Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Carle Albert Reginald Sims
Carle was one of six children, three boys and three girls, born to Frederick and Jessie Sims. His siblings were Oliver Leonard (Paddy), Fred, Jane Jessie (Pearl), Hilda and Gladys. Born in Norwood on the 5th March, 1907, Carle attended the local Norwood school before working for the Southern Milk Supply and Clear Ice Service. He was just 19 when after a long illness, his mother died on the 2nd August 1926 and was buried in the Payneham Cemetery. With his father pre-deceasing Jessie, she had worked as a nurse to support the family. Despite then being orphans, the children continued to support each other and the family continued to remember Jessie on the anniversary of her death each year.
In less than two years, tragedy again struck when Carle’s 39-year-old widowed sister, Pearl died on February 2nd 1930. She had been boiling water in a copper for her washing when the fire at the bottom ignited her apron, spreading quickly to her dress. Despite pushing to the tap and saturating her clothes, she sustained burns to her shoulders and chest. She had been looking after her own two children as well as two of her brother’s. The youngsters called the neighbours and Pearl was taken by police ambulance to the Adelaide Hospital. Pearl was interred with her parents at the Payneham cemetery.
Carle worked as an Ice deliverer in the pre-refrigerator years when blocks of ice were regularly delivered to homes to assist with keeping food fresh for longer. In most of the Adelaide suburbs the efficiency of the deliveries meant that Carle moved from house to house on each side of the street, as did milk and bread deliverers. To save time it was not uncommon for the deliverers to park on the wrong side of the road, where an officious administrator would report the crime, resulting in a Court appearance for these lowly paid workers. Carle Albert Sims of Coke street Norwood, ice vendor was one such deliverer, fined £1 10/ for this offence in March ’39. Five months later, having moved to Ashbrook road. North Norwood his inattention to giving way to traffic on his right resulted in a higher fine of £3. with 16/3 costs.
Just after his 33rd birthday, Carle enlisted to serve in WWII on the 8th July 1940. He named Ivy Sims, his brother, Fred’s wife as his next of kin. Fred was a hard-working man who helped construct the building of the locks along the River Murray, an undertaking that continued for over 13 years from 1922 to 1935. His family lived in what was colloquially known as ‘tent city’ as the workers and their families moved along the banks of the River as each lock was completed and the next started construction.
Carle’s initial training was at Wayville in what is now the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds, before completing training at Woodside in the Adelaide Hills. He became SX8290 and a part of the newly formed 2/48th Battalion which left for the Middle East on the Stratherden.
Just over two years after enlisting, Carle was killed in action on the 22nd July, 1942. He was 35 years old. His battalion was attempting to capture West Point in a dawn attack. In his book, ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’, John G. Glenn described the ferocious encounter;
‘When the troops were well forward of the start-line they came under terrific fire from shells and mortars from the front and left, and suffered heavy casualties. With the slow deliberate movement of perfectly trained soldiers both companies continued the advance in perfect formation, over ground that trembled and erupted with vicious explosions. Through this, sometimes obscured by the smoke and dust, the men moved, and, as they advanced, the fire kept place with them, leaving behind the still shapes of fallen men among the camel bush and sand.’
By August the horrific new was relayed to his sister, that Carle had been killed in this action. His extended family continued to remember this young man, ‘forever young’.
Advertiser Wednesday 12 August 1942, SIMS. —On July 22. Pte, Carle Sims, AI.F-. killed in action (abroad). Our friend. The best that God could ever find.—Wally and Alice Hemsley. SIMS.—Killed in action on July 22, 1942, Pte. Carle Sims, loving brother-in law of Ede and Art Close. Always re membered. SIMS. —Killed in action on July 22, Pte. C. A. R. Sims, aged 35 years, formerly 19 Church avenue, Norwood, be loved brother of Paddy. Gladys, Hilda, and Fred; also brother-in-law of Joe and Essery. Without fear he gave his life. This day and always we will remember.
Advertiser Friday 14 August 1942, SIMS.—Pte. Carle Sims, killed in action July 22. AIF. abroad. We will remember. —lnserted by his friends Eileen and Aus. Lewis.
Advertiser Saturday 15 August 1942, page 10 SIMS.—Killed in action on July 22, In Egypt, Pte. Carle Sims, loving cousin of Edna and Glen. Without fear he gave his life for his country.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion