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Charles was the middle son of Henry and Annie Page, and was born in Spalding on the 26th July 1910. His brothers were Rod and Hartley and two sisters, Ruth and Vera. That mid north region was an area first settled by the Hawker brothers and Hughes families, pastoralists whose properties called Bungaree and Bundaleer still exist. It was a strong grain and wool growing area on the ‘right’ side of Goyder’s line for consistent rainfall. Henry initially farmed in the area for some time. Charles had just turned four years old, when his 36-year-old mother, Annie died on the 29th October ’14 at Jamestown. Henry later remarried Sarah Campell (nee Croft) who was also widowed following the tragic death of her first husband at a Perth Brewery, when overcome with fumes from a vat.
Initially Charles attended the local Spalding Primary School before his father moved to Clare in ’27 to become a business owner as a restaurateur. In the evenings Charles would return to the family to catch up with his siblings. It was while his father was operating the restaurant business that 19-year-old Charlie and the Page family were involved in a disastrous fire that destroyed theirs and three other businesses in the Main Street of Clare in February ’30. The shops were two restaurants, a saddler and combined draper and grocery business. It appeared that the fire started in Henry Page’s restaurant in the early hours of the morning, with flames being seeing through Page’s window. Despite valiant efforts by locals passing buckets of water to men on the roofs to combat the flames, prior to the arrival of the Clare Fire-fighting Association, the businesses were destroyed. One volunteer, standing on the roof was fortunate to escaped with a few abrasions when he fell through a skylight. Hartley, his father, and brothers were able to save some of the furniture from the back room and had insurance of £400 on the stock and furniture. Charles, Rod and Hartley and a cousin had previously been playing euchre in the back room of the business prior to their father locking up the shop late the previous night. Their sister Ruth had also been working there. Members of all the businesses and their families were interviewed but a cause of the fire could not be determined.
In an expensive foray during the ‘30’s Depression Years, Charles and a friend sought to add to the evening meal by stealing and killing three fowls from a local. Unfortunately, the boys were apprehended and received a large fine of each £5 and costs £2/13/9 (or in default, 14 days imprisonment). Five months later, Charles was again before the Clare Court for attempting to obtain rations in breach of the Unemployment Relief Laws. Another hefty fine of £5, and costs 25/- ensued. Two years later, Charles and his father were both charged with having unregistered firearms and each being fined 5/- and 25/- costs.
With the outbreak of WWII, and the promise of a regular pay, plus adventure overseas, Roderick was the first of the brothers to enlist on the 19th June ’40 SX5798, Charles on the 6th July ’40 SX8218 and Hartley enlisted on the 17th July 1940 at Wayville in what is now the Adelaide Showgrounds. From there, the new enlistees moved to Woodside in the Adelaide Hills to continue their training. All the brothers were allocated to the 2/48th Battalion.
Following pre-embarkation leave their Battalion sailed on the Stratheden in November 1940, arriving on the 17th December in the Middle East. Conditions in Tobruk were certainly a contrast to the tranquillity and greenness of the Clare district. The 2/48th Battalion was soon involved in the fierce fighting to retain Tobruk as a strategic position.
The Northern Argus in early June ‘41 broke the news that a telegram, received in Clare from the Minister of the Army on behalf of the Military Board, carried the news that Rod and then Corporal Clift Brebner were both missing on active service abroad. It was hypothesised that both had been taken prisoner of war. The newspaper summarised Rod as being ‘the eldest of three brothers who enlisted in the same unit of the A.I.F. and were inseparable companions until recently when Rod became separated from Privates Charles and Hartley Page, when he was allocated the duties of guarding towns and Italian prisoners in the campaign in Libya.’
By January the following year, Rod had managed to send a post card to his father and sisters, Vera and Ruth. It was obvious that little news had been received from home and that Rod was concerned about his younger brothers as he asked for news about how Charlie and Hartley were getting on. A further card was received in August with the Northern Argus reporting the added news that both Charles and Hartley were still in Egypt.
Charlie and Hartley were welcomed home in March ’42 in the Clare Town Hall. The Argus reported that ‘Everyone knows what many of these men have accomplished on active service abroad in Libya, Tobruk, Greece, Crete, Syria and elsewhere. They are assured of a generous welcome.’ A social and dance was followed by supper in the crowded Hall.
By November ‘43, Charles’ parents received the news that youngest son, Hartley, serving in New Guinea, had again been wounded in action but had chosen to remain on duty. The Northern Argus also added that ‘He with his brother, Private Charley Page, A.I.F., returned about 15 months ago from the Middle East campaigns, and their brother Private Rod Page was taken prisoner at the time of the Battle for Greece and Crete, and has remained a prisoner m a German stalag ever since.’
Whilst Charlie and Hartley were still overseas, their 81-year-old stepmother, Sarah, who had been unwell for some time, died. The Northern Argus gave a detailed tribute in their April ’44 publication. ‘Mrs. Henry Page, of Burton Street, Clare, who passed away last week at the age of 81 years after ailing for some time, was greatly helped for years and prior to her last illness by the members of the Clare Salvation Army. Every now and then as members of the staff of the 'Northern Argus' passed homewards along Burton Street, they would hear hymns being sung of an evening round the bedside. Mrs. Page had three step-sons, Private Rod Page, A.I.F. (a prisoner of war in Germany, captured in Greece after three strenuous efforts to swim away and escape); Privates Charley and Hartley Page, who returned after strenuous campaigns in the Middle East and have since been in Northern battle zones.’
Rod’s 71-year-old father had wasted no time in marrying for the third time just five months after Sarah’s death. It was a third marriage for both Henry and Annie Clark. Coincidentally, both also had their three sons serving in the AIF.
Charles returned to Adelaide where he was discharged in March 45, having spent some time in hospital. He was devastated when his youngest brother, 34-year-old Hartley ran out of good fortune. Having been wounded three times, and as the war was coming to an end, Hartley was killed in action at Tarakan in Borneo on the 15th May ’45, almost five years after first enlisting. Charles, who was with him in the North Africa campaigns, had fought alongside at Tobruk, in Syria, and at the famous rout of the German and Italian Armies at El Alamein. At the time of Hartley’s death, John Glenn in Tobruk to Tarakan recorded that ‘Strong patrols probed the north, east and west during the next few days. By 13th May our troops had occupied the prominent features of Flute, Esmie, Ossie and Dorry. Reports from our own patrols and from those of other units gave every indication that the enemy was withdrawing to the Freda ridge, where it seemed most probable, he would make a stand. This particular ridge consisted of four knolls, separated from one another by a low saddle, completely covered by dense jungle. To the 2/48th fell the task of capturing these features.’ It was during this assault that Hartley was killed.
Soon after, Diver Derrick, Victoria Cross recipient, was also to lose his life.
Just days later, on the 31st May ’45 the Northern Argus shared long wished for news; ‘After the death in action against the Japs of Pte Hartley Page (34) of the A.I.F. reported in our last issue, the son of Mr. H: Page and the late Mrs. Annie Page, of Burton Street, Clare, news of the whereabouts of his other son — Sgt. Rod Page, A.I.F., who has been a prisoner of war in Germany for over four years, since being taken prisoner in the campaign in Greece, was received by Mr. Page last week-end to say that Rod was safe in England. The cablegram reads: — 'Arrived England Plane. Safe. Everything O.K. — Rod Page.' Mr. Page and his family were elated to hear about this after no news from Rod since last January. Mr. Page said they were getting very anxious at no news. One weekend they had bad news in the loss of one son; and the next week-end — good news that the other son was safe. Rod is 37 years of age and has kept his chin-up under all conditions while a prisoner, and previous letters indicate he was cheerful, in good health and reminded his people not to worry.’
On Charlie’s behalf, the family placed a tribute in the Advertiser on Monday 21 May 1945, ‘PAGE, SX9122.—On May 15, at Tarakan. Hartley, dearly beloved youngest son of Henry and the late Annie, and brother of Rod. P.0.W. Germany Vera, Charles and Ruth. We hoped for his safe return And longed to clasp his hand; But God postponed that meeting. It will be in a better land. —Inserted by his loving father and stepmother, Clare.’
By August, ’45 the Northern Argus excitedly welcomed Rod home. Patriotic fervor unparalleled in the 103 years' history of Clare marked the VP Celebrations on Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 15th and 16th to celebrate the end of the war and the unconditional surrender of the Japanese. The town band turned out to play and excited children thronged the town. The bells of Peace rang out as the Mayor of Clare said a few words and welcomed all returned men. Private Charles Page was in the extensive list of those invited to attend.
To further complicate the family’s emotions, ‘official news was received that Charles, a "Tobruk Rat" with 3 years’ service in the Middle East, and over 2 years in Northern battle zones, recently demobilised who had returned from the conflict, had died on Nov. 13th in the Royal Adelaide Hospital.’ A cheque was forwarded to Henry for £1/2/10, in final settlement of rehabilitation allowances being paid by the Department of Social Services to the late Charles Page. All hospital expenses incurred by him, are being paid by this Department. Charles had been ill in Adelaide Hospital but recovered and was working at the West End Brewery. A mistake had been made confusing him with a different Charlie Page. The misunderstanding was soon dispersed by Charlie’s sister, Ruth Siviour, living at Loveday, investigating. She then sent a telegram to Henry ‘CHARLES WELL TALKING TO HIM ON PHONE YESTERDAY." A Clare resident who was in Adelaide the previous week had also seen Charley working at the West End Brewery and asked him if he was coming "home for Xmas. Charley, much alive, replied: —"No! There's More Beer Down this Way!" In reality, the dead man was another Charley Page, of Norwood. Henry forwarded the cheque to Charlie who delighted in returning it to the Department in person, and thus assure them that he was still in the land of the living.
Charlie lived to be 62. He died on the 22nd September ’71 and is buried at Centennial Park. A plaque in his memory is in the Columbarium, Wall 13 Niche A019.
Each year Charlie and Rod paid tribute to their brother who had not returned.
Advertiser Wednesday 15 May 1946, PAGE. SX9122. A.I.F.—In loving memory of Hood, killed In action at Tarakan, May 15. Memory is a golden chain That links us till we meet again. —Ever remembered by Rod and Charley.
Advertiser Thursday 15 May 1947, PAGE – In loving memory of Hood, killed Tarakan May 15, 1945. To be with us in the same old way would be our dearest wish today. Ever remembered by Rod, Chas.
Advertiser Saturday 15 May 1948, PAGE. —In loving memory of Hood, killed at Tarakan, May 15, 1945. — Ever remembered by Rod and Chas.
Advertiser Saturday 14 May 1949, PAGE. —In loving memory of Hartley, killed at Tarakan, May 15. He lives in our hearts forever: —Always remembered by Vera, Roy, Ron and David.
Advertiser Monday 15 May 1950, PAGE. — In loving memory of Hood killed In action. — Ever remembered by Rod and Chas.
Advertiser Tuesday 15 May 1951 PAGE. — In loving memory of Hood killed Tarakan. May I5 1945. — Always remembered by Rod and Chas.
Advertiser Thursday 15 May 1952, PAGE. — In loving memory of Hood, killed Tarakan. May I5 1945. — Always remembered by Rod and Chas.
Advertiser Friday 15 May 1953, PAGE. — In loving memory of Hood, killed May 15. 1945.— Ever remembered by Rod and Chas.
Advertiser Saturday 15 May 1954, PAGE. — In loving memory of Hood, killed May 15. 1945.— Ever remembered by Rod and Chas.
Written and researched by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133 2/48th Battalion.