Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Reginald (Reg) was the third generation of Seebohms to live in the Tantanoola area. His paternal grandfather, William was one of the first European families to settle in the region with Reg’s father, Edward Douglas being one of six sons and four daughters. Edward (Ted) married Alice Guerin with the couple having seven children. Reg, born on the 22nd January 1906, was the second of four sons, Herbert Edward, Reg, Clarence (Clarry) John, Jack and having three sisters, Rene, Kath, and Sheila. The children all attended the Millicent School
Aged 15 Reg proved to be an accurate shot at the Tantanoola Gun Club meeting at the commencement of the season. He was a clear winner with a maximum of 10 kills for his trophy win. He also proved to be a talented footballer playing for the Tantanoola team. In the first match of the ’26 season against Millicent Blues, the South Eastern Times reported that ‘Tantanoola were much the heavier team, and their marking and kicking were superior to. that of their more nimble opponents. Reg. Seebohm, their centre man, was the most conspicuous in the air.’ Inevitably, reg was named as best on ground. This form typified Reg’s ability and his ability to be a solid worker on the field frequently sew him named in the best player list. The following year Reg was appointed as Captain of the Millicent team. He was known as "Gun Alley" both for his shooting accuracy and football skills.
His spectacular leaping on the field also saw Reg winning the high jump in the Tantanoola Anzac Day Sporting competitions of 1930. By this stage Reg was tendering for and gaining contracts with the local council, including clearing drains at roads prone to flooding. He capably turned his hand to most tasks.
Reg’s father, Ted was also an active worker but when Reg was 28, his father was breaking in a young horse when it bolted. Unfortunately, the cart hit a pile of stones on the side of the road and overturned. Ted was taken to the Millicent Thyne Hospital with a broken collarbone, three broken ribs and a badly-crushed shoulder. Just two years later In November ’36 Ted was returning from the Tantanoola cheese factory with a cart load of milk cans when his horse shied at something in a drain, colliding with a horse drawn lorry coming in the opposite direction. Ted’s cart was overturned, throwing him heavily on to the road. Another bout of hospitalisation revealed a broken shoulder blade and abrasions.
Reg’s brother, Herbert (born in October 1899) had enlisted as an 18-year-old to serve in WWI with the 43rd Battalion, fighting in France and contracted influenza, causing him to be hospitalised. Unfortunately, he appeared to have lost both his discharge papers and returned service badge which would have helped the labourer to gain employment, particularly during the Depression years. With WWII erupting he again offered his service on the 2nd October ‘39, amending his birthdate to 1900 and his age as 39 years 11 months. He was allocated to the 4th Garrison battalion as S212442. He was discharged on the 29th February ‘40 with his papers recording ‘Considered his services are no longer required’. He then enlisted on the 14th March ’40 aged 40 as S212800, but was discharged on June 20th that year with his papers again recording that ‘his services are no longer required’. In his third attempt on the 1st March ’40 Herbert changed his date of birth to a more youthful 34 year old and a birth date of 1906. The then rabbit trapper claimed to have no previous service and became SX1914 with the 2nd AIF but was discharged on the 14th March because of ‘False Attestation’ His last attempt saw him become SX5759.
In the meantime, just after his 34th birthday, Reg enlisted on the 6th July ’40. He was allocated the number SX8177 and placed in the 2/48th Battalion. His initial days were spent in the cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds, before he and other new enlistees headed to Woodside for their preliminary training.
By September ’40 the local paper reported Reg’s brother Herbert being home on leave. Adding that ‘Private Seebohm, who was on active service in the last war, had a long period on garrison duty before joining the second A.I.F. He is with the second 43rd battalion. His brother Reg ("Gun Alley") Seebohm, of football fame, is also in camp at Wayville.’
Just prior to Christmas, Reg headed home on a week’s pre-embarkation leave. In typical country fashion, a social was organised at the local Institute Hall for a valedictory and reception celebration. The men honoured included a number who enlisted at a similar time to Reg, with several also being in the 2/48th Battalion including, Arthur Bonshor SX8877, Peter McArthur SX8879, Jim and Malcolm Sutherland (who were SX8881 and SX8882 respectively) and Gerald Bellinger SX8878. The Hall was at capacity and was the largest gathering of relatives and friends held at Millicent since the war began. The South Eastern Times reported that ‘The guests entered the hall between a guard of honor formed by members of the returned soldiers' volunteer defence corps, while over 300 residents of the town and district stood to receive them.’
In an eulogistic speech the chairman declared that the young men ‘would make the Italians run faster and would give Hitler all he was looking for. The British Empire could not be beaten. Victory was in sight, and their airmen would soon be dropping two bombs for Hitler's one. Their guests that night were "fighting fit," and were a credit to Millicent and to the country they would represent overseas. The news of the retreat of the "Dagoes" was very heartening, but victory over them would not win the war. Britain was fighting practically alone for the preservation of democracy, and her peril was such that a 100 per cent, war effort was necessary to pull her through. Australia would have to do much more than was being done at present. Sixty thousand tons of British shipping had been sunk every week since the war began, all loaded with foodstuffs and supplies for Britain and her armies. If that were not stopped, God help Australia and the democracies. Their guests would help to stop it.’ Additional comments were made that ‘the men of the second A.I.F. would carry the torch high, and not allow it to be extinguished by Hitler. They would crush the false gods of Hitlerism and his demons of lust, and cruelty, and avarice. The experiences of countries overpowered by the Nazi hordes showed clearly that the issue for Australia was victory or slavery. The guests were descendants of a hardy, adventurous race, who came out in leaking sailing ships and wrested prosperity from a wilderness. They had the same grit and courage and would fight Hitler to the last ditch. When, in due course, they returned to Australia, they would find here a strong organisation of men of the old A.I.F. who would stand, by them through thick and thin.’ It was a stirring evening of speeches.
The Country Women’s’ Association presented the young men with a parcel of comforts, while the Millicent Council presented them with pocket wallets. Malcolm Sutherland, on behalf of the men, made a speech in thanks to the community for their support. Soon after Private John Seebohm joined the AIF and was the third of Ted’s children to enlist. He was farewelled in October ’41.
Following pre-embarkation leave Reg and his fellow 2/48th Battalion young men, headed to the Middle East where the dust, flies, heat, minimal water supplies and constant bombardment were quite a challenge to these fresh new enlistees. Reg was quite severely wounded and spent considerable time in hospital before finally being able to return home.
Early in May ’43 a huge gathering, organised by the Red Cross ladies, welcomed Reg home from the Middle East. ‘As the guest entered the Hall a guard of honour was formed, and he was greeted with "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow." After the singing of the National Anthem, and the "Song of Australia", morning tea was served.’ Numerous speeches were made before Reg responded and “spoke very highly of the work the Red Cross was doing, and said he found the Red Cross nurses most kind. Pte. R. Seebohm makes the third son of Mr. and Mrs. E Seebohm who has recently returned from abroad. He was in the Middle East for 16 months, and during that time he was unfortunate enough to spend 11 months in the hospital, owing to war injuries. However, he is looking fit again.’
Because of his injuries, Reg was discharged in November that year. This gave him precious time with his family. Alice his 75-year-old mother, died at Millicent on the 16th April ‘50 and his father, Edward died on August 26th 1951 at Millicent. Aged just 49 Reg died on 20th November ’55. A plaque commemorating his service is in the Port Lincoln Happy Valley Cemetery, Garden of Remembrance.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion