Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

James, known as Jim, was born at Port Vincent to Ernest Andrew and Lucy Mary Travis on the 21st April 1916. He was the third son and fourth of seven children, including Mary (Molly) Cora, Leo Ernest, John (Jack) Eyers, Elizabeth (Betty) Annie, Nancy Patricia and Margaret (Peg) Mary.
As was usual in that era, families were heavily involved in their community and Ernest was no exception. Early on, he was secretary of the local Port Vincent School and, during WWII was caretaker of the Yorketown Town Hall. The family lived on a farm at Port Julia on the Yorke Peninsula, between Port Vincent and Black Point. Just two months after Jim’s eleventh birthday, his older brother, thirteen-year-old Jack died following an horrific farm accident. As was common, young boys would go out rabbiting, bringing home fresh met and gaining pocket money for the pelts of this introduced vermin. Jack was with other younger boys when he was accidentally shot through the thigh. By the time a doctor attended, Jack had died of a haemorrhage and shock.
In his 20’s Jim developed into a confident, popular young man who enjoyed acting as Master of Ceremonies for his friends, including Gordon Lafsky. He was also organised, acting as Secretary for his local Catholic Church which held an annual Ball in the Curramulka Institute. For that event, there was excellent attendance, people coming from Yorketown, Minlaton, Port Vincent, Port Julia and Stansbury. Jim’s sister, Betty also helped with the generous Supper. As did so many country families, Jim enjoyed travelling down to the Adelaide Royal Show for the week and life was full.
However, WWII intervened. Consequently, the army undertook huge enlistment drives in country regions, aimed at fit, single young men. The drive was exceptionally successful with 24-year-old Jim enlisting on the 21st June ’40 at Minlaton with fellow farmer, Doug Cameron. Both were allocated to the newly formed 2/48th Battalion, Jim as SX8872 and Doug as SX8847. The local Pioneer in July listed all the other young men from the area who had enlisted ‘Messrs. Doug. Cameron, Stuart Martin, Pat Whyte, Jim Travis, who have enlisted for Overseas Service, entered Wayville Camp on Monday.’ All were involved in farming and fortuitously were all allocated to the 2/48th Battalion together. Stewart was SX8871 and Patrick SX8874.
(Jim’s older brother, Leo also later enlisted on 3rd January ’42 as S55983. He was eventually discharged on the 22nd January ’45.)
For those in the 2/48th, their early army days were spent in the cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds, before they heading to Woodside for preliminary training. Following pre-embarkation leave the 2/48th Battalion then left on the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 17th November 1940, disembarking on the 17th December. The young men then completed a few months training in Cyrenaica facing dust, flies, heat, minimal water supplies and constant bombardment when in Tobruk.
Jim was eventually able to return to Australia via Melbourne in February, ’43 to return home on leave. His two older sisters, Betty and Nancy, travelled to Adelaide to meet him on his return. Fellow 2/48th soldier, Doug Cameron also had his family meet him from the same train. Unfortunately for Jim as a soldier where extensive marching and lugging of equipment was a necessity, the state of his knees lead to operations to remove cartilage and he was hospitalised for several weeks in October ’43. By January the following year he had developed synovitis in his right knee which led to his eventual discharge on the 28th January ’44. Issued with a civilian suit and hat, Jim returned to Curramulka to stay with his parents. Typically, a huge welcome home social was organised for Jim, Ron Poole SX25268 and Len Tucker 115924 , by the Welfare Committee. These young men were praised for the service each man had given for his King and Country, and each was welcomed back to their hometown.
It was a year of marriages for the Travis family. Jim married Kathleen Mary Gregor in the Parkside Catholic Church in an evening service on the 6th May ’44. The two had grown up together in Curramulka, but Kathleen’s father, Stephen died in the Curramulka Hospital in April ’28 aged 47. Eventually their mother remarried, and the family moved from the area. (Kathleen’s brother, Ken Nykiel had also enlisted on the 30 July ’42 as SX20920.)
Jim and Kathleen began a family with their first child, Lynette Rose arriving in March ’45. Sadly, their next child, a son was stillborn in December ’47. Ruth Gaynor arrived in March ’49 followed by Anthony (Tony) James in May ’50.
In ‘44 Jim’s sister, Elizabeth also married, to Gordon Joraslafsky in August, with Jim acting as groomsman. When peace was finally declared, Jim’s knee had recovered sufficiently for him to return to the sport he loved – football. Playing for Curramulka, affectionately known as ‘Curry’ Jim was outstanding with the Pioneer’s football reporter writing that his ‘marking and kicking was without equal’. In a match against Yorketown in ’46, Curramulka won 12-10 to Yorketown’s 8-10, with Jim having kicked seven of his team’s goals. Naturally, he was adjudicated as Curramulka’s Best Player. In that year’s Semi Final, played in extremely windy conditions, Jim’s three goals contributed to Curramulka’s win against Stansbury. This feat was repeated against Minlaton in the second Semi with Jim again kicking four goals. Throughout the season, Jim attracted some umpires’ votes for the Fairest, Most Brilliant and Gentlemanly Player in the Minor Round of the SYP Football Association. ‘Curry’ again took out the Premiership in ’47 with Jim continuing to contribute with his marking and goaling.
Jim led by example as captain for ‘Curry’ with reports carried in the Pioneer in ’50 reflecting the impact he had on the game.
‘Jim Travis bullocking his way through a scrimmage to 'goal.’
‘Jim Travis, by strong marking at half forward, sent forward repeatedly with his long punt kick.’
‘Jim Travis, consistently useful for the first three quarters, rose to great heights in the last term. His strong aerial work in this quarter went unchallenged, and he was an inspiration to his side.’
“Their forwards, Jim Travis. Lin Short and Keith Tucker, playing systematic football and found the tall uprights on many occasions’.
‘J. Travis' six goals put him on a par with his opponent.’
That year he was also one of six Curramulka players selected to play in a combined R.S.L. team against West Adelaide at Stansbury, captaining the side with the praise that ‘Captain Jim Travis, who is playing well this season, has proved more than a good footballer.’ And ‘Jim Travis played like a champ.’
Jim concluded that season with ‘Curry’ as Premiers, also receiving a trophy for his season. At the start of the ’51 season, Jim, as one of the tall men for ‘Curry’ suggested he may be getting a bit old, (at 35) but the community ‘hoped the call of the ball would strong and perhaps Lin and Jim will be unable to resist. If they remain out, Curramulka will have lost some real stalwarts, and those "littler" teams will rejoice. "

Jim continued to enjoy playing cricket, representing the Southern Yorke Peninsula Association team in matches against Prospect and Yorketown over Easter ’51. He proved to be an exceptional bowler for Minlaton, taking an impressive 5 for 41 when bowling.

Jim was an active member of the Curramulka R.S.L. Sub-Branch in the post-war years. One of the most poignant roles was to honour another young local, Melross (Ross) Thomas, who enlisted as a 19-year-old, SX19309 and was also in the 2/48th Battalion. He died of the wounds he sustained during the fighting in New Guinea on the 12th June ’45 aged just 21. In Ross’ honour, the Curramulka community were generous in donating to the construction of a memorial which was unveiled on the 26th October ’47. It was fittingly named the Melross Thomas Memorial. Jim, in his capacity as President of the Curramulka Branch of the RSL was one of those instrumental in organising the day. The Pioneer reported that ‘A very large gathering assembled, including many visitors from surrounding districts. The Returned Servicemen formed a guard of honor through which Mr. and Mrs. Thomas and Jim, accompanied by the Hon. Mr C.S. Hincks, M P., and Mr. H. Bennett, walked to the Memorial Gates.’ The President of the Memorial Committee expressed appreciation to all assembled to honour the memory of a fallen comrade while Mr. Bennett expressed sympathy and comfort to the bereaved parents. In the ensuing speeches the sacrifice Ross had made was praised for his contribution to helping create a better world. Mr. Hincks then added that ‘the district was indeed fortunate that only one name appeared on the Memorial out of a total of 67 men and women who had left the district for service in the various forces. The address by Mr Hincks was most inspiring and impressive. The President then asked Mrs. Thomas to unveil the Memorial, which was covered with flags.’ Jim then thanked the Memorial Committee for erecting such an appropriate memorial and also the local families for donating to the cost.

By early ’54, Jim decided to sell his Pt Julia farm and move to a property at Tiparra. His community immediately organised a farewell social for him in February. Similarly, the football club organised an evening to farewell their long serving member of the club, extending the best wishes for every happiness in their new homes. Mr. George Short spoke behalf of the Port Julia people and presented Mr, and Mrs. Travis with a silver dish in appreciation of their work for the Cranbrook School and Port Julia Progress Association.
Kathleen was just 46 when she died on the 22nd September ’64 and was buried at Centennial Park Cemetery. Just prior to his 87th birthday, Jim died on the 14th March 2003.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.