Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

William Bert, (Bill) born in Hindmarsh on the 28th September 1919, was named after his father, also a William. His mother was Mary Ann nee De Boar. William was their youngest son and had three brothers, Sidney Roy, Edward (Ted) and Victor. Interestingly, later Bill’s enlistment form has his year of birth as 1917.
As an 18-year-old and just prior to his 19th birthday, Bill enlisted with the Militia in ‘37, giving his date of birth as the 21st September 1918. At that stage he was working as a packer but was fascinated by short-wave radio, applying for membership to the radio 5AD Short Wave Club in April that year. In his application, he wrote “'I have at present a Breville Ferrodine 6-valve dual-wave receiver, but I am going to build a short-wave set later on. Wireless is my hobby, and I would be very proud to be a member of the 5AD Short Wave Club.” His application was accepted, with the Advertiser article continuing ‘There is no membership fee, but badges and books of report forms may be secured at 1/ each at the 5AD office. The stickers with the club badge printed on them will, it is hoped, be available in about a week's time, as they are now being printed.’
With newspapers reporting on a variety of minor incidents, William again featured in the Advertiser in August ’39 with the headlines proclaiming ‘Treated At Hospital Twice In Two Hours William Songer, 19, of Elizabeth street, Croydon, was treated at the Adelaide Hospital at about 1 a.m. yesterday for a laceration to his thigh. He had fallen from his motorcycle at Henley Beach and rode to the hospital for treatment. As he was returning to his home, his motorcycle side-slipped in Twelfth street, Bowden and he received abrasions to his leg. He was taken by the South Australian Ambulance to the hospital, where he received treatment for the second injury at about 2.10 a.m.’
It appears that Bill then reverted to bicycle riding as just two months later, he was caught for donkeying his friend, Hugh Gilcrest Miller. Both were fined 10/ with 10/ Costs. (Glasgow born Hugh also later enlisted in June ‘42, becoming PA2830 in the Navy but was discharged just two months later and enlisted in the AIF as SX19472 in the 2/43rd Battalion on April ‘43.)
By 1940 Bill enlisted to serve in WWII and this time gave his birth date as the 28th September 1917. At that stage, Bill was working in the Riverland area as a garage hand and taxi driving for Jack Clark of Renmark. It is possible that Bill had a pre-existing diabetic condition (glycosuria and albuminuria) when he first presented to enlist on the 24th June ’40, however on re-examination a fortnight later he was classified as being fit for Class I so was officially able to enlist at Wayville on the 9th July 1940 and by October had been allocated to the 2/48th Battalion.
His 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. Following brief pre-embarkation leave, Bill was one of 18 Privates from Wayville and Woodside who were seen off by train from Berri and Barmera with Sergeant Melvin Todd SX13618. Bill, then promoted to Corporal, proposed to Sylvia Lesley Mayhew of Forrestville before returning to the 2/48th with his contingent then embarking on the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 7th November 1940, arriving on the 19th December 1940. There the recruits completing a few months training in Cyrenaica.
In Palestine, Bill was fortunate to just receive an admonishment for his non-attendance at Parade in March. The battalion was soon on its way to serve in Tobruk, Syria and Egypt. 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.
In his book Tobruk to Tarakan, John Glenn described how Post S9 came under constant fire because of its strategic position. It was occupied by 10 Platoon of B Company, under the command of Sergeant Wally Prior.
Details of Bill sustaining severe but accidental burns are scarce, but on the 24th June he was evacuated to hospital for treatment on his body and limbs and immediately placed on the dangerously ill list. He survived for several days before succumbing to the effects of the burns on the 2nd July. He had been a soldier for less than a year. Bill was buried in the Tobruk War Cemetery in Grave 530 and a Court of Enquiry was immediately held. The findings of that Inquiry were that the severe burns injury and subsequent death were due to an accident sustained while on duty. Neither negligence, misconduct or wilful intent were the cause of this horrific event. The ‘most reliable of witness’ Major Dunlop’s reported that he attests William was “extensively burned on face, chest, arms, back and both legs.” He added “Owing to the severe nature of his burns he was retained there. He made some progress, but pneumonia developed and he died on the 2 July 41.”
Initially reported as dangerously ill, Bill was then reported as having died of his wounds in the July edition of the Advertiser. ‘Private William B. Songer, 21, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs W. Songer, of Croydon, died of wounds on July 2. He left for overseas last November.’
Aged 21, Acting Corporal Arville from Berri also died of wounds on July 3rd ’41. Their deaths were reported on the 24th July and the names of others from his 2/48th Battalion. They included: Killed In Action.— Pte. John B. Brice, SX6827, Broken Hill, N.S.W. Died Of Wounds.— A/Cpl. Arville T. Todd, SX9384, Berri, S.A.; Wounded In Action.— Pte. Albert J. Pascoe, SX4804, South Broken Hill (N.S.W.) and Pte. C. B. Rule, SX7313, Fullarton.
The Murray Pioneer shared the sad news. ‘Lance Corporal W. B, Songer, SX8428, previously reported dangerously ill, is now reported to have died of wounds. A telegram to this effect has been received by Mr. Bert Warren, lock master at Lock 5, and Mr. Arthur A. Ingham, of Renmark. Both were close friends of the soldier. Behind the announcement of the lance corporal's death is a story which It is hoped to publish later. It is contained in a letter from the soldier to Mr. Ingham. Mr. Ingham said that the parents of the soldier lived at Croydon, and that when he came to Renmark some time before the war broke out he was a taxi driver for Mr. Jack Clark. Lance Corporal Songer's age was 21. Enlisting from Renmark in November, 1940, he was drafted to Woodside camp, where he quickly picked up the soldier's duties and sailed with his unit for Egypt in January, three months after enlisting. Well known to many in Renmark and other River centres, the lance corporal, had a large number of friends. He was, said Mr. Ingham, one of the finest fellows possible to meet. The soldier was in action for seven weeks continuously before he was killed in Libya.’
The local Returned Soldiers' League held their meeting in August, the 27th anniversary of the outbreak of the Great War, and the 25th anniversary of Pozieres, where one Australian division suffered 6,000 casualties. At the usual 9 o'clock silence, Pte. Songer, was remembered with their old comrades from WWI.
A poignant letter was published in the Murray Pioneer in September that year, titled ‘Late Digger Paid His Debt’. “An example of Digger honesty, which was especially moving in view of the soldier's subsequent death, has been brought under notice by Mr. Arthur Ingham, of Renmark. He says that just before word came to hand that Corporal W. B. Songer was killed in action, he had received a letter from the late Digger enclosing an Egyptian note in payment of a mail debt he owed him. The letter stated:—"It only dawned on me the other day that I owed you some money. Ten shillings, I believe it is. I hope to make amends on the seeming delayed payment by forwarding you by this epistle one Egyptian note of 60 piastres, or 500 mils, which is the equivalent of 12/10 in Australian currency. The little extra you can call interest, if you like, or perhaps some petrol money. Anyhow, Arthur, I hope you accept it with the good will that accompanies the said note.”
‘It does not matter in what part of this big world one decides to wander there is a sprinkling of River men, mainly from good old Renmark. Believe me, these men are doing a splendid job in anything they undertake. Let's hope they are before long among their friends again. I am constantly looking forward to that happy day, as you are, I bet.
‘I have been in action now for about six or seven weeks in the worst place on earth bar none—Libya. It's not a bad life, Art. There are a few unpleasant things about it, such as dive bombing, machine gunning, etc., from the Hun air force, who no doubt take delight in doing so. They even considered the bombing of ambulances, hospitals, and hospital ships, etc., of military importance. They even machine gunned us when we were having a swim. This is not very pleasant, especially when it is at these moments we endeavour to forget that there is such a thing as a war on. Never mind, it can't last forever.’
Bill, officially listed as being 23 years of age, was buried in the Tobruk War Cemetery Plot 4 Row G Grave 6. He rests with 23-year-old John B. Brice SX6827, 25-year-old Private William F. Owen SX7628 from Port Lincoln and 21-year-old Arville Todd SX9384 of Berri, all from the 2/48th Battalion and others from the 2/9th, 2/13th 2/15th 2/17th 2/24th and the A.A.S.C. Division. His family chose the inscription ‘His Comrades Laid Him Down to Rest Among the Honoured Brave’ for his headstone.
His mother, Mary Ann died just two years later in 1943 and his father, William died in 1947.
Bill’s family continued to remember him in the ensuing years, as did his fiancée, Sylvia. She eventually married Norman Smyth in August ’43 but continued to remember Bill.
Advertiser Thursday 2 July 1942, SONGER.—In loving memory ot our dear son and brother. L.-Cpl. W. B. Songer (Bill), 2nd AIF, died of wounds at Tobruk on July 2, 1941. Beneath the Cross of Sacrifice, Within a silent grave His comrades laid him down to rest Among the honored brave. From memory's page will never blot. These little words, forget him not. Ever remembered by his loving mother father, and Vic SONGER.—In loving memory ot our dear brother. L/CPL W. B. Songer (Bill). 2nd AIF, died of wounds at Tobruk on July 2, 1941. Day by day my thoughts do wander To a grave far away. Where they laid my darling brother. Just a year ago today. —Ever remembered by his brother Ted, sister-in-law Min, and family. SONGER.—In loving memory of our dear brother. L.-Cpl. W. B. Songer (Bill). 2nd AIF., died of wounds at Tobruk July 2, 1941. What would I give to clasp your hand your smiling face to see. And be together once again. Just as we used to be. —Ever remembered by his brother Syd, sister-in-law Doll, and niece Eva. SONGER.—In loving memory of L.-Cpl. W. B. Songer (Bill), 2nd AIF, died of wounds at Tobruk, on July 2, 1941. Not Just today, but every day, In silence we remember. —Ever remembered by his loving niece Alice, and Tom. SONGER—In fond and loving memory of L.-CpL W. B. (Bill) Songer died of wounds at Tobruk, July 2. 1941. late 2nd AIF. A little token true and tender, Just to show that I remember. —Ever remembered by Sylvia. SONGER. —In memory of our cousin Will, who died on active service July 2, 1941. Thoughts return to days gone by. Time rolls on but memories last. —Remembered by Fred, Winnie, and children, Croydon.
Advertiser Friday 2 July 1943, SONGER (AIF.). —In loving memory of our cousin Bill. July 2, 1941.—Ever remembered by Ruth and Fred. SONGER.—Beautiful memories of our brother and uncle, died Tobruk. July 2, 541. A silent thought brings many a tear, of one we loved and miss so dear. —Remembered by Ted. Min and family. SONGER.—In loving memory of L/Cpl. (Bill), died at Tobruk. July 2. 1941. Just a token, fond and true, to show we still remember you.—Ever remembered by dad and Vic. SONGER—Treasured memories of our brother and uncle, died at Tobruk. July 2, 1941. Sweetest memories linger ever, of happy days spent together.—Ever remembered by Syd, Doll and Eva. SONGER In loving memory of L/CpL W. B. (Bill) Songer, died of wounds. Tobruk, July 2. 1941. Deep in my heart a memory is kept, of one that I loved and will never forget.—Always remembered by Sylvia.
Mail Saturday 1 July 1944, SONGER. — In fond and loving memory of our son and brother, L.-Cpl. (Bill) died of wounds Tobruk, July 2, 1941.— Inserted by dad and Vic. SONGER.— In memory of our brother and cousin, L/Cpl. Bill died of wounds Tobruk. July 2, 1941. Always remembered by Ted, Min, and family. SONGER. — In loving memory of L/Cpl. (Bill), died of wounds Tobruk. July 2 1941. Ever remembered by Syd, Doll, and Eva. SONGER.- In fond and loving memory of L/Cpl. Bill Songer, 2nd A.I.F., who died of wounds at Tobruk, July 2, 1941. - Always remembered by Sylvia.
News Tuesday 3 July 1945, SONGER.-In loving memory of Lance Corporal Bill. late 48th Batt. A.I.P., died of wounds Tobruk. July 2. 1941. Not Just today, but every day In silence we remember. Ever remembered by Dad. Vic. SONGER.-In loving memory of Lance Corporal Bill, late 48th Batt. A.I.F.. died of wounds. Tobruk. July 2. 1941. We treasure with love sincere beautiful memories of one so dear. Ever remembered by Syd, Doll, Eva.
Advertiser Tuesday 2 July 1946, SONGER.-—ln loving memory of L/Cpl. W. B. Songer died wounds. Tobruk, July 1 1941. Silent memories, true and tender, Just to show we still remember. Ever remembered by dad, Vic, Syd, Don and Eva. SONGER.—In loving memory of L/CpL Bill Songer died of wounds. Tobruk. July 2, 1941.—Inserted by Sylvia.
Advertiser Thursday 3 July 1947, SONGER.—In loving memory of L/CpL W. B. Songer, 2/48th Batt., died of wounds, Tobruk, July 2, 1941.—Ever remembered, Sylvia.
Advertiser Friday 2 July 1948, SONGER.—In fond memory of L/ W. B. Songer 2/48th Batt, died of wounds, Tobruk. July 2, 1941. —Inserted by Sylvia. SONGER.—-In loving memory of our dear brother and uncle, L/CpL W. B. Songer Bill, died of wounds, Tobruk. July 2 1941.—Ever remembered by Vic. Svd. Doll and niece Eva.
Advertiser Saturday 2 July 1949, SONGER.—In loving memory or our dear brother and Uncle Bill, died of wounds. Tobruk. July 2. 1941.— Ever remembered by Vic, Syd, Doll, Eva.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes, SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.