Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Wilfred (Wilf) was the second generation of his family to be born in Robe. He was the last and eleventh child of parents James Francis and Ellen Moonlight Backler, arriving on the 12th April 1912. Wilf’s siblings including Alexander Henry, Elizabeth Melva, Alison Veitch, Thomas Roy, James Godfrey, Gwendoline Ellen, Clarence Bede, John Francis, Allan Kerr and Joyce.
Wilf’s father James, also one of eleven children, spent his entire life in Robe, working for the Lea Family as a gardener at ‘The Hermitage.’ He also cared for the local War Memorial Gardens – a task close to his heart as two of his sons, Godfrey and Alex both served in WWI. Wilf was a small child of four when Alex enlisted in October 1916 as 6729. He sailed to England, disembarking at Plymouth with the 10th Battalion before travelling to France for the offensive in Ypres. Alex received a shrapnel wound to his shoulder but following treatment, returned to fight in the Battle of Amiens. By September 1918 he was reported wounded and taken as a German POW, being held in Frankfurt. He was finally released in England in December 1918.
The second brother, James Godfrey 3662 joined the 8th Pioneer Battalion in February 1917 as an 18-year-old. Being under 21, he required his parents’ written permission. He was also wounded in France with a severe gunshot wound to his thigh, causing him to be hospitalised before eventually returning to Australia in ’19.
The tight-knit community were quick to support events to help those injured in WWI. An ‘old time’ Ball was held at Robe to raise funds for T.B. soldiers. During the evening several extra competitions were held, including a ‘fancy apron’ competition, with the exhibits then being sold. Lucky spot and lucky cap waltzes, balloon competitions and a variety of guessing games were also featured. Wilf was the winner of a tray cloth with that competition raising £3 12/6.
The Backler children attended the local Robe school. Schools from the area would quite regularly join for a combined Schools’ picnic with others from Naracoorte, Kybybolite, Hynam, Lucindale, Avenue Range, Stewart's Range and the Kingscote area. The students would similarly be involved in submitting work in the local Show Competition with Robe, Blackford, Beachport and Mount Benson schools competing for prizes. Aged 10, Wilf was a successful exhibitor for his Robe school.
Wilf was 21 when his older brother, Allan died in September ’38. Allan had endured chronic nerve pain since his teen years but was always interested in the Robe community and where possible, being involved in light occupations. He was buried in the local Robe Cemetery which was to later become the last resting place for many of the family.
Several local young men enjoyed holiday camping in the scrub out from Robe in June ‘37, including Constable McInnes, Bob Hall, Wilf and Eric Dawson (who later enlisted as SX18775). One week-long camp was held on William Pinches’ Station, where the men camped in an old boundary rider's hut. A find of considerable interest was made by McInnes. It was a half an inch long embryo kangaroo which he bottled and took to Adelaide, presenting this to Professor Wood-Jones at the University. The Professor was delighted, claiming that the joey was not born on the teat and was therefore a valuable scientific find.
Post school Wilf worked as a shop assistant until the outbreak of WWII. In a bid to encourage fit, single young men to volunteer, the army targeted country areas, including Robe, where Captain Harrington in the first week managed to attract 23 young men. At the time several of Wilf’s friends from the area also enlisted with many being placed in the 2/48th Battalion, as was Wilf as SX8148. Others included SX8147 Peter (Herbert) Banks, SX7494 Steve Hayes, SX8370 Ted Martin, SX7690 Fredrick Serle, SX8163 Menpes Tonkin, SX7689 Jack Wakeman and SX7688 William Westland. Not all returned home. (William Westland was killed in action on the 1st May, ’41 soon after they arrived in the Middle East.) Many of these men were influenced by Jack Wakeman, a competent horseman, and squadron Sergeant Major of the local 3rd Light Horse Regiment. Almost half of the troop enlisted for service.
(Wilf’s older brother, Clarence enlisted in May ’40 as SX3931 and served overseas with the 2/3rd Corps Field Company in the Middle East from July ’41 to March ’43. He was discharged in June ’43.)
Aged 28 Wilf enlisted to serve the following month on the 24th June 1940. The men’s initial days were spent in the cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds. The new enlistees then headed to Woodside for their preliminary training. Early in July ‘40, a social was arranged by the local Patriotic Council with games and competitions, including a Ladies vs Gents question bee, convincingly won by the ladies. At that time a war savings group had been formed with children encouraged to subscribe to War Saving Certificates, a move that had already raised £2,000. The young students were also energetically supporting an appeal for clothing for refugee children, scrap metal, waste-paper, and knitting articles for the Red Cross.
At the start of November, the enlisted men returned home on pre-embarkation leave and to be honoured with the Robe Hall filled to capacity for a farewell social to the 2/48th men. As they approached the stage, the men were given a rousing reception as they were individually introduced and praised as ‘those who were prepared to risk their all for their King and country.’ Parcels were handed to the soldiers from the local Patriotic Council and C.W.A. Knitting Circle, with the best wishes of all for a speedy victory and safe return. Private Wilf on behalf of the men, in response paid high tribute to the work of women folk in the war. The singing "For They Are Jolly Good Fellows" was followed by Supper and dancing interspersed with items and community singing. Finally "Auld Lang Syne" and the National Anthem brought the function to conclusion.
Following this pre-embarkation leave, the 2/48th contingent embarked on the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 7th November 1940, arriving on the 19th December 1940. Wilf was unfortunate to injure his foot in July ’41 but after receiving treatment was able to return to his battalion. Just months later, Wilf learned of the death of his 73-year-old father in October ’41 at the family home and that he had been buried in the Robe Cemetery with his son, Allan.
Wilf developed a Peptic ulcer Nov ’42 which may well have been due to the army diet and conditions of war. He was promoted to the role of Acting Corporal in December before returning home via Melbourne on leave. By January his role as Corporal was confirmed but more important events unfolded first.
Back home on leave, Wilf married Dorris Anna (Doll) Dawson on the 6th March ’43 in the St Peters church at Robe. With many close friends also home on leave, Wilf chose his ushers from the 2/48th Battalion. They were Cpl. Forrest Harold (Lal) SX9637 and SX8147 Pte. P. Herbert Peter Banks. (Cpl Forrest was later Killed in Action in June ’45 at Tarakan.) The ceremony was also completed with a guard of honour of members of the W.A.A.A.F. and V.D.C. Many fellow soldiers from the 2/48th Battalion, also formed an arch of crossed bayonets from the church to the newlywed’s car. These included SX38149 Lieut. John Hansford, SX8147 Cpl. Lal. Banks, SX12383 Cpl. Henry Sneath, Ptes. SX2761 Francis Ryan, SX2789 Patrick Ryan, SX9478 Charles Wallace, SX8147 Peter Banks and SX7689 Jack Wakeman). SX8163 Menpes Tonkin was chosen as Wilf’s best man. Menpes parents also provided the venue for the reception at their home, Karatta House.
A few hours of being AWOL in April ’43 preceded Wilf heading to Queensland for training to face a very different enemy in the tropical conditions of New Guinea. He arrived in Milne Bay in August ’43 but soon after was diagnosed with chronic dyspepsia. This may well have contributed to him receiving a severe reprimand at the end of ’44 for being wilfully defiant in in his reaction to a command given by his superior officer. Regardless, he was fortunate in that his years of service concluded in October ’45.
Post War, Wilf enjoyed being successfully involved in golf. Aged 65 Wilf died on the 20th February ’78. He is buried in the Robe Cemetery plot 101. Dorris Anna (Doll) lived to be 83. She died on the 29th May 1996 and now rests with Wilfred.
Written and researched by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.