Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Roy’s father James, after whom he was named, serve in WWI as 12197, initially as a Gunner, then as a Driver with the 6th Field Artillery Brigade. James was 25 and single when he enlisted, having been a gardener at Houghton, in the Adeliade Hills. He had several stints serving in France, including at Etaples in June 1916 and again in January 1918. Despite several stints in hospital, James returned home at the end of the war on the 29th May 1919. He married Vera Emily, with Roy being their first child, born in Fremantle, Western Australia on the 24th November1921 (although later at enlistment Roy suggested his birth year was 1919).
Roy was the first of nine children in the family, including Doreen, Hilda, Helen, Kevin, Ross Des and Josie. The family had moved to Waikerie in the Riverland where they attended the local school and were actively involved in tree planting on Arbour Days along Pflaum Terrace and Lawrie Terrace, before enjoying a half day holiday. They also celebrated Empire Day and were actively involved in concerts and sport.
Roy was part of the school cohort, who at the end of 1935 were praised for being part of the students who had successfully gained their Qualifying Certificate. For the previous twelve years the school had a 100% success rate – a commendable achievement. That year, Roy was also presented a Certificate for his achievements. In a stirring speech the students were encouraged to reflect on their abilities and to ask not "How well have I done?" but "What qualities of character have I developed in trying to do well?"
Post school, Roy gained work as a labourer but with the outbreak of WWII decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and enlist on the 6th July 1940, becoming SX8212 and placed in the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. He was liberal with giving his age, despite being only 18 he submitted that he was just two months off being 21 years old. At the same time, Walter Promnitz, a local shop assistant, also enlisted, becoming SX8094 and also being placed in the same battalion. Their lives and service were to be similar.
During initial training at Wayville (now the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds) Roy became unwell, convalescing at Kapara Home at Glenelg before re-joining his battalion at Woodside. The young men had brief pre-embarkation leave before boarding the Stratheden on the 7th November. Unfortunately, he contracted appendicitis and was admitted to hospital, which delayed his arrival in the Middle East until February the following year. Both Roy, Walter and the other young men were to face the dust, heat, flies and constant bombardment associated with war. Lord Haw Haw deriding the troops for their living conditions ‘like rats’ and leaflets being dropped urging the men to surrender. Instead, the derisive term, Rats of Tobruk was seized as a badge of honour, with the unofficial term proudly adopted. He served in Syria, Egypt and Libya.
A bout of tonsillitis in October ’42 had Roy hospitalised for almost month before he rejoined his battalion. Ironically, Roy escaped being injured in the fierce fighting but developed bronchial pneumonia, being hospitalised in the Scottish Hospital on the 28th December, 42 and died the following day.
Back home, the Murray Pioneer in January shared the sad news. ‘Waikerie's already long list of War Casualties has again been added to. General regret was felt when it became known that Mr. and Mrs. James Johns had received word that their eldest son Pte. Roy J. Johns had died of illness on active service. Pte. Johns enlisted in June 1940 when he was eighteen and a half years of age. He embarked for overseas in November of the same year and saw active service in Syria, Egypt and Libya. He was in Tobruk for eight months.’

Roy now rests in the Gaza War Memorial cemetery with others from New Zealand, Canada and Australia who died at a similar time. His remains are in Plot C, Row B and Grave 5. Parents James and Vera chose the inscription ‘His Duty Nobly Done’ for Roy’s headstone. His age, 21 was correctly recorded.
In the ensuing years, the family continued to mourn their son and brother.
Murray Pioneer Thursday 21 January 1943, JOHNS, Pte. Roy.—In memory of my dear brother, died of illness in Palestine, December 29, 1942, 2/48th Battalion. Midnight stars are shining On a grave so far away, Where they laid dear Roy, Just four years ago today. —Ever remembered by his loving sister Doreen. JOHNS, Pte. Roy.—In loving memory of my dear brother, who died of illness, Egypt, December 29, 1942. Though your smile has gone forever, And your hands I cannot touch, I will never forget the memories Of the one I loved so much. —Always remembered by your loving sister Hilda. JOHNS.—A tribute to the memory of my dear son Pte. Roy James Johns, who died of illness, Egypt, December 29, 1942. This day is a day of remembrance, A day I will never forget, The one I will always remember When the rest of the world forgets. I think of you in silence dear, With grief that is deep and true, There is always that sad longing. Could I only speak to you. —Always loved and longed for by your sad mother and father, sisters and brothers.
JOHNS.—In loving memory of Roy, who passed away December, 1942. When the golden sun is sinking And my heart from care is free, When of absent ones I am thinking, I always think of thee. —Always remembered by Dawn.
Advertiser Friday 29 December 1944, JOHNS.—A tribute to the memory of my dear son Pte. Roy James Johns, who died of illness. Egypt. December 29, 1942. It is hard to part with one I loved, but surely God knows best; He took my son from this earth and gave him peace and rest. Sweet are the hopes that again we shall meet, kneeling together at Jesu's feet. —Always remembered by his loving mother and father. JOHNS.—In loving memory of my dear brother Roy (AIF). who died in Palestine, December 29, 1942. What would I give his hand to clasp and his dear face to see, to hear again his loving voice which meant so much to me.—Remembered by his loving sister Doreen. JOHNS.—In loving memory of my brother Roy, died of illness. Egypt, December 29, 1942. There's a face that is always with me, there's a voice I would love to hear, there's a smile I will always remember of a brother I loved so dear. — Always remembered by loving sister Hilda. JOHNS.—In loving memory of our dear brother Roy, passed away December 29, 1942. A face, a heart of gold, the dearest brother this world could hold. —Inserted by loving brothers and sisters, Helen, Kev, Ross. Des and -Josie.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.