Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Ivan was a Christmas baby, born on the 25th December 1915 at Unley. He was one of eight children including Lance, Betty, Leo, Glen, Iris, Bob and Gwenda. His father, Gordon Braidwood was the licencee of the Wheelwright’s Arms hotel in Roper Street, Adelaide. The year after Ivan’s birth, Adelaide brought in early closing for pubs (also locally called the ‘six o’clock swill’ for the pressure drinking which resulted). This action obviously caused a huge financial deficit for the family, which probably also contributed to Gordon overlooking the requirement to enrol on the Commonwealth Electoral Roll in 1919, attracting a fine that stretched the family’s income even more.
Ivan’s mother, Iris Victoria died in 1934 when he was 19. When WWII broke out five years later, Ivan enlisted in Adelaide in July of 1940, aged 24 to become SX8128 and a member of the newly formed 2/48th battalion. He rose to become a Lance Corporal and while home on leave in April 1944 announced his engagement to Rhoda McElligott. They married towards the end of the war at the Holy Trinity Church in January 1945. Ivan was finally discharged on the 5th October 1945 just prior to the birth of his first daughter, Barbara Faye who was born a month later. Their family continued to grow with their next daughter arriving in February 1949.
Ivan’s father Gordon lived to enjoy these grandchildren but died aged 62 in July of 1953
Ivan died on the 1st August 1988, just shy of his 73rd birthday. A memorial plaque in his honour is at Centennial Park.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133 2/48th Battalion