Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Jack Colin Curtis
Jack was brother to Clem, Joyce and George, husband of Muriel and father to Janet and Trevor. A colourful character, Jack enlisted early in the WWII conflict as a member of the newly formed 2/48th Battalion which became the most highly decorated but decimated group of soldiers. Their bravery earned them respect by fellow Allied forces and also from those against whom they fought. The closeness of the men was forged at Tobruk where against all odds the Allieds were able to hold that strategic position; earning their intended derogatory comment of living like rats into a badge of supreme honour of being the Rats of Tobruk. Jack’s loyalty and sense of humour was valued by those with whom he served. His image was immortalised as he, Jack Champion and Roy Darley were photographed in October 1941 leaving on the ship, Kingston with their ‘adopted’ Italian dog called Toby in a backpack. Within a year, in a cruel twist of fate, Jack was to die of wounds in an accident.
in the detailed ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’, John G. Glenn recounts: ‘From the 18th to 22nd September the unit practiced night attacks, using shielded lights to mark the line of advance. This method was entirely new; the troops guessed the exercise was a preparation for the big offensive for which the Eighth Army had been piling up strength. On the last night of the exercise Signaller Jack Curtis had established a signal point at one of the lights when he was struck by a jeep and so seriously injured that he died soon after.’
In measure of the esteem in which Jack was held, fellow soldiers, family and civilian friends continued to pay tribute to his memory.
Advertiser (Adelaide, SA: 1931 - 1954), Thursday 23 September 1943, page 6 HEROES OF THE EMPIRE At the going down of the sun and In the morning we will remember them. CURTIS. J. C. Sig.—Killed In Egypt. Sept. 23. 1942. Resting in a soldier's grave, your memory honored with Australia's brave. —Inserted by his brother Clem, and Nell, and children. CURTIS. —A tribute of love and honor to Jack, accidentally killed Egypt. Sept. 23. 1948. —Ever remembered by Aunty Annie and Uncle Mac, Betty and Don. CURTIS. —In loving memory of my darling son, Sig. Jack Colin, who died Egypt, Sept 23. 1842. Deep in my heart a memory is kept of a loving son. —Inserted by his loving mother and brother, George. CURTIS. —In loving memory of our dear brother, Jack, who was killed in Egypt. September 23. 1942. Your cheerful smile and happy ways will linger with us all our days. —Ever remembered by Joyce and George. CURTIS. —A loving tribute to the memory of Jack (A.l.F.) who made the supreme sacrifice. Sept. 23 1942. His duty nobly done. —Inserted by Uncle George and Aunty Ellen and family CURTIS. Sig. Jack (A.I. F.). —In remembrance of Jack, who made the supreme sacrifice. Middle East. Greater love hath no man. —Inserted by Bon and Les (A.I.F.) CURTIS. Sig. Jack CURTIS A tribute to the memory of Jack, made the supreme sacrifice. Middle East. Sept. 23. 1942. Too far away thy grave to see. but not too far to remember thee. —Inserted P. and M. Brodie and Max Mavis. CURTIS, Sig. Jack Colin, killed In Egypt Sept. 23. 1943. There are griefs that cannot find comfort, and wounds that cannot be healed. —Lovingly remembered by his wife and children, Janet and Trevor.
Advertiser (Adelaide, SA: 1931 - 1954), Thursday 28 October 1943, page 8 SPECK In memory of Dick, killed In action at El Alamein. Oct. 25-26. 1942. A true pal will be ever remembered. —Inserted by his pals. Max, Madeline, and family. Spalding. In memory of our pals, who paid the supreme sacrifice at El Alamein, Oct, 1942. Lindsay Goode. Tas Scutt. Jack Curtis, Les King, Bill Jarmyn. Arthur Noak. Lionel Schubert. Harold Pearce. — Ever remembered by pals, signal Platoon. In remembrance of our comrades, killed in action. El Alamein, Capt. Keith Bishop. Oct. 26. '42: Brig. Arthur Godfrey. D.S.O, Oct. 30. '42: Capt. John Halifax, July 17. '42. Numbered amongst the bravest and best. Remembered by boys of 24th Aus. M. Bde. H.Q.—lnserted by WOII C H Goldfinich, B.S.M.
Advertiser (Adelaide, SA: 1931 - 1954), Friday 29 October 1943, page 8 In loving memory of my pals who paid the supreme sacrifice. El Alamein. Oct. 1942. Les King, Bill Jarmyn, Lindsay Goode, Tas Scutt, Jack Curtis, Arthur Noack, Lionel Schubert, Harold Pearce. —Remembered by Cyril. A tribute to the memory of the boys who fought and died at El Alamein. October 23-31.—0. Phillips. A token of remembrance To my pals - and comrades of the 2/48th Battn. who fell at El Alamein In October, 1942. — Inserted by Bill Fletcher.
Advertiser (Adelaide, SA: 1931 - 1954), Saturday 23 September 1944, page 12CURTIS. —In loving memory of our dear brother Jack, accidentally killed in Egypt. September 23, 1942. Dearer to thee than words can tell are thoughts of a brother loved so well. —lnserted by Joyce and George. CURTIS. —In loving memory of my dear son Jack, killed in Egypt Sept. 23, 1942. A wonderful son, so brave and kind, your equal on earth I'll never find. — Ever remembered by mother. CURTIS. Signaller. —ln loving memory of Jack, died Egypt Sept. 23. 1942. "Resting where no shadows fall."—Fondly remembered by Auntie Eilleen and Auntie Annie. CURTIS. —In loving memory of my brother Jack, killed in Egypt Sept. 23, 1542. You were a hero, now in death, to give your life that we may live. —For ever remembered by George CURTIS. —In proud remembrance of Jack (signaller). killed in Middle East. A thought for today, a memory for always. —Inserted by P. and M Brodie and family. Whyalla. CURTIS. —In memory of Jack Colin, accidentally killed in Egypt on September 23. 1942 Not Just today, but every day do I remember. —lnserted by his father, Howard Curtis. CURTIS. —In memory of my brother Jack, killed in Egypt September 23, 1942. Evening stars are shining on a grave so far away, where they laid my brother Just two years ago today—Inserted by his brother, Clem, Nell and family. CURTIS. —In loving memory of Jack, died September 23, 1942. His duty nobly done. Remembered by Keith and Les Brodie. CURTIS. —In loving memory of our dear husband and father, Jack 2/ 48th Batt, accidentally killed, Egypt, Sept 23, 1942. Some may think we have forgotten when at times they see us smile but no one knows that silent longing that smile hides all that while—Inserted by his wife and children, Jan and Trev.
Advertiser (Adelaide, SA: 1931 - 1954), Saturday 22 September 1945, page 16 CURTIS. Jack Colin. — Accidentally killed abroad. September 23. 1942. His smiling face and happy ways. Will linger with me all my days. —Inserted by his father, Howard Curtis.
Advertiser (Adelaide, SA: 1931 - 1954), Saturday 16 March 1946, page 18 Curtis. —The wife, daughter, son of the late Jack Curtis, of 89 Wilson St. Kalgoorlie W.A. late Adelaide, desire very sincerely to thank all relatives, friends, for telegrams, letters, cards, beautiful floral tributes and expressions of sympathy in the sad loss of a dear husband and father. CURTIS. —The mother, brother and sisters of Boulder. W.A, and North Adelaide, of the late Jack Curtis, desire to very sincerely thank all relatives and friends for telegrams, letters, cards, beautiful floral tributes, personal expressions of sympathy In the sad loss of their dear son and brother.
Advertiser (Adelaide, SA: 1931 - 1954), Monday 23 September 1946, page 16 CURTIS. —In loving memory of our dear son and brother Jack Colin, who was accidentally killed in Egypt. Sept. 23. 1942. Many a lonely heartache, often a silent tear, but always a beautiful memory of a son we loved so dear. —So sadly missed by his loving mother, sister and brother. CURTIS. —In proud and loving memory of my dear brother Jack, who was accidentally killed, Egypt. Sept. 23, 1942. No one knows the heartache. Only those can tell Who have lost a loving brother Without a last farewell. —Ever remembered by George. CURTIS. —In memory of Sig. Jack Colin late 2/48th Battalion. accidentally killed. Egypt. 23rd Sept. 1942. Treasured memories live forever Of happy days we spent together. —Ever remembered by his own folk. CURTIS. —Sig. Jack Colin (2/4Sth— A tribute of love and honor to Jack, who made the supreme sacrifice Sept. 23. 1942. Middle East. -The waves of the ocean divide us. And you sleep with the honored brave: We'll remember you for ever And treasure the life you gave. —Ever remembered by P. and M. Brodie. Les (A.I.F) Max (R.A.A.F) Mavis (A.W.A.S). and Jeff. —CURTIS ln loving memory or Jack, accidentally killed in Egypt September 23, 1942. For each and all he did his best. —Remembered always by his father Howard Curtis.
Advertiser (Adelaide, SA: 1931 - 1954), Tuesday 23 September 1947, page 16 CURTIS —In loving memory of my darling son Jack, who was killed In Egypt, September 23. 1942 Dearer to us, no words can tell, those lovely feelings always dwell: too dearly loved to be forgotten, —Ever remembered by mother, sister and brothers. CURTIS—In memory of Slg. Jack Curtis, killed in Middle East. September 23, 1942. He lives with us in memory still, not Just today, but always will. —Remembered by his ‘ain folk’.
Advertiser (Adelaide, SA: 1931 - 1954), Thursday 23 September 1948, page 8HEROES OF THE EMPIRE _ "At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them." CURTIS. —ln loving memory of dear Jack, accidentally killed in Egypt. September 23. 1941. Always remembered. —lnserted by mother, brothers and sister. CURTIS. —In loving memory of Sgt Jack Curtis, 2/48th Battalion, Accidentally killed. M.E. September 23. 1942. Hearts that loved you never forget. —Always remembered by his ‘ain folk."
Lest We Forget
Researched by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133 2/48th Battalion.