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Howard was descended from a family very proud of their service during the War to End All Wars, WWI. His father, John Fullarton, known throughout his life as Jack, was one of eleven children and was born at Bendelby in the Flinders Ranges and later lived at Hummock’s Hill (now Whyalla). Of those eleven siblings, three of the sons served I WWI.
Two of the brothers, 19-year-old Jack and 18-year-old Howard enlisted almost immediately in July 1916. They were allocated to the 48th Battalion and spent the war years in France, with occasional time back in England. Howard was twice wounded, to his right shoulder and then his left knee. Both brothers were on the receiving end of punishments for behavioural offences, for which they were also heavily fined. Jack survived the war but his brother, 20-year-old Howard died in horrific circumstances three days after the signing of the Armistice. He was hit and killed by a loaded train in a shocking accident. Younger brother, Phillip enlisted days after his 19th birthday in September 1918 and was allocated to B Company. However, with the cessation of hostilities, he was discharged just prior to Christmas that year and did not serve overseas.
Jack finally returned home in September 1919, He marrying Mary-Ann (Doris) Hanton on the 3rd November 1920 at the Kadina Methodist Church in Victoria Square. Jack’s young sister was one of Doris’ bridesmaids and Jack chose his brother, Phillip as his Best Man. Jack’s groomsman was a fellow soldier from the 48th Battalion. Their reception was held at Doris’ family home that was also decorated in the colours of the 48th Battalion. The newlyweds made their future home at Cherrywood Farm, Cleve.
They were to have two sons. Their first, born on the 20th April ’22 in Cleve was named Howard Ronald, in honour of Jack’s brother who died at the end of WWI. Robert John Benjamin, their second son, was born in 1927. Jack and Mary-Ann Crabb announced his arrival in the Eyre Peninsula Tribune in May 1922. BIRTH. CRABB.—On the 20th April, at Mrs Gillings' Nursing Home, Cleve, to Mr and Mrs J. F. Crabb, Cherrywood—a son (Howard Ronald).’
Howard attended the local school at Budall, showing an aptitude for art, winning an award for his pastel drawing in Grade V in a competition between students from Broadview Yaninee and Port Lincoln.
In May ’34, Howard’s uncle (Roy Crabb) left Rudall to live with Jack and Doris at Waterloo near Auburn. However, WWII intervened by the end of that decade. Howard’s father, 43-year-old Jack immediately enlisted on the 29th September ’39 in Whyalla and was soon stationed at Port Darwin. as S212302, serving with the 4th Garrison Battalion. His five younger brothers followed suit with 25-year-old Roy Maxwell enlisting on the 20th October ’39 as SX154 in the 2/10th Battalion. Claiming to be 34-year-old, Phillip Stapleton Crabb enlisting in April ’40 as SX2573 in the 2/9th Battalion. He had ‘adjusted’ his date of birth from 1899 to 1905 to be under the maximum age barrier . 35-year-old Benjamin Richard Crabb was next to enlist as SX10504 in Signals on the 2nd December ’40. 24 year old Douglas Mervyn Crabb enlisted on the 21st March ’41 as SX11876 in the 2/6th Field Ambulance and 39 year old Arthur Frederick in May ’42 as S70921 in A Company 5th Battalion. He was discharged the following year in December.
At that stage, 18-year-old Howard was working as a labourer in Whyalla. However he also enlisted at Cowell, on the 13 July1940 following in his father’s footsteps and also honouring his uncle after whom he was named.
Howard was allocated the number SX8810. Both his first name ‘Howard’ and place of birth, ‘Cleve’, were mis-spelt as ‘Havard’ and ‘Clive’. He was placed in the newly formed 2/48th Battalion and spent his early days at Wayville, now known as the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds. He had claimed to be 21 at this time, a fact that was never officially recognised in his enlistment papers or corrected by his family throughout his service as they supported his involvement. He quite quickly became known as ‘Digger’. His younger brother, 19-year-old Robert also enlisted in April ’47 as SX500675.
The local Eyre’s Peninsula Tribune announced both enlistments in the June ’40 newspaper. ‘Mr John Fullarton Crabb, an ex-member ot the old A.I.F. has re-joined the second A.I.F. and is now a sergeant stationed at Port Darwin. Howard; Ronald Crabb, son of Segt.- Crabb and a grandson of Mr and Mrs B. R. Crabb, of Rudall, is now with the R.A.A.F at Port Pirie.’
Following leave, Howard embarked on the Stratheden on the 7th November and arrived in the Middle East on the 17th December ’40. Soon after, he began Signals training, becoming a Group II Signaller in July ’41 and continued to attend Signals School the following year, gaining excellent results for his achievements, before rejoining his battalion.
At the time of his studies, Howard’s 28-year-old uncle, Roy Crabb, serving with the 2/10th was accidentally killed on the 23rd July ’41 in an horrific accident. Roy had attempted to clean a live enemy shell and render it harmless by removing the detonator and charge, thus retaining the shell casing as a souvenir. Tragically, the shell had exploded, fatally piercing Roy’s chest. He was buried in the Tobruk War cemetery. The Port Lincoln Times in August also shared that “Driver Roy Crabb was accidentally killed during the course of his military duties on July 23. He was a noted horseman and was a son of Mr. and Mrs. B. R. Crabb, of Rudall. Three brothers are also on active service, and a nephew.”
This announcement was followed up in July ’42 with an extensive coverage of the involvement of the Crabb family with their service over the two World Wars. This was published in the Eyre’s Peninsula Tribune of July ’42.
‘A VERY FINE WAR RECORD. 1 We wish to pay a tribute to the fine war record of a former Clare lady and her husband (Mr and Mrs B. R. Crabb, of Rudall. West Coast), who has five sons, one grand-son and one son-in law, all in the A I.F with the exception of one son — Roy Crabb — killed in action on service abroad. Three sons served in World War No. 1 and Private Howard Crabb made the supreme sacrifice in England. Mrs. Crabb is the only daughter of the late Mr John Fullarton, of Clare, a life-long employee from the early days as a compositor at the "Northern Argus" office, who lived in Donnybrook nearly all his life with his sister, the late Mrs Maynard. Mrs Crabb had 11 children, and last week visited Clare for a few days with her youngest daughter—Miss Rhonda Crabb, and stayed with her cousin, Mrs W. H. Bond of Donnybrook- It is interesting to recall that Mrs Crabb is a granddaughter of the late John E Maynard the first pioneer to come to Clare and live on the Inchiquin Flats exactly 100 years ago. A total of 19 great-grand- sons and 2 great-grand daughters of John Maynard served in both the last war and now in this conflict (5 in World War No i and 16 in this. Two have served in both and two have made the supreme sacrifice.) These are records of which any family in Australia might well be proud, and Mr and Mrs Crabb, from their own family have made a valuable and generous contribution to the welfare of their native country.’
Like his father and uncles, Howard also wrote home, with his letters being shared through the local Eyre’s Peninsula Tribune. One to his aunt appeared in July ’41, telling of the dust, rats and fleas.
“Mrs J Forgie, of Kilroo, received the following letter from her nephew, Pte ' Digger" Crabb. He mentions his uncle (Jack’s younger brother) Roy Maxwell, who also enlisted : — "As the letter that I have been expecting from you for a long while now hasn't turned up, I thought I would drop .you a few lines to find out if you have gone to sleep on the job or if your letter has gone astray. I am still in this dusty place they call Libya and it is still as dusty as ever I think we have averaged three or four dust storms a week ever since we have been here. I can often imagine myself leaning on the bar of the Cleve pub, when one of these hot dust storms is blowing the froth off a nice big pint of beer. Beer is a thing we often hear about, but seldom see. I doubt if I have drank two bottles of beer since we have been here in the desert. I bet I make up for it when I get back in civilisation and get a bit of leave. Talking about leave, I have not had any since we left Palestine, I hardly know what the word means nowadays. The only living creature around these parts are rats and fleas and think there are any of them, they are a bigger nuisance than the Huns. The rats have races round and round the top of your dugout and every step they take, in comes showers of dirt, you can imagine for yourself where the fleas race. I went over and saw Roy the other day, he looks well enough and he is as happy as can be expected under the circumstances. He reckons he will be finished with travelling after the war, he says he is going to get married and is not going to move out of his back yard. Reg came over to see me one day, but as luck would have it I was away at a Sig school and missed seeing him, I may run in to him any day though. Phil is also around these parts somewhere so I ought to run into him too. Gee there is a lot enlisting from over around home. I reckon there would be a bit of fun over there now. I bet there will be twice as much though when the lads get home, especially this wild mob of Crabbs that are over here. At present two other signallers and myself are attached to 'A' Company, I am therefore attached to my old Coy, and with my old cobbers."
By October ’42 Howard had rejoined the 2/48th Battalion and had just been with them for a fortnight when he was wounded in the fierce fighting that ensued at the end of that month and continued into November. He sustained a penetrating wound in both his ankle and shoulder.
The 2/48th Battalion were exposed to ever-changing conditions and the fighting continuous. The men had prepared for the second battle of El Alamein which began on October 23rd. That month, Mongomery 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.’ He added ‘At last light on the same front some three hundred enemy troops attacked, and D Company area was swept by small arms fire.’
Back home the November issue of the Chronicle carried an extensive list of the cost to the soldiers involved in Howard’s battalion. SX11130 Pte. Ernest W S. Moore from Nth. Kensington and SX13756 Pte. Edward G. Davis, from Salisbury were killed in action. SX8096 A-Cpl. Henry D. Laughton, from King's Park was listed as Dangerously Wounded. Many others were listed as wounded in action including SX10316 Mjr. Geoffrey S. Edmunds, Toorak; SX9064 Lt. Hugh F. Treloar, Adelaide; SX8402 Pte. Arnold R. Dolan, Renmark; SX6910 Pte. Hoard Major, Woodville; SX6832 Pte. Walter J. Fennell, Berri; SX13701 Pte. Frank M. Lowe, Whyalla; SX7609 Pte. Colin H. Rickard, Penola; SX7411 Pte. Walter H. J. Hay, Murray Bridge; SX7122 Pte. Percival G. Bartholomew, Narrung; SX11828 Pte. Roy H. Winter, Thebarton; SX7242 Pte. P. A. Pfeiffer, Berri; SX7130 Pte. Eric A. Goold, Salisbury; SX6829 L-Cpl. Clement R. P. Billing, Pinnaroo; SX10501 Pte. Hedley K. Bonython, Burnside; SX7591 Cpl. Jack S. Bowers, Unley; SX7666 Pte. Eric J. Chuck, Kalangadoo; SX8810 Pte. Havard (Howard) R. Crabb, Whyalla; SX13683 Pte. Sydney L. Farrell Broken Hill: SX7657 Pte. Myers A. Geraghy, Pt . Macdonnell; SX7266 Sgt. Neil Gilchrist, Balaklava; SX9376 Pte. Harold H. Gogel, Moorook; SX11131 Pte. H. N. Headon, Adelaide; SX7642 Pte Donald J. Kerin, Burra; SX8837 Pte. Edgar V. W. Lynch, Adelaide; SX9445 Pte. Lawerence H. Mickan, Cummins; SX7025 A-L/Cpl. Paul B. Morrissey King's Park; SX9530 Pte. David R. Munn, Colonel Light Gardens: SX5030 Pte. Eric R. Olds, Adelaide; SX8239 Pte. Colin R. Parsons, Minlaton; SX8904 Pte. Keith Player, Warooka; SX6915 Cpl. Glyn H. Pope, Cheltenham; SX13012 Pte. Jack Ralla, Brompton; SX7410 Cpl. Robert F. G. Ranford, Davington; SX14283 Pte. John D Seebohm, Tantanoola; SX11302 Pte. Walter Sharp, Magill; SX7206 Pte. Ronald. C. Smith, Helmsdale; SX6894 Pte. Thomas V. Trish, Mile End; SX7221 Pte. William H. Vivian, Albert Park; SX7689 Pte. John E. Wakeman, Robe; SX11160 Pte. Samuel E. Welsh, Adelaide and SX7808 Sgt, Jack K. Weston, Appila.
By November ’42 the Advertiser shared that ‘Mr. and Mrs. Jack F. Crabb, of Power street, Adelaide, formerly of West Coast and Whyalla, have been advised that their son, Sig. H. R, Crabb, has been wounded in action In Egypt. Sig. Crabb served in Tobruk, Syria and Egypt. His father, Dvr. J. F. Crabb. served in the last war; also in Malaya and Singapore in this war.’
After a fortnight of treatment, Howard returned to his battalion. Fortuitously, they were to return to Australia via Melbourne for well-earned leave. On the return to visit family at home, the local paper was delighted to report the return of their local soldiers, many of whom proudly bore the title Rats of Tobruk. The April edition mentioned that ‘Pte H, Crabb has returned from overseas. He is the eldest son of Mr Jack Crabb, well-known in the district. He has also seen service in Tobruk.’
Training in Queensland followed with the men preparing for the tropical conditions they would experience in New Guinea. Just two months later Howard contracted Pyroxia of an Unknown Origin as well as dengue fever in April ’43. This had just cleared when he developed an upper respiratory tract infection. Barely back with his battalion he then chose to have costly ‘time out’ going AWOL and forfeiting a precious day’s pay.
By August ’43 he was on his way from Cairns, arriving in Milne Bay. His PUO and dengue fever returned, with malaria also in January ’44 seeing him return to Australia via Brisbane. He returned to South Australia in March ’44, and was afforded a welcome home evening in the local Hall. Whilst officialdom was unaware of his age, the locals were very aware and openly acknowledged both his young age and his extensive service. ‘people adjourned to the hall to honour the return of Pte H. (Digger) Crabb. Pte Crabb, who is only 22 years of age, has seen four years of active service both in the Middle East (Tobruk) and New Guinea respectively.’ Dancing was interspersed with welcoming Howard and fellow soldiers Ptes W Bishop SX12845 of the 2/43rd and SX8790 Reginald Brandon M,M, of the 2/10th. Don Thompson (recently discharged from the A.I,F SX8907 was also amongst the guests. Presentations were made to the young men and Howard was presented with a pair of knitted socks. Both he and Don responded.
Malaria continued to affect Howard’s health until he was finally able to re-join the 2/48th Battalion at the end of June. Perhaps not unexpectedly, 22 years old Howard, still not fully recovered from the tropical diseases and with years of warfare behind him, lashed out. He went Absent Without Leave, was drunk and inevitably confined to barracks for a long 14 days in September. Repeat incidents followed the following year in both January and February, including offering to ‘take on’ a superior officer, officially ‘conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline’ plus more absences without leave. This was a financial blow of a total of 48 days’ pay, a very sobering penalty.
By April Howard left Townsville for Morotai and thence to Tarakan, for the closing days of the war, despite not being in full health. However, at the lowering of the flag to mark the end of the most famous and most decorated battalion in the AIF, the 2/48th Battalion, Howard was chosen for the retiring of the battalion’s flag. He was the longest serving (and surviving) soldier. John Glenn, in Tobruk to Tarakan described the ceremony.
‘The members of the unit were drawn up to form three sides of a hollow square. A guard of thirty men, commanded by Lieutenant M Steele, mounted for the ceremony, was inspected by Major Maxwell-Wright, the officer administering command, and the Order of the Day was read. The guard came to the “Present” and with every man standing fast, the “Retreat” was sounded, and the 2/48th Battalion Flag was slowly lowered by an old original, Private Crabb, and then passed to Sergeant Whait, to be later handed by him to the 2/48th Welfare Association in Adelaide.”
Howard’s war was coming to an end as he left Morotai for Adelaide at the start of 1946.
Back home, local communities were compiling comprehensive lists of their young men who had enlisted. Those from Arno Bay included four from the Crabb family; Roy Rudall Crabb, Phillip Rudall Crabb, John ‘Jack’ Fullarton Crabb and Howard Ronald Crabb. By April ’44 as a mark of respect to the family, Mrs Crabb was given the honour of unveiling the Rudall Honour Roll containing the names of all Rudall boys in the fighting services. Much was made of the fact that the names of five of Mrs Crabb's sons, one grandson, and a son-in-law appeared on this Roll.
The first of the extended family to be discharged was Howard’s uncle, Arthur Frederick in ’43, followed by Benjamin Richard in ’44 and Phillip Stapleton in ’45. Howard was discharged on the 26th February ’46 and his uncle Douglas Crabb the preceding day. (Howard’s father had been discharged five years earlier, on the 7th March ’41.) Howard was days away from turning 24 years old (although his discharge papers still processed him as being 26 and over-written in red his correct age of 22 years.)
Howard married Crystal Isobel Mary Allen in 1949 with the young couple arriving on Kangaroo Island in the late 1950’s as part of the Soldiers’ Settler Scheme where they established at Parndana, taking up land at Section 77 in the Hundred of Newland .The young couple had two boys, Benjamin, and John and Crystal’s daughter, Isabel.
Howard’s uncle, Douglas Crabb who served in the 2/9th Field Ambulance, also took up land on Kangaroo Island.
Howard’s father died on the 1st July 1963 in Whyalla. The Port Lincoln Times paid tribute to him in a lengthy Obituary.
‘ A former Yadnarie farmer who served overseas in two World Wars, died at Whyalla on July 1. He was John Fullerton Crabb, late 48 Bat. 1st ATP and 4th MT and AIF, who was the eldest son of the late Mr .and Mrs. Ben Crabb, formerly of Bendelly .(where he was born), Kadina, Cowell and Cleve districts. Known as Jack, he started his school days at Cleve and later went to Boar's Plain, Kadina. He enlisted in the First World War with his younger brother Howard, who was killed on November 13, 1918. Both were in the 48th Bat. Jack had his 19th birthday on the boat going overseas. He saw fighting in France and after the war volunteered for Wax Graves work in France. He returned home late in 1919. In 1920 Mr. Crabb married Mary Ann (Dorry) Hanton, of Kadina. They went farming in the Hd. Yadnarie for some years and later went to live in Adelaide. Their two sons, Digger and Bob, were both soldiers in the 2nd AIF. Digger went overseas with the 2nd 48 Bat. In 1941, Jack Crabb again enlisted and served in Malaya, but was returned home owing to ill health just before Malaya fell in 1943. Four of Jack's brother's were on active service in the 2nd AIF, Roy being killed at Tobruk in 1941. Jack had a very friendly nature and was loved by his many relatives and friends. He was 66 years of age. His wife Dorry and two sons survive him.’
Just three years later, aged 44 Howard died on the 9th May 1966 on Kangaroo Island. He was buried in the Kingscote Cemetery in Plot 414. His death was announced in the Port Lincoln Times in June that year.
“CRABB — On May 9, Howard (Digger), late 48th Bat. 2nd A.I.F., beloved husband of Crystal Isobel Crabb, of Parndana, K.I., loving father of Benjamin and John, step-father of Isobel. Aged 44 years.’
Crystal lived to be 59 and died on the 1st May ’78. She is buried alongside Howard, in Plot 413
Howard’s mother Mary Ann lived to be 95 and died in September ’94. She was then buried in the Enfield Memorial Park.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.

Howard was descended from a family very proud of their service during the War to End All Wars, WWI. His father, John Fullarton, known throughout his life as Jack, was one of eleven children and was born at Bendelby in the Flinders Ranges and later lived at Hummock’s Hill (now Whyalla). Of those eleven siblings, three of the sons served I WWI.
Two of the brothers, 19-year-old Jack and 18-year-old Howard enlisted almost immediately in July 1916. They were allocated to the 48th Battalion and spent the war years in France, with occasional time back in England. Howard was twice wounded, to his right shoulder and then his left knee. Both brothers were on the receiving end of punishments for behavioural offences, for which they were also heavily fined. Jack survived the war but his brother, 20-year-old Howard died in horrific circumstances three days after the signing of the Armistice. He was hit and killed by a loaded train in a shocking accident. Younger brother, Phillip enlisted days after his 19th birthday in September 1918 and was allocated to B Company. However, with the cessation of hostilities, he was discharged just prior to Christmas that year and did not serve overseas.
Jack finally returned home in September 1919, He marrying Mary-Ann (Doris) Hanton on the 3rd November 1920 at the Kadina Methodist Church in Victoria Square. Jack’s young sister was one of Doris’ bridesmaids and Jack chose his brother, Phillip as his Best Man. Jack’s groomsman was a fellow soldier from the 48th Battalion. Their reception was held at Doris’ family home that was also decorated in the colours of the 48th Battalion. The newlyweds made their future home at Cherrywood Farm, Cleve.
They were to have two sons. Their first, born on the 20th April ’22 in Cleve was named Howard Ronald, in honour of Jack’s brother who died at the end of WWI. Robert John Benjamin, their second son, was born in 1927. Jack and Mary-Ann Crabb announced his arrival in the Eyre Peninsula Tribune in May 1922. BIRTH. CRABB.—On the 20th April, at Mrs Gillings' Nursing Home, Cleve, to Mr and Mrs J. F. Crabb, Cherrywood—a son (Howard Ronald).’
Howard attended the local school at Budall, showing an aptitude for art, winning an award for his pastel drawing in Grade V in a competition between students from Broadview Yaninee and Port Lincoln.
In May ’34, Howard’s uncle (Roy Crabb) left Rudall to live with Jack and Doris at Waterloo near Auburn. However, WWII intervened by the end of that decade. Howard’s father, 43-year-old Jack immediately enlisted on the 29th September ’39 in Whyalla and was soon stationed at Port Darwin. as S212302, serving with the 4th Garrison Battalion. His five younger brothers followed suit with 25-year-old Roy Maxwell enlisting on the 20th October ’39 as SX154 in the 2/10th Battalion. Claiming to be 34-year-old, Phillip Stapleton Crabb enlisting in April ’40 as SX2573 in the 2/9th Battalion. He had ‘adjusted’ his date of birth from 1899 to 1905 to be under the maximum age barrier . 35-year-old Benjamin Richard Crabb was next to enlist as SX10504 in Signals on the 2nd December ’40. 24 year old Douglas Mervyn Crabb enlisted on the 21st March ’41 as SX11876 in the 2/6th Field Ambulance and 39 year old Arthur Frederick in May ’42 as S70921 in A Company 5th Battalion. He was discharged the following year in December.
At that stage, 18-year-old Howard was working as a labourer in Whyalla. However he also enlisted at Cowell, on the 13 July1940 following in his father’s footsteps and also honouring his uncle after whom he was named.
Howard was allocated the number SX8810. Both his first name ‘Howard’ and place of birth, ‘Cleve’, were mis-spelt as ‘Havard’ and ‘Clive’. He was placed in the newly formed 2/48th Battalion and spent his early days at Wayville, now known as the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds. He had claimed to be 21 at this time, a fact that was never officially recognised in his enlistment papers or corrected by his family throughout his service as they supported his involvement. He quite quickly became known as ‘Digger’. His younger brother, 19-year-old Robert also enlisted in April ’47 as SX500675.
The local Eyre’s Peninsula Tribune announced both enlistments in the June ’40 newspaper. ‘Mr John Fullarton Crabb, an ex-member ot the old A.I.F. has re-joined the second A.I.F. and is now a sergeant stationed at Port Darwin. Howard; Ronald Crabb, son of Segt.- Crabb and a grandson of Mr and Mrs B. R. Crabb, of Rudall, is now with the R.A.A.F at Port Pirie.’
Following leave, Howard embarked on the Stratheden on the 7th November and arrived in the Middle East on the 17th December ’40. Soon after, he began Signals training, becoming a Group II Signaller in July ’41 and continued to attend Signals School the following year, gaining excellent results for his achievements, before rejoining his battalion.
At the time of his studies, Howard’s 28-year-old uncle, Roy Crabb, serving with the 2/10th was accidentally killed on the 23rd July ’41 in an horrific accident. Roy had attempted to clean a live enemy shell and render it harmless by removing the detonator and charge, thus retaining the shell casing as a souvenir. Tragically, the shell had exploded, fatally piercing Roy’s chest. He was buried in the Tobruk War cemetery. The Port Lincoln Times in August also shared that “Driver Roy Crabb was accidentally killed during the course of his military duties on July 23. He was a noted horseman and was a son of Mr. and Mrs. B. R. Crabb, of Rudall. Three brothers are also on active service, and a nephew.”
This announcement was followed up in July ’42 with an extensive coverage of the involvement of the Crabb family with their service over the two World Wars. This was published in the Eyre’s Peninsula Tribune of July ’42.
‘A VERY FINE WAR RECORD. 1 We wish to pay a tribute to the fine war record of a former Clare lady and her husband (Mr and Mrs B. R. Crabb, of Rudall. West Coast), who has five sons, one grand-son and one son-in law, all in the A I.F with the exception of one son — Roy Crabb — killed in action on service abroad. Three sons served in World War No. 1 and Private Howard Crabb made the supreme sacrifice in England. Mrs. Crabb is the only daughter of the late Mr John Fullarton, of Clare, a life-long employee from the early days as a compositor at the "Northern Argus" office, who lived in Donnybrook nearly all his life with his sister, the late Mrs Maynard. Mrs Crabb had 11 children, and last week visited Clare for a few days with her youngest daughter—Miss Rhonda Crabb, and stayed with her cousin, Mrs W. H. Bond of Donnybrook- It is interesting to recall that Mrs Crabb is a granddaughter of the late John E Maynard the first pioneer to come to Clare and live on the Inchiquin Flats exactly 100 years ago. A total of 19 great-grand- sons and 2 great-grand daughters of John Maynard served in both the last war and now in this conflict (5 in World War No i and 16 in this. Two have served in both and two have made the supreme sacrifice.) These are records of which any family in Australia might well be proud, and Mr and Mrs Crabb, from their own family have made a valuable and generous contribution to the welfare of their native country.’
Like his father and uncles, Howard also wrote home, with his letters being shared through the local Eyre’s Peninsula Tribune. One to his aunt appeared in July ’41, telling of the dust, rats and fleas.
“Mrs J Forgie, of Kilroo, received the following letter from her nephew, Pte ' Digger" Crabb. He mentions his uncle (Jack’s younger brother) Roy Maxwell, who also enlisted : — "As the letter that I have been expecting from you for a long while now hasn't turned up, I thought I would drop .you a few lines to find out if you have gone to sleep on the job or if your letter has gone astray. I am still in this dusty place they call Libya and it is still as dusty as ever I think we have averaged three or four dust storms a week ever since we have been here. I can often imagine myself leaning on the bar of the Cleve pub, when one of these hot dust storms is blowing the froth off a nice big pint of beer. Beer is a thing we often hear about, but seldom see. I doubt if I have drank two bottles of beer since we have been here in the desert. I bet I make up for it when I get back in civilisation and get a bit of leave. Talking about leave, I have not had any since we left Palestine, I hardly know what the word means nowadays. The only living creature around these parts are rats and fleas and think there are any of them, they are a bigger nuisance than the Huns. The rats have races round and round the top of your dugout and every step they take, in comes showers of dirt, you can imagine for yourself where the fleas race. I went over and saw Roy the other day, he looks well enough and he is as happy as can be expected under the circumstances. He reckons he will be finished with travelling after the war, he says he is going to get married and is not going to move out of his back yard. Reg came over to see me one day, but as luck would have it I was away at a Sig school and missed seeing him, I may run in to him any day though. Phil is also around these parts somewhere so I ought to run into him too. Gee there is a lot enlisting from over around home. I reckon there would be a bit of fun over there now. I bet there will be twice as much though when the lads get home, especially this wild mob of Crabbs that are over here. At present two other signallers and myself are attached to 'A' Company, I am therefore attached to my old Coy, and with my old cobbers."
By October ’42 Howard had rejoined the 2/48th Battalion and had just been with them for a fortnight when he was wounded in the fierce fighting that ensued at the end of that month and continued into November. He sustained a penetrating wound in both his ankle and shoulder.
The 2/48th Battalion were exposed to ever-changing conditions and the fighting continuous. The men had prepared for the second battle of El Alamein which began on October 23rd. That month, Mongomery 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.’ He added ‘At last light on the same front some three hundred enemy troops attacked, and D Company area was swept by small arms fire.’
Back home the November issue of the Chronicle carried an extensive list of the cost to the soldiers involved in Howard’s battalion. SX11130 Pte. Ernest W S. Moore from Nth. Kensington and SX13756 Pte. Edward G. Davis, from Salisbury were killed in action. SX8096 A-Cpl. Henry D. Laughton, from King's Park was listed as Dangerously Wounded. Many others were listed as wounded in action including SX10316 Mjr. Geoffrey S. Edmunds, Toorak; SX9064 Lt. Hugh F. Treloar, Adelaide; SX8402 Pte. Arnold R. Dolan, Renmark; SX6910 Pte. Hoard Major, Woodville; SX6832 Pte. Walter J. Fennell, Berri; SX13701 Pte. Frank M. Lowe, Whyalla; SX7609 Pte. Colin H. Rickard, Penola; SX7411 Pte. Walter H. J. Hay, Murray Bridge; SX7122 Pte. Percival G. Bartholomew, Narrung; SX11828 Pte. Roy H. Winter, Thebarton; SX7242 Pte. P. A. Pfeiffer, Berri; SX7130 Pte. Eric A. Goold, Salisbury; SX6829 L-Cpl. Clement R. P. Billing, Pinnaroo; SX10501 Pte. Hedley K. Bonython, Burnside; SX7591 Cpl. Jack S. Bowers, Unley; SX7666 Pte. Eric J. Chuck, Kalangadoo; SX8810 Pte. Havard (Howard) R. Crabb, Whyalla; SX13683 Pte. Sydney L. Farrell Broken Hill: SX7657 Pte. Myers A. Geraghy, Pt . Macdonnell; SX7266 Sgt. Neil Gilchrist, Balaklava; SX9376 Pte. Harold H. Gogel, Moorook; SX11131 Pte. H. N. Headon, Adelaide; SX7642 Pte Donald J. Kerin, Burra; SX8837 Pte. Edgar V. W. Lynch, Adelaide; SX9445 Pte. Lawerence H. Mickan, Cummins; SX7025 A-L/Cpl. Paul B. Morrissey King's Park; SX9530 Pte. David R. Munn, Colonel Light Gardens: SX5030 Pte. Eric R. Olds, Adelaide; SX8239 Pte. Colin R. Parsons, Minlaton; SX8904 Pte. Keith Player, Warooka; SX6915 Cpl. Glyn H. Pope, Cheltenham; SX13012 Pte. Jack Ralla, Brompton; SX7410 Cpl. Robert F. G. Ranford, Davington; SX14283 Pte. John D Seebohm, Tantanoola; SX11302 Pte. Walter Sharp, Magill; SX7206 Pte. Ronald. C. Smith, Helmsdale; SX6894 Pte. Thomas V. Trish, Mile End; SX7221 Pte. William H. Vivian, Albert Park; SX7689 Pte. John E. Wakeman, Robe; SX11160 Pte. Samuel E. Welsh, Adelaide and SX7808 Sgt, Jack K. Weston, Appila.
By November ’42 the Advertiser shared that ‘Mr. and Mrs. Jack F. Crabb, of Power street, Adelaide, formerly of West Coast and Whyalla, have been advised that their son, Sig. H. R, Crabb, has been wounded in action In Egypt. Sig. Crabb served in Tobruk, Syria and Egypt. His father, Dvr. J. F. Crabb. served in the last war; also in Malaya and Singapore in this war.’
After a fortnight of treatment, Howard returned to his battalion. Fortuitously, they were to return to Australia via Melbourne for well-earned leave. On the return to visit family at home, the local paper was delighted to report the return of their local soldiers, many of whom proudly bore the title Rats of Tobruk. The April edition mentioned that ‘Pte H, Crabb has returned from overseas. He is the eldest son of Mr Jack Crabb, well-known in the district. He has also seen service in Tobruk.’
Training in Queensland followed with the men preparing for the tropical conditions they would experience in New Guinea. Just two months later Howard contracted Pyroxia of an Unknown Origin as well as dengue fever in April ’43. This had just cleared when he developed an upper respiratory tract infection. Barely back with his battalion he then chose to have costly ‘time out’ going AWOL and forfeiting a precious day’s pay.
By August ’43 he was on his way from Cairns, arriving in Milne Bay. His PUO and dengue fever returned, with malaria also in January ’44 seeing him return to Australia via Brisbane. He returned to South Australia in March ’44, and was afforded a welcome home evening in the local Hall. Whilst officialdom was unaware of his age, the locals were very aware and openly acknowledged both his young age and his extensive service. ‘people adjourned to the hall to honour the return of Pte H. (Digger) Crabb. Pte Crabb, who is only 22 years of age, has seen four years of active service both in the Middle East (Tobruk) and New Guinea respectively.’ Dancing was interspersed with welcoming Howard and fellow soldiers Ptes W Bishop SX12845 of the 2/43rd and SX8790 Reginald Brandon M,M, of the 2/10th. Don Thompson (recently discharged from the A.I,F SX8907 was also amongst the guests. Presentations were made to the young men and Howard was presented with a pair of knitted socks. Both he and Don responded.
Malaria continued to affect Howard’s health until he was finally able to re-join the 2/48th Battalion at the end of June. Perhaps not unexpectedly, 22 years old Howard, still not fully recovered from the tropical diseases and with years of warfare behind him, lashed out. He went Absent Without Leave, was drunk and inevitably confined to barracks for a long 14 days in September. Repeat incidents followed the following year in both January and February, including offering to ‘take on’ a superior officer, officially ‘conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline’ plus more absences without leave. This was a financial blow of a total of 48 days’ pay, a very sobering penalty.
By April Howard left Townsville for Morotai and thence to Tarakan, for the closing days of the war, despite not being in full health. However, at the lowering of the flag to mark the end of the most famous and most decorated battalion in the AIF, the 2/48th Battalion, Howard was chosen for the retiring of the battalion’s flag. He was the longest serving (and surviving) soldier. John Glenn, in Tobruk to Tarakan described the ceremony.
‘The members of the unit were drawn up to form three sides of a hollow square. A guard of thirty men, commanded by Lieutenant M Steele, mounted for the ceremony, was inspected by Major Maxwell-Wright, the officer administering command, and the Order of the Day was read. The guard came to the “Present” and with every man standing fast, the “Retreat” was sounded, and the 2/48th Battalion Flag was slowly lowered by an old original, Private Crabb, and then passed to Sergeant Whait, to be later handed by him to the 2/48th Welfare Association in Adelaide.”
Howard’s war was coming to an end as he left Morotai for Adelaide at the start of 1946.
Back home, local communities were compiling comprehensive lists of their young men who had enlisted. Those from Arno Bay included four from the Crabb family; Roy Rudall Crabb, Phillip Rudall Crabb, John ‘Jack’ Fullarton Crabb and Howard Ronald Crabb. By April ’44 as a mark of respect to the family, Mrs Crabb was given the honour of unveiling the Rudall Honour Roll containing the names of all Rudall boys in the fighting services. Much was made of the fact that the names of five of Mrs Crabb's sons, one grandson, and a son-in-law appeared on this Roll.
The first of the extended family to be discharged was Howard’s uncle, Arthur Frederick in ’43, followed by Benjamin Richard in ’44 and Phillip Stapleton in ’45. Howard was discharged on the 26th February ’46 and his uncle Douglas Crabb the preceding day. (Howard’s father had been discharged five years earlier, on the 7th March ’41.) Howard was days away from turning 24 years old (although his discharge papers still processed him as being 26 and over-written in red his correct age of 22 years.)
Howard married Crystal Isobel Mary Allen in 1949 with the young couple arriving on Kangaroo Island in the late 1950’s as part of the Soldiers’ Settler Scheme where they established at Parndana, taking up land at Section 77 in the Hundred of Newland .The young couple had two boys, Benjamin, and John and Crystal’s daughter, Isabel.
Howard’s uncle, Douglas Crabb who served in the 2/9th Field Ambulance, also took up land on Kangaroo Island.
Howard’s father died on the 1st July 1963 in Whyalla. The Port Lincoln Times paid tribute to him in a lengthy Obituary.
‘ A former Yadnarie farmer who served overseas in two World Wars, died at Whyalla on July 1. He was John Fullerton Crabb, late 48 Bat. 1st ATP and 4th MT and AIF, who was the eldest son of the late Mr .and Mrs. Ben Crabb, formerly of Bendelly .(where he was born), Kadina, Cowell and Cleve districts. Known as Jack, he started his school days at Cleve and later went to Boar's Plain, Kadina. He enlisted in the First World War with his younger brother Howard, who was killed on November 13, 1918. Both were in the 48th Bat. Jack had his 19th birthday on the boat going overseas. He saw fighting in France and after the war volunteered for Wax Graves work in France. He returned home late in 1919. In 1920 Mr. Crabb married Mary Ann (Dorry) Hanton, of Kadina. They went farming in the Hd. Yadnarie for some years and later went to live in Adelaide. Their two sons, Digger and Bob, were both soldiers in the 2nd AIF. Digger went overseas with the 2nd 48 Bat. In 1941, Jack Crabb again enlisted and served in Malaya, but was returned home owing to ill health just before Malaya fell in 1943. Four of Jack's brother's were on active service in the 2nd AIF, Roy being killed at Tobruk in 1941. Jack had a very friendly nature and was loved by his many relatives and friends. He was 66 years of age. His wife Dorry and two sons survive him.’
Just three years later, aged 44 Howard died on the 9th May 1966 on Kangaroo Island. He was buried in the Kingscote Cemetery in Plot 414. His death was announced in the Port Lincoln Times in June that year.
“CRABB — On May 9, Howard (Digger), late 48th Bat. 2nd A.I.F., beloved husband of Crystal Isobel Crabb, of Parndana, K.I., loving father of Benjamin and John, step-father of Isobel. Aged 44 years.’
Crystal lived to be 59 and died on the 1st May ’78. She is buried alongside Howard, in Plot 413
Howard’s mother Mary Ann lived to be 95 and died in September ’94. She was then buried in the Enfield Memorial Park.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.