terms of peace that would follow the present world conflict, was made. It was declared that when the Allies had achieved victory on the battlefield, their soldiers as civilians, would have much to do to make the victory worthwhile. This was followed by a tribute to those young men, including James, who had fallen.
In what should have been a time to relax away from the theatre of war and tragedy, Malcolm headed to a favourite family camping area between Beachport and Robe before returning home to Furner. His father, uncle and his father’s cousin were part of a group of four who went fishing several days later. Horrifically, their 12-foot dingy was swamped as they rowed back to Nora Creina Bay. When the boat capsized the anchor fell out. Malcolm’s uncle Archibald, the WWI survivor drowned with two other men. Only Jas Sutherland, Malcolm’s father, survived. He was found shocked and unresponsive but recovered later in hospital. Archie’s body was later found but not the other two men despite a massive search. From this second family tragedy, Malcolm returned to his battalion. His war continued.
In February the following year ’44, Malcolm, Private Gerald Bellinger and Sergeant Arthur Bonshor who had all enlisted and served together in the 2/48th, were home on precious leave. The local paper continued to report on the progress of the war and of the part younger brother Noel was playing in October that year. ‘A London Message to "The Advertiser" states that Flt-Sgt. N. C. Sutherland, of Millicent, piloted a Spitfire in a squadron which recently shot up enemy, foxholes near Boulogne, guns near Dunkirk, and other strongpoints. Noel-is the youngest of the three soldier sons of Mr and Mrs James Sutherland, of Furner. An older brother, James, A.I.F., was killed in action in the Middle East. Noel, who now holds the rank of Warrant-officer, was a member of the clerical staff of Goldsborough, Mort & Co., Ltd., at Millicent, and received his early training for the air force as a member of the Millicent A.T.C. under Flying-officer D. C. Smith.’
Malcolm continued to serve, rising to the rank of Sergeant before being discharged on the 16th November ’45. Flying-Officer Noel Sutherland had returned in September ‘after long service with the R.A.A.F. in the European theatre of war.‘ The following year, Malcolm and Norah Ethel Savage, from Robe announced their engagement in August ’46. Eight months later in April ‘47 they married in the Robe Church of England with Malcolm choosing Robert McDonald, a flight officer from Millicent, as his groomsman.
Malcolm’s parents continued to work for the war effort, actively supporting the Food for Britain Appeal, donating the sale of a fat lamb and a wether from the Millicent Markets. Malcolm also returned to sheep farming with he and Nora welcoming three children, Robert, Dianne and John in the ensuing years.
74-year-old Nora died on the 9th February 1993 and 82 year old Malcolm died on the 9th December 1998. Both are buried in the Robe Cemetery.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion