Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Alfred (Alf) was born in Birmingham, England on the 23rd December, 1906. His initial schooling was at the local Somerville Primary School in Birmingham. He successfully gained his Leaving Certificate, scoring 98% overall. Both his conduct and punctuality were rated as excellent with the Head Teacher commenting that he was “One of our most reliable and trustworthy lads. Should do splendidly in any profession he adopts.” High praise indeed.
However, post WWI, Alfred came to South Australia as one of the Barwell Boys when he was just 16. Coincidentally, Bill Crowther, just four days younger, also came out to South Australia and both ended up working on Eyre Peninsula, Bill at Minnipa and Alf at Cungena with both also enlisting to serve in WWII. The Barwell Boys scheme was created by Liberal Premier, Sir Henry Barwell in the 1920 to address the huge loss of men killed during WWI. was a scheme conceived by Sir Henry Barwell post WWI. Young boys were transferred from England to Australia to help farmers and soldier settlers who could offer work or an apprenticeship to the young lads. At that time in England, there was a high level of unemployment, so the scheme provided the promise of work and steady income. Each boy signed an Apprentice agreement whereby he was assigned to a farmer for three years, with weekly payments, board and lodgings. At the conclusion of their time, ostensibly a grant would be given once the boys turned 24 years of age.
The Port Adelaide News of February ’42 reported on the arrival of 78 boys who came via Ballarat and were taken to the Immigration Depot at Kintore Avenue, where refreshments were awaiting them. The scheme attracted much debate. The last of the Barwell Boys arrived in 1924, the scheme having been abolished by the Labour Government. The ‘Register’ reported that “The farm apprentices’ scheme was adopted in 1922, and under it 1,445 youths have been placed with farmers, pastoralists, and others engaged on the land in various parts of the State”. In all about 1,400 boys between the ages of 15 and 18 made the seven-week journey by boat.
In a concerted effort to encourage those in country regions to enlist, an A.I.F. recruiting depots were established in numerous country areas, including Streaky Bay. The West Coast Sentinel of June ’40 reported that “the response to the call to colours has been greatly stimulated, and 19 enlistments have been enrolled in the last 7 days. This figure in addition to the many who had previously joined up, brings the total number of enlistments to date from this district to a commendable high.” Aged 33, Alf was one of those enlistees enlisted to serve in WWII on the 9th July, 1940 at Streaky Bay, becoming SX8396 with the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. All recruits are issued with travelling warrants to Adelaide.
Alf had pre-embarkation leave in October that year where he returned to Cungena where a farewell was organised by the local Comforts Funds for Alf and Jeff Bassett (SX8380). It was a large gathering with the two being lauded in speeches with Mr Roberts mentioning that Pte. Taylor, who had come out here years ago under the Barwell scheme, had made good and had endeared himself to all. The two were wished God Speed and the wish that they returned to "our own free country." The West Coast Sentinel also reported that one of the speakers, “Mr. Schutz mentioned humorously that he had had the pleasure of presenting a cup to Pte. Taylor for growing wheat at Cungena, and thought that if he could win that distinction, he could win through anything.” Pte Sandy Ross’s father “spoke feelingly of the worth of the two men, referring to the fact that Pte. Taylor had recently been married, therefore his action in giving his services to his country was all the more commendable and paid a tribute to his wife, who, in her way, was doing a great service.” He wished both men God Speed and a quick return.
Both enlistees were presented with wallets, fountain pens, knitted socks and scarves. In Alf’s response, he spoke of his enjoyable associations with people of the district and thanked all for the evening and the presentations. A traditional country supper and dancing followed into the early hours.
Alf and his fellow 2/48th Battalion boarded the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 7th November 1940 and disembarked on the 17th December. Unfortunately, he contracted dysentery soon after his arrival causing him to be hospitalised. His leadership skills were quickly recognised with a promotion to Corporal in January ’41. His 2/48th Battalion completed a few months training in Cyrenaica before going to Tobruk at the start of April 1941 where the dust, flies, heat, minimal water supplies and constant bombardment were quite a challenge to these fresh new enlistees. In the poor conditions he later contracted catarrhal jaundice but successfully undertook a Carrier course. Alf was to become one of the now famed Rats of Tobruk in a battalion which was to be highly regarded and decorated. Alf was one of the men to be in control of a Carrier, surplus from the 6th Division, with SX7721 Hedley Pratt (also a farmer in private life), and SX9406 Ronald ‘Stuka’ Denton from Ceduna.
Throughout the war, Alf’s wife, Gwen Muriel wore a gold locket containing her husband’s photo. (This continues to remain a precious memento in the family today.) By August 8th ’42 Alf was reported missing in action which was later confirmed as him being taken prisoner of war. He had been captured behind German Lines on his Bren Gun Carrier and was handed over to the Italians. As a POW he was then taken from the North African campaign, with Allied soldiers being alphabetically divided between two ships. Those in the M-Z range were transported on the Italian Cargo ship, Nino Bixio. However, on the way to Italy, three torpedoes fired from ‘Turbulent’ a Royal Navy submarine, damaged the ship in 1942, killing 336 Allied prisoners of war. Alf was fortunate that his ship remained afloat and as a survivor he was rescued and taken to POW Camp 57 in Italy. Alf rose to the rank of Sergeant in Oct ’42. A telegram to that effect was sent to his wife, Gwen. He eventually transferred from Italy to Germany, Stalag 18, with a new number 7679. Whilst a POW Alf became a member of the motley uniformed soccer team, which certainly raised morale.
Post war, Alf returned to the POW Camp, meeting a fellow POW, Polish Ted Krupka who was in a German Forced Labour Camp nearby. Ted’s entire family had been rounded up in the middle of the night (in Poland) and taken to Austria as forced labour. Ted’s grandmother was dumped about 50 miles down the road with the other old people and left there. Alf and Ted became close friends with Ted and his family emigrated to Australia after the war.
Alf survived the war and was finally released to the UK on the ‘Western Europe’ on the 29th May 1945, returning home to South Australia in August 1945. Alfred then became a farmer at Cungena, near Streaky Bay between Kyancutta and on the Eyre Peninsula. In early times, this township was a site for the storage of wheat in the bulk silos. Alf and Gwen had three children, John, Elizabeth (Beth) and Robert with the family living in Cummins until the ‘60’s. There, Alf was active in all aspects of country life, including being on the local Agricultural and Horticultural Society. His service is recognised on a memorial in the Cummins/Yeelanna RSL Hall in Cummins SA. Eventually, he and Gwen moved to Coomunga, near Port Lincoln.
Alfred died on the 27th January 1975 and is buried at North Shields Cemetery, Port Lincoln. Gwendoline died on 24th October 1988 and now rests with her husband.
After many years of research, investigation and attempts to contact descendants of the Barwell Boys, Alfred’s daughter, Elizabeth initiate the placement and unveiling of a plaque in Cummins on the Eyre Peninsula in October 2022. Cummins was chosen for the location as it was a central town to the farms where so many of the ‘Boys’ were placed. This celebrated the centenary of the first arrival of ‘Barwell Boys’ in South Australia. A duplicate is also planned for the Migration Museum in Adelaide. Fred and his descendants certainly lived up to the prediction of his early Head Teacher in doing “splendidly in any profession he adopts.”
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes, SX8133, 2/48th Battalion with extra information provided by Alf’s daughter, Beth Carter.