Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Born on the 18th February, 1915 Allen was the second son of Harold Edwin and Olive Agnes Rix. From an early age, Allen was nicknamed Dick, which stuck with him, even during his war service years. His siblings included four brothers, Harold Milton (Bill), Clarence Charles (Clarry) Reginald Leonard (Reg) and Maurice Ronald.
Their father, Harold, worked the Lyrup punt, offering a 24-hour service. The punt could hold eight cars, carry 275 sheep at one time or 60 head of great stock. At that stage, Lyrup had fourty growers in the Lyrup Irrigation Settlement, in an area that was previously part of the old Murray Riverbed. The resultant sandy soil, while described as ‘mediocre’ provided good drainage for the six hundred acres of vines and trees. Additionally, butter and eggs were also saleable items produced in the area.
The boys attended the Lock school, played sport for the local football and cricket teams, with 19 year old Dick playing for Bookmark in the newly formed B grade where he was spoken of in glowing terms for his performance. (Bookmark is a small Riverland town between Loxton and Berri, known for horticulture and its proximity to Lock 4.) Dick was a strong batter and his traditional lusty pulls resulted in quick scoring. Post school, Dick became a baker. He had just turned 17 when his 43-year-old mother died at Lyrup, ‘leaving a sorrowing husband and five children’. She was buried in the West Terrace Cemetery. The river then provided employment for Dick’s older brother, Bill when he took over from his father as ferryman at Lyrup.
However, with the outbreak of WWII Dick enlisted at Berri in June ’40, nominating his widowed father, who had moved to Henley Beach, as his next of kin. He was allocated the number SX8411 and placed in the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. He and other new enlistees were initially housed in the Motor Pavilion of what is now the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds. Their ‘beds’ were straw filled hessian on wooden pallets. The young men were later given kitbags on which their names were stencilled. On subsequent days, the battalion headed to Woodside in the Adelaide Hills for preliminary training.
All four of Dick’s brothers enlisted over the following years. His oldest brother, Bill request to be relieved of his lease as Lyrup ferryman to enlisted in the A.I.F. The council made a recommendation to the Highways Commissioner that the request be granted and an acting ferryman be appointed for the remainder of the term of the lease. Consequently, in August ’41, Bill became a Trooper with the 2/9th Battalion as SX14344.
Clarence was the next, enlisting on the 21st January ‘43 as SX28244. He rose to become a Lieutenant in the 43rd battalion. Two months later the third brother, Reginald Leonard SX28940 enlisted on the 15 March ’43 with the Supply Depot Company. Maurice was the fourth brother, serving in the air force.
Dick became engaged to a local Loxton girl Melva Frieda Fielke, one of thirteen children, in September ’40 whilst on leave. He and his fellow members of the 2/48th Battalion then embarked on the Stratheden for the Middle East, in November ’40, arriving on the 17th December. The young men then marched to a Staging Camp until July before returning to their battalion. During those early days in the Middle East, besides regular army duties was the need to quickly adapt to the locals as well as soon being involved in intense conflicts where the reputation of the 2/48th Battalion for being the most highly decorated but decimated battalion was earned. Dick was to become one of the highly respected and famed Rats of Tobruk.
The 2/48th was taken out of the 7th Division and temporarily placed in the 9th Division, which caused initial disappointment. By the 12th March ’41, orders were finally received, with Dick being part of an advanced party of seven leaving for the Western Desert by road convoy. John Glenn in Tobruk to Tarakan explained that ‘Next day the battalion was entrained at Gaza for its journey into Cyrenaica. This was goodbye to the cinema, the canteen and the tents for a long time to come… The ‘Benghazi handicap’ and the siege of Tobruk lay ahead.’
Another local, Bernard Cant SX5353 from the 27th Infantry Battalion who also enlisted in June, wrote home from "Somewhere in the Middle East" with his letter published in the local Murray Pioneer in March ’41. He shared that “As you Know I am in Palestine, but how much longer I will remain here I cannot say, as I move about from time to time and have been much nearer the field of operations than I am at the moment. There seems to be a large pot of trouble brewing In our near vicinity, and I will be in the thick of it in due time. Our chaps have put up a splendid show in the desert under very difficult conditions and the troops generally are in grand condition and ready for anything. I have seen a number of River boys. A few days ago, I had a visit from Ray Dolan, of Renmark, Dick Rix and Ray Smith (Berri) and H. H. Short Of Barmera.”
In September that year, Dick ‘at present in Palestine’ wrote to the Lyrup Red Cross with his letter being read at their fortnightly meeting. In it he stated that “Several of the Lyrup boys abroad have at one time or another been In hospital and so benefited from the Red Cross. Private Rix said that he was glad to see the splendid effort which his home town was making for the Red Cross, and hoped they continued with the good work.”
News of local Riverland soldiers continued to drift through, including from a fellow footballer, Bill Westley, who received a foot injury and also debilitating eye issues from sand glare which caused his return to Berri. Bill reported on other footballers who had been wounded in action but also added that “Dick Rix was quite well.”
Unfortunately, in August ‘42 Dick was affected with an inflammation of his small intestine (acute enteritis) requiring a week’s hospitalisation. Soon after, the 2/48th Battalion was finally able to return from the Middle East at the start of February, arriving in Australia via Melbourne in March ’43. For the Riverland communities, the announcement by Prime Minister Curtin that a further contingent of troops had arrived in Australia from the Middle East, created huge excitement. As trains drew into the country stations, platforms were crowded with excited families anxious to share the three weeks of leave. Many of the men had been away from home for three years and came home as proud Rats of Tobruk. The Murray Pioneer, which carried Dick’s photo, reported that ‘Practically without exception the men looked 100 per cent fit, though some carried the unmistakable traces of hard campaigning under difficult conditions.’
Over 1,000 thronged to a social held in the local Renmark institute, which struggled to accommodate everyone. High praise was extended to those who had served in the siege of Tobruk and in other theatres of war. At the Lyrup Institute a social was also held for five of their young men, including Dick. As part of the decorations, a replica of his division colours was featured on the stage curtains. Following a formal welcome, the Lyrup Soldiers' Welfare Committee reminded the soldiers that a War Savings Certificate was purchased for each Lyrup boy on his embarkation and would be presented to him on his discharge. Dick and the men responded before dancing and a supper followed.
Whilst home on leave, Dick and Melva married in the Pilgrims of Zion Lutheran Church at Bookpurnong on the 10th March ’43.
Training in Queensland followed to prepare for fighting in New Guinea, against a very different enemy and in tropical conditions. Dick arrived in Milne Bay in August ’43 but soon after developed an upper respiratory tract infection. Stomach illness then developed towards to end of the year, followed by a high fever (Pyrexia of Unknown Origin). Dick then officially returned to his profession but as a cook rather than baker. He quite quickly attained a Grade II Cook proficiency.
However, by March ’44, Dick returned to Australia via Brisbane and was treated for malaria, then tinea and sinusitis. He returned home on leave before returning to duties at the end of the month. His malaria was later diagnosed as critical and, combined with the continuing sinusitis, contributed to his discharge in November ’44 having served for four and a half years on the 6th November ’44. He returned to Berri and life with Melva.
The extended family was dealt an horrific blow with the announcement of the death of 35-year-old Trooper Harold (Bill) who was killed in action at Brunei Bay, in Borneo in June 45 as a result of friendly fire. The Murray Pioneer reported that ‘Mrs. Marge E. Rix of Belinda Street, Evandale, has been notified that her husband, Tpr. H. M. ("Bill") Rix, was killed in action in Borneo on June 15. Tpr. Rix, who was 35 years of age, leaves a son Teddy 22 months old. He was the eldest son of Mr. H. E. Rix, of Hanson Street, Adelaide, and the late Mrs. Rix, formerly of Lyrup. Four other brothers also joined the services. One A. R. ("Dick") Rix has been discharged after 4 ½ years' service in the AIF (ex 9th Division) and is living at Berri. Lt. C. C. Rix is at present in the Solomons, Cpl. R. L. in the AIF, and the youngest ACI M R. Rix is in the RAAF. Tpr. Rix enlisted in August 1941, and prior to that was the ferryman at Lyrup. He was a keen sportsman having played football and cricket in the Renmark district for a number of years.’ In future years Bill would also be commemorated with a playground named in his honour, the ‘Rix Memorial Playground’.
Following Bill’s death, inevitably new tenders were called for the lease of the Berri Punt. At the end of June ’45 the Council announced that Dick was the new lessee. ‘The term of the lease is two years. Mr. Rix is a returned soldier from the present war and is a brother of the late Tpr. H. M. Rix, who recently lost his life on active service, and who for many years operated the Lyrup punt.’ In ’47 the lease was again extended for a further four years.
Each year, Melva and Dick continued to remember Bill.
Advertiser Wednesday 27 June 1945, RIX, Tpr. H. M. (Bill). SX14344-In proud and loving memory of our dear brother and brother-in-law, killed in action, June 15, 1945. Too dearly loved to ever be forgotten. Inserted by Dick and Melv.
Advertiser Saturday 15 June 1946 RIX.—In loving memory of Bill who lost his life in Borneo. June 15, 1945. Hearts that loved you never forget, in memory you are with us yet. Fondly remembered by brother and sister-in-law, Dick and Melva.
Murray Pioneer Thursday 13 June 1946 RIX—In loving memory of Bill, who lost his life in Borneo June 35th, 1945. His life was a noble sacrifice, His heart was true and tender. He gave his life for those he loved, Then left them to remember. —Always remembered by brother and sister-in-law, Dick and Melva.
Advertiser Monday 16 June 1947 RIX—In loving memory of dear brother Bill, killed In action, Borneo, June 15, 1945. Years may dawn and fade away, but loving memories always stay.—Always remembered by Dick and Melv.
Murray Pioneer Thursday 10 June 1948 RIX, H. M. —In proud and loving memory of our dear brother Bill killed in action Borneo, June 15, 1945. With tender love and deep regret. We who loved you will never forget. Ever remembered by Dick and Melva.
The Lyrup Soldiers' Welfare Committee also continued to remember Bill, their own soldier, with a two minute’s silence, ending with the words "They shall grow not old." The Committee also divided the 140 £1 War Savings Certificates between the returned personnel according to their service. Their noble work done and the pride which was felt when they were welcomed home was shared at the presentation in April ‘46.
In the ensuing years, Melva and Dick had a much loved daughter, Jenny.
Aged 77, Melva died on the 4th August 1995. The following month Aged 80 Allen died on the 8th September, 1995. Both now rest in the Pilgrims of Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery at Bookpurnong.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133 2/48th Battalion.