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A Challenging Life

Max was born in the mid-north town of Orroroo on the 1st October 1909 to Thomas Scott and Gertrude Mary Wolter. He was the oldest of two sons, with a younger brother, Thomas Charles.

Thomas as a schoolboy was hailed as a hero for attempting to save a school mate from drowning in the Little Para River in September ’23. He was in a small group of boys attempting to catch fresh oranges carried on the floodwaters. One young lad fell in, with Thomas immediately jumping in to grasp the struggling boy, but in the strong current was forced to release his hold, collapsing with the effort. Thomas was later presented with a gold medal and bar inscribed "For bravery to Thomas C. Wolter from residents of Salisbury." On an attached purple ribbon were the words "In remembrance, September 22."

Tom later married and became a baker at Macclesfield. Distressingly, he died aged 25 on 11th February 1936 with an inquest concluding that this was by his own hand. He was buried in the Macclesfield Cemetery.

As a student, Max attended the Renmark West School, then worked as a labourer with the Municipal Council, being regarded as a good, reliable worker. He played both football and cricket for Macclesfield, being very handy with the bat. In ’34 he was awarded a gold medal for being the best and fairest in the Maccie’s football team.

As a young man, Max lived in Myponga where he was extremely fortunate to survive a lorry truck in which he was travelling, ploughed through a fence and overturned on New Year’s Day ‘35. He was one of eight other picnickers, including local dairy farmers, who were thrown onto the road. The lorry was descending Nettle’s Hill out of Victor Harbor when the accident occurred. Sadly, a little four-year-old girl was killed and the others hospitalised.

Esther Alma Patey was the second youngest of ten children who lived in Renmark. Her 62-year-old father had died in December ’26 leaving her widowed mother to look after the young family. Max and Esther married on the 21st August ’37 in the Renmark St Augustine Church. In May ’40 they welcomed their son, Raymond Scott.

However, war intervened and there was a constant call for volunteers. Max’s close friend and cousin, 27-year-old John (Jack) Price had enlisted on the 11th November ’39 as SX940 and was allocated to the 2/10th Battalion. Eight months later he was killed in action in Libya on the 3rd August ’41 and was later buried in the Tobruk War Cemetery.

Jack was probably the inspiration for 30-year-old Max to also enlist on the 6th July ’40. He was allocated the number SX8182 and placed in the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. He and the other new enlistees soon headed to Woodside for intensive training. They enjoyed brief pre-embarkation leave before boarding the Stratheden on the 7th November ’40 sailing to the Middle East. On arrival on the 17th December, Max was graded as a Group III Driver Mechanic.

Less than two years later23-year-old Esther died in the Renmark Hospital in February ’42 whilst Max was still serving overseas. It was a traumatic time for both the Patey and Wolter families who received much support from the local community in Max’s absence in Palestine. Ester was laid to rest in the Renmark Cemetery, having been carried by pallbearers Privates J. Casey and M. Jones both (A.I.F.), Messrs. P. Ruediger and D. F. Winder.

The Advertiser carried tributes from Esther and Max’s families.

WOLTER. —On February 16 at the Renmark Hospital. Esther Wolter (nee Esther Patey) loving wife of Maxwell Wolter A.I.F- Abroad and daughter in-law of Mr. and Mrs. T. S. Wolter. of Renmark. WOLTER- —On February 16 at the Renmark Hospital. Esther Wolter (nee Esther Patey), loving wife of Maxwell Wolter (AIF. Abroad) Sufferer at rest.

The flag over the Renmark R.S.L. Clubroom flew at half mast, as a mark of respect for Esther’s death, wife of Driver Maxwell Scott Wolter (A.I.F., Abroad).

Young Raymond then went to live with his Aunt Mabel Williams, Esther’s sister. At the time, Mabel’s husband, Pte. Jack Williams, was also serving overseas as SX14080 in the 27th Infantry Battalion.

Driver Wolter was in charge of a Bren gun for some time. In June, he sustained a severe lower back injury, that was eventually deemed to be sustained in a carrier and were entirely as a result of an accident. Apart from the severe injury, Max also suffered from shock and was hospitalised. A week later he returned to his battalion.

The following month, Mabel was notified that Driver Scot Maxwell Wolter was wounded in action while serving overseas on July 20th. He sustained bomb fragments to both his right thigh and left forearm and chest, again causing him to be treated in a sick convoy. These injuries were sustained during the attack on Tel El Eisa when the carriers were ordered out to take some of the fire. Unfortunately, in doing so, they were forced on to a German minefield by the intense anti-tank fire, resulting in casualties.

Max was in hospital for some while before again being wounded. In a newspaper report a summary was given that Max ‘has about two years' service to his credit and served in Tobruk for eight months. He also saw service in Libya and Syria. He was one of the Australians selected as escort to the Duke of Gloucester when he was in the Near East some while back. Driver Wolter's parents live in the settlement’ at Renmark.

Max’s injuries resulted in him relinquishing his role as a Driver Mechanic, becoming a Group III Clerk towards the end of December ’42.

 Communities at the time created many varied competitions as fund raisers. The Renmark Mothers and Babies Health Association conducted a Popular Boy Competition that month. Esther’s son Raymond, the youngest participant, was entered. Little Raymond Wolter filled second place with 12,456 votes, raising £51/18/ of a final total of £231/18/4.

At the time, Max’s 2/48th Battalion was readying to return to Australia via Melbourne at the start of February, ’43, disembarking on the 25th . Cruelly, young Raymond, aged two years and nine months, died in the Renmark Hospital after a short illness on the 18th February.

To add to the inconceivable loss, Esther and Max’s little two-year-old son, Raymond, was just two years old when he died the following year in February ’43. Mother and son now rest together in the Renmark Cemetery.

Max was transferred to the Defence Canteen Services.

The Murray Pioneer was a leader in interviewing returned servicemen and presenting the human face of these young men to readers. Sgt Roger Jacka, a recipient of the Military Medal at El Alamein when interviewed in September ’43, chose to also talk about his fellow Renmark soldiers and the nurses who cared for the wounded. He commented that “Driver Max Wolter was a jolly good fellow too." Then added, "All the Renmark boys serving were a credit to the town, but I will go further and say that all the River boys were fine soldiers, and our battalion did its duty.”

While serving in Queensland, Max was promoted to Acting Corporal. He also met Townsville-born Dulcie Joan Peut. Dulcie had enlisted as a 19-year-old to serve in the Australian Women’s Army Service (A.W.A.S) as QF 267368 on the 30th December ’42. The two married on the 6th May ’44 in the St Mary’s Church of England at Atherton. Prior to the ceremony, friends of each had individually given parties at which the bride and groom were presented with a wallet of notes. Dulcie’s sister and friends in the A.W.A.S. had decorated the church. Max chose Sergeant Fysh and Corporal Rea with whom he had served overseas, as his best man and groomsman. Dulcie also chose two of her fellow servicewomen, Pte Dulcie Heidke and Patricia Curran as her bridesmaids. The two were able to have precious time for a honeymoon at Dulcie’s family home at Leslew Downs, Richmond. In a poignant gesture, the wedding bouquet and floral decorations were taken to the cemetery and placed on soldiers’ graves.

The back injury Max sustained in the Middle East continued to make life challenging for him, resulting in hospitalised to treat the fractured lumbar vertebrae. By this stage Max had received a further promotion to Corporal, but his back health eventually contributed to his change in medical classification. Despite this, the highlight for both Max and Dulcie was the arrival of their first child, a daughter, Ann Mary Edith, who was born at Atherton in January ’45, just prior to Max finally being discharged on the 19th September. Max’s body showed the effects of his war with the fingers of his left hand, perforated ear drums that had healed, arthritis in his lower spine and multiple gunshot wounds to his limbs and back. He was extremely fortunate to survive.

The Murray Pioneer delightedly reported in October ’45 that ‘Cpl. Max Wolter, who has been stationed in Queensland for some considerable time, has been discharged from the AIF under the five-year plan, and has now returned to reside in Renmark. Last year he was married to a young lady from Queensland, and she has come to make her home at Renmark.-

The family continued to visit Dulcie’s Queensland family, travelling by train from Renmark to have Christmas with Dulcie’s parents. Max and Dulcie added two more children, Ian Scott and Maxine Joan.

As promised, Max continued to remember his cousin who had made the ultimate sacrifice at Tobruk.

Murray Pioneer Thursday 5 August 1943, page 5 PRICE—In loving memory of my cousin and best pal, Jack K. Price, who lost his life at Tobruk on August 3rd, 1941. Not just today, but every day I will remember . —Inserted by Max Wolter, A.I.F. Returned.

Advertiser Tuesday 3 August 1948 PRICE, Pte. J. K.—ln memory of Jack, killed Tobruk. August 3.—Remembered by Max Wolter.

Advertiser Wednesday 3 August 1949 PRICE. —In memory of Jack, killed in action Tobruk. August 3. Ever remembered by Max Wolter.

Advertiser Thursday 3 August 1950 PRICE, J. K., who was killed In action. Tobruk. August 3. 1941. — Re-membered by Max Wolter.

Advertiser Friday 3 August 1951 PRICE. J. K.— In memory of Jack, killed in action. Tobruk. August 3. 1941. Always remembered by Max.

Advertiser Saturday 2 August 1952, PRICE. J. K. — In memory of Jack, killed Tobruk. August 3. 1941.— Ever remembered by Max Wolter.

Post war, Max also became an active member and Secretary of the Renmark Picnic races ‘46

Aged 91, Max died on the 25th February 2001 and was buried in the Garden of Memory Cemetery at Barmera. Catholic Section G.O.M Section I Niche 14 R.B. Aged 89, Dulcie died on the 16th April 2012 and is buried nearby.

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