Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Lindsay was the second son of James William and Johanna Augusta Henrietta Earl, born in Mount Gambier on the 24th October, 1917. His father’s family were pioneers of the area who also unsuccessfully tried their hand at prospecting for gold in Victoria. As youngsters, James and his brothers would watch Adam Lindsay Gordon riding from his farm near Yahl to the town. ‘He usually rode as the crow flies, jumping ail the fences en route.” The boys did not hear of Gordon's famous leap on the banks of the Blue Lake until many years later when a move was made to erect a monument near the site of the reputed leap.
Lindsay’s own siblings included older brothers Otto Lindsay, Victor (Mick) and Stephen Andrew and sisters Olive and May. The family lived at Benara, out of Mount Gambier. Two years before Lindsay’s birth, his five-year-old sister had died of diphtheria, cases of which had swept the state. She was one of two children who contracted the infection. Special precautions were taken with the school master totally disinfecting the school and instructing students to do the same ‘and to burn sulphur whenever they could.’
Lindsay attended the Compton Downs Public School, where he was a talented scholar. The end of year concert and prize giving was popular with families who were entertained with musical and elocution items before the formal prize giving. At the end of the 1930 school year, Lindsay was awarded the Dux of Grade V and received a shield for being top of his grade for the term. Post school, Lindsay became a farm labourer. He was 16 when his 84-year-old father died in the Mount Gambier Hospital in May ’34. James was buried in the local Lake Terrace Cemetery at Mount Gambier.
Besides working, Lindsay was also a talented amateur cyclist, riding with the local Cycle Club in numerous road races. Following the large push for fit young country men to enlist to serve in WWII, 22-year-old Lindsay travelled to Kingston in June, then officially enlisted at Wayville on the 6th July ’40. He was given the number SX8259 and allocated to the newly 2/48th battalion.
Just prior to Christmas, Lindsay was home on a week’s pre-embarkation leave. Soon after, he and his fellow 2/48th Battalion, boarded the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 7th November 1940, disembarked on the 17th December. His record indicates he was penalised with the loss of pay for being absent without leave for six hours whilst on board the Stratheden. The next stop was to Tobruk at the start of April 1941 where they completed a few months training in Cyrenaica. Lindsay was to become one of the famed Rats of Tobruk.
Conditions in the Middle East were totally different to life in Mount Gambier. Lindsay encountered dust, flies, heat, minimal water supplies and constant bombardment, all of which were quite a challenge. In July ’41 he also contracted an inflammation of the lining of his stomach, causing him to be hospitalised for a week. The following year in February Lindsay was again hospitalised with inflammation around the bone of his left leg, but by March returned to his battalion.
Two years after he enlisted, 24-year-old Lindsay was killed during the ferocious fighting of June 22nd ’42. Lindsay’s battalion was attempting to capture West Point in a dawn attack. In late June, ‘42 with Rommel crossing into Egypt, the 2/48th were in an offensive to capture Trig 33, which was achieved on the 10th July. In doing so, over 400 Italian prisoners were taken. The 2/48th battalion then advanced south, capturing the Tel el Eisa station and repelling numerous counter attacks. However, they were eventually forced to withdraw, having suffered over 100 casualties. The 2/48th battalion suffered 215 casualties between the 7th July and 23rd October. Of that number, 64 men were killed and six, died of their wounds. 125 other men were wounded but survived.
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.’ The battalion made every attempt to bring back their wounded and killed mates, burying their lost men in the field.
Back home the Border Watch reported on the tragic death. ‘Mrs. W. Earle, of Benara, has received notification that her youngest son, Private Lindsay Earle, was killed in action on July 22 while serving with the A.I.F. in the Middle East. Private Earle, who was 23 years of age, had been a member of the A.I.F for nearly two years. He sailed for overseas on November 17, 1940 and was in Tobruk during its siege. He was later stationed in Palestine and then in Syria, and from there went to Egypt. After receiving his education at the Compton Downs School, Private Earle was engaged in farm work in the district up to the time of his enlistment from Kingston. He was unmarried. In civil life he was a keen amateur cyclist.’
Lindsay was initially buried in the El Alamein British Military Cemetery with a precious photo taken of this grave. He and others killed on that fateful day were eventually re-buried in April ’43. He now rests in the El Alamein War Cemetery in Plot XVI Row B Grave 17. He is surrounded by others from his 2/48th Battalion including 27-year-old SX8315 Pte Robert Sunman, 27-year-old SX12765 Charles Corfield, 41-year-old SX7801 L/Cpl Edward Smith, 32-year-old SX127 Lieutenant Frank Threadgold, 33-year-old SX7354 Pte Herbert C.P. Jones and 23-year-old SX8230 Private Ronald Clemens as well as others from the 2/2nd and 2/23rd Battalions. His mother chose the inscription ‘In Our Hearts a Memory is Kept of One Too Dear to Ever Forget’ for his headstone.
Lindsay’s personal effects were sent to his sister, May in January ’43. Later, in February ’52 his medals, the 1939/45 Star, African Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Medal were also sent to her.
A 20-mile Memorial Race was held In October ’47 as a tribute to Lindsay, Ron Leggett SX7714, also from the 2/48th Battalion, Frank Thompson and SX22798 Max (Joe) Little, all of whom paid the supreme sacrifice during the War. The race became an annual event with over 30 riders participating.
Johanna and the family continued to remember Lindsay in the ensuing years, placing a tribute to him in the local paper each year in remembrance of their son and brother until Johanna’s death, aged 72 in March ’47 at Benara.
Border Watch (Mount Gambier, SA : 1861 - 1954), Thursday 22 July 1943, page 4 EARL.-In loving memory of dear Lindsay. Killed in Action, El Alamein, July 22, 1942. When last we saw your smiling face, dear Lindsay, You looked so bright and well. Little did we think that day. It was our last farewell. To think we could not say goodbye Will always bring regret, The hearts that loved you dearly Are the ones that will never forget. Of a dear one gone to rest. Sadly missed, always, remembered by Mother, May, and Vic. EARL.-In loving memory of dear Lindsay. Killed in Action, El Alamein, July 22, 1942. Just one year ago today Brings back sad memories Of a dear one gone to rest, Deep in our hearts his memory is kept. Ever remembered by Otto, Ina, and Family.
Border Watch (Mount Gambier, SA : 1861 - 1954), Saturday 22 July 1944, page 4 EARL.-In loving memory of dear Lindsay, killed in action El Alamein, Egypt, July 22, 1942. Just two years ago today Brings sad memories Of a dear one gone to rest, We who loved, him will never forget. Sadly missed by mother, May, Vic.
Border Watch (Mount Gambier, SA : 1861 - 1954), Tuesday 24 July 1945, page EARL.-In loving memory of our dear Lindsay, who was killed on July 22, 1942. j You left behind such, aching hearts, That loved you most sincere, That never have and never will Forget you, dear. Sadly missed by mother and May.
Border Watch (Mount Gambier, SA : 1861 - 1954), Tuesday 23 July 1946, page 4EARL.—In loving memory of our dear Lindsay, killed at El Alamein, Egypt, July 22, 1942. His duty; nobly done. A token of love and remembrance to one we shall never forget. Always remembered by mother and May
Border Watch (Mount Gambier, SA : 1861 - 1954), Tuesday 22 July 1947, page 4EARL—In sad and loving memory of dear Lindsay. Killed in action at El Alamein, Egypt, July 22, 1942, Gone from this life, how sadly we miss you, Dear loving Lindsay the memory we keep, Never till life's end will we ever forget you, Deal1 to our hearts is the place where you sleep. Dearly loved and sadly missed. Always remembered by May, Vic and Otto; Ina and Family.

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