Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Harry The Colt

Before becoming a station hand at Byjerkerno Station in NSW Harry successfully attended the Charleston Public School, graduating in 1936. He then became a clerk in the local Broken Hill recruiting office before being able to enlist a month after his 20th birthday on June 3rd 1940 to become SX8328 and a member of the newly formed 2/48th   His brothers Wallace and John also enlisted to serve in WWII, Wallace (born the day after Harry) enlisted just prior to Harry on the 5th March 1940.

The relative freedom of life on the land contrasted with army life and resulted in an early AWOL charge and another for not being on guard duty. Financially the poorer, Harry eventually sailed on the Stratheden and his last view of Australia. An attack of dysentery made the voyage challenging.

Harry’s brother, Wallace also enlisted arriving in Palestine in 1941 to learn that Harry’s camp was just three miles away. He then successfully applied to join Harry’s unit, the 2/48th Battalion.

Harry was immediately in the thick of conflict, sustaining a gunshot wound to his scalp in May of 1941 which required hospitalisation. His mother received this news just a month after Harry’s brother, Wallace, had also been wounded in Libya. Harry was then involved in an attack on the newly taken Post S9 in July 1941 and the destruction of a German sniper’s post. In retaliation, the group, under the leadership of Sergeant Prior, took refuge in an underground room as they were subjected to heavy bombardment. In John Glenn’s Tobruk to Tarakan, conditions were described as “The noise was terrific. Great pieces of cement and dirt filled the entrance to the bomb-proof shelter, blocking us in so that we were soon suffering from lack of air. We dipped towels in the reserve water, and in pitch darkness wrapped them round our faces and waited, for what seemed like hours for the shelling to stop. By another strange coincidence one of the last shells to land on the remains of Post S9 freed the entrance and allowed light and air to come in.”

Harry eventually rejoined the 2/48th in August before being detached for duty to the Australian Corps Ski School in Syria from December ’41 to February ’42. He proved to be particularly successful, winning a certificate for his skills in this activity. This young soldier was then promoted to Corporal in September. He wrote home to his younger brother on October 5th and also sent a Christmas Card to the family. Skin conditions of dermatitis and tinea proved to be challenging in the Middle East and conditions in general before he was able to return again to his battalion. Within three days, he was to be fatally killed, aged 22.

At 3:00 am on the 31st October, 1942 Harry’s Company came up against a strong German post in what came to be called the Battle of El Alamein. A fixed bayonet order was given to charge under heavy counter fire. This took the life of Harry and Rex, both Privates and caused Jack Evans to be severely wounded and later died as a prisoner. That charge was considered a success and resulted in the taking of 15 prisoners. The 292 strong battalion lost a total of 199 officers and men, killed or wounded in that night’s attack; only 99 survived. Harry’s mother received this news at Christmas-time

Initially Harry was buried in the field but now rests in the El Alamein War Cemetery, Plot 9, Row F.

Family, friends and fellow soldier, Ern Harmer continued to remember Harry the Colt:

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA: 1931 - 1954), Saturday 30 October 1943, page 10 BROWN. DAVIS. —A tribute to the memory of my pals. Rex Brown and Harry Davis, who sacrificed their lives at EI Alamein on Oct. 31. 1942. To be with me in the same old way would be my dearest wish today Pte. Ern Harmer (ret.) 

DAVIS in loving memory of Harry Killed in action at El Alamein Oct 30 1942. Too dearly loved to be forgotten. Always remembered by his loving friend, Ethel Cassidy

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA: 1931 - 1954), Tuesday 31 October 1944, page 8 DAVIS. —In loving memory of Harry, killed at El Alamein on Oct. 31. —Always remembered by Ethel and Mr. and Mrs. Cassidy.

DAVIS, Cpl. H., 2/48th Battalion. —In loving memory of Harry (the Colt), killed in action at El Alamein, Oct. 31, 1942. Ever remembered by Enid and Wally.

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), Wednesday 31 October 1945, page 14 DAVIS, Harry.—ln loving memory of Harry, killed In action El Alamein, -October 31. 1942.—Ever remembered by Enid and Wally.

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), Thursday 31 October 1946, page 14 BROWN, DAVIS.—A tribute in the memory of my pals. Rex and Harry ("Colt"), who gave their lives at El Alamein. October 31. 1942.—Ever remembered by Ern Harmer. 

Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133 2/48th Battalion.