Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Dean was born in Yorketown on the 10th October 1919 and in the early days lived in Warooka on the Yorke Peninsula, a region known for its wheat and sheep farming as well as its proximity to the sea. As a youngster, he was part of the very popular Scout Movement started by Lord Baden Powell. Its aim was to teach essential skills including map making, scouting and reconnaissance, which appealed to young men, especially post WWI. An event always particularly highly was an annual Jamboree where Scouts from all parts of Australia could meet and share adventures. Dean was fortunate to attend in December ’34 and was featured in the Advertiser with a fellow Scout, Morgan Yeatman, who was significantly taller than Dean. (Morgan also served in WWII in the Navy, while his older brother John rose to become a Captain who served in the Western Desert where Dean was to also serve.)
From Scouts it was almost inevitable that Dean became part of the Militia, then with the outbreak of WWII he enlisted on July 10th 1940 aged 21. At that point he was farming. Initial training was done at Keswick and the Adelaide Showgrounds where Dean was given the number SX8516 and was eventually allocated to the 2/48th Battalion. Within a week two other locals from Warooka, brothers Keith and Clive Player also both enlisted, and were allocated sequential numbers, Clive being SX8903 and Keith SX8904. 33-year-old Keith was allocated to the 2/48th Battalion.
In September, Dean was able to attend a farewell for another local, Jack Lennell, SX6012 who was to rise to the rank of Sergeant in the 2nd/12th Battalion. Again, the Warooka Memorial Hall was crowded with the young A.I.F. enlistees, Privates Clive Player, Bob Lampard, Doug. Holmes, Dean Liddicoat and Bert Thomson all home on leave. By the end of November ’40, The local Pioneer reported that Warooka was pleased to welcome home for the weekend several of its A.I.F. members — Keith and Clive Player, Bob Lampard SX8924, Dean Liddicoat SX8516 2/48th, Douglass Holmes SX8942 and Harold Miller S212902 who were spending their few hours of leave with their families.
Back home on leave in March ’41, a large crowd gathered in the Warooka Memorial Hall to honor their young men who had enlisted. Two of these were in the 2/48th Battalion with Dean SX8516. They were Privates Les Feehan SX11118 and Private Keith Player SX8904, as well as Len Barrett SX17200 2/9th. On behalf of the District Council, the Chairman praised the men for their decision to enlist and for their fine characters. This was followed by the usual presentation of a purse containing money to each soldier. Following a recitation, dancing was enjoyed by all present.
Prior to serving overseas, Dean spent two weeks at the Kapara Red Cross Convalescent Home at Glenelg. He eventually arrived in the Middle East but had several bouts of hospitalisation with Influenza and tonsillitis, both probably direct results of the desert conditions and the intense fighting. By the start of April 1941, the 2/48th were in Tobruk where the dust, flies, heat, minimal water supplies and constant bombardment were quite a challenge to new enlistees. They were to become the famed Rats of Tobruk.
It was inevitable that overseas the young men would catch up with those from their own hometowns. Their letters and news were frequently shared as happened with a letter from Dean, reprinted in the Advertiser of October ’41. ‘TEDDY BOXER LETTER from Dean Liddicoat. Yorketown, abroad with the AIP, to an Adelaide friend:—"lf you see Teddy Boxer again, tell him his best friend Des. Taylor is tops of the trees and is back in Palestine. You see, Des was on the spot when Teddy got hit. Des, who is 18 years old, had been recommended for the MM." Ted Boxer (Penong) returned home minus a leg a few months ago. and told me that but for Des. Taylor and Harold Parker he would have been taken prisoner at Tobruk.’ Des SX7911 and Harold SX7572 remained firm friends with Teddy Boxer, whose escape and survival was quite remarkable.
Dean eventually returned to Australia and a promotion to Acting Corporal in May ’42. The local Pioneer were also quick to announce ‘Cpl. D. Liddicoat (AIF returned) is spending a few days leave at home. Cpl. Liddicoat was at Tobruk for 6 months.’
A bout of concussion and then a fractured left foot in June saw more bouts of hospitalisation for Dean, the latter being in July ’42. He relinquished his promotion during hospitalisation but was able to have some time back in Warooka where he was able to attend the final Ball of the ‘Miss Red Cross’ competition where the Pioneer reported that the ‘opportunity was taken to welcome home Cpl. Dean Liddicoat, of the 2nd A.I.F. Dean saw service overseas and later in Australia, where he received a severe foot injury. After many months of hospital treatment, he is now awaiting his discharge from the Army.’ This occurred finally on August 3rd 1943 as Dean was adjudged medically unfit to continue serving. By this time, his mother, Ella Julie Liddicoat (nee Vigar) had retired to North Richmond to live.
Dean married Norreene Dawn Phillips who had a young son, Grant. (She had divorced her husband in December ’38. He had a colourful background including driving under the influence, false pretences, offensive behaviour and habitual cruelty against his second wife.) Unfortunately for the young couple, aged just 29 years, Norreene died in the Royal Adelaide Hospital on the 9th August ’49 after a long period of ill health. She was buried at Centennial Park. ‘LIDDICOAT.-On August 9, at Adelaide, Norreene Dawn, the loved wife of Dean Liddicoat of 50 Constance street, Cottonville, and loving mother of Grant; aged 29 years. A patient sufferer at rest.’ Grant died in August ’65 and was also buried with his mother.
Dean moved to the suburbs post-war and became a taxi driver. As did many returned soldiers, he returned to Australia with a memento from his experiences overseas, a pistol. However, in deciding to sell it to an Adelaide dealer, Dean found he was unlicenced to have such a war relic in his possession so the 50/- he gained from the sale was then quickly transmitted to a hefty fine of £5, with 10/ costs.
Dean eventually moved to Kensington Gardens in 1970 and was able to be re-issued with his medals which had been inadvertently lost. Just prior to his 60th birthday, Dean died on the 17th May ’79.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion