Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Frank was the oldest of three sons born in Bendigo to Fanny M. and Thomas Todd on the 25th March 1914. His brothers were and Melvin Andrew and Arville Thomas.
Frank grew up in the Riverland town of Berri in South Australia, attending the local school. The township included many soldier settlers from WWI, the end of the ‘War to end all Wars’. Locals celebrated the centenary in ’36 at Berri with a sports program, floats and a spectacular procession. Each businessman had decorated their shopfront and residents from all the towns along the Murray lined the streets. Brass bands preceded the cavalcade. Many children dressed up or made their own ’float’ with Frank’s home-made airliner and another entry of a bicycle built for two attracting most interest for their creativity. Arville was on a decorated bicycle.
Aged 24, Frank was working on the engines at the Toora Vale plant in October ’38 when a heavy piece of iron fell onto his head, requiring several stitches. Unfortunately for Frank there was no local Berri doctor, causing him to have to travel to Barmera to receive treatment. This was quite a bone of contention as for some time, the Berri Council had been trying, unsuccessfully, to finalize a local doctor. Frank’s injury gave even greater urgency for such an appointment.
With the outbreak of WWII and Just after his 26th birthday, Frank, an engine driver, travelled to Glossop in June ’40, then to Adelaide, formally enlisting on the 6th July 1940. He was given the number SX8119 in the 2/48th battalion. His youngest brother, 20-year-old Arville enlisted the following week as SX9384 and was delighted to be placed in the same Battalion.
Frank and Arville’s initial days were spent in the cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds, before they and other new enlistees headed to Woodside for their preliminary training.
Murray Farquhar in an early book Derrick VC marvelled at how widely young men came from to enlist, commenting that “Of course, the Upper Murray was well to the fore. Two companies, A and B would include many members from Waikerie, Barmera, Berri and Renmark. The Todd brothers, Frank and Arville; Ike Jenkinson (SX7997); Dank Pfeiffer (SX7242); Snagger Reid and Bill Westleigh (SX8010) joined Tom Derrick (SX7964) and Bill Milde (SX6862) on the same frantic train ride to Adelaide. Peter Anderson (SX7067) was also on board. So was a mere stripling, Wally Fennell (SX6832).”
Pre-embarkation leave prompted a huge crowd to gather at the Berri Rivoli Theatre to farewell the twenty-five local enlistees. It was a massive event, causing the main hall to be so crowded locals flowed up into the dress circle to watch the memorable proceedings. The evening was also combined with a farewell to a well-known local, a very active organiser and helper, Mrs. Knappstein, who coordinated farewell socials for newly enlisted soldiers. Of those farewelled were Frank and his brother, Arville with others from the 2/48th being SX8010 William C. Westley SX7278 Robert Tipper, SX7964 Tom (Diver) Derrick, SX8063 John Hood, SX7997 Harold R. Jenkinson, SX9562 Charles H. Butcher, SX7067 Peter M. Anderson, SX5218 Albert H. Smith, SX6832 Walter J. Fennell, SX8411 Allan R. Rix, SX7242 Paul A. Pfeiffer, SX7773 Samuel D. Parbs. Of these young men, Arville died of wounds on the 3rd July ’41, ‘Diver’ Derrick also died of wounds on the 24th May ’45 after being a VC recipient, and John Hood died of illness on the 4th September, ’43.
In his address to the young men, the chairman of the Soldiers' Farewell Committee commented that “although the spirit of adventure might have played some part in the enlistment of the boys, deep down in their heart there was the love of their country, and they as citizens of Berri were proud to do honour to the lads of the district who were with them that evening. It was the largest muster of men they had yet honoured at one time. It was noticed that many of the men on this occasion were members of the Berri Football Club. and among them was the captain, Jock Hood. The district wished them all well and would now look forward to their homecoming after a successful victory on the other side.” A presentation was made to each of the soldiers of a money belt, a £1 note, and a pair of socks from the Comforts Fund.
A representative from WWI also spoke saying They “all fully realized the boys were not going on a holiday and everybody appreciated the sentiments which prompted their enlistment. Remarks had been passed by the enemy about the "polyglot armies" of the Empire, but all he said was "God help them when they met that polyglot army". He assured the boys of the best wishes of all returned soldiers, who would look after, their interests while they were away.”
Whilst on pre-embarkation leave, Frank went absent without leave and incurred his first financial penalty. He and his fellow 2/48th Battalion boarded the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 7th November 1940 and disembarked on the 17th December. The 2/48th Battalion completing a few months training in Cyrenaica. The next stop was to Tobruk at the start of April 1941 where the dust, flies, heat, minimal water supplies and constant bombardment were quite a challenge to these fresh new enlistees. They were to become the famed Rats of Tobruk.
Frank learned of his brother’s wounding and death just two months later, on the 3rd July in quite freakish circumstances. Arville was just 21 years old. In his book Tobruk to Tarakan, John Glenn described how Post S9 came under constant fire because of its strategic position. It was occupied by 10 Platoon of B Company, under the command of Sergeant Wally Prior. Wally described how ‘On the third day of holding this post that a very fine soldier, Corporal Arvel (sic) Todd, was killed by a mortar fire by one of those million-to-one chances that happen in war. Corporal Todd had been on duty in the machine gun pit, and at about 8 a.m. was relieved by Private Bob Tipper. Arvel was returning down the concrete trench when a mortar broke through the flimsy covering and landed at his feet. He was severely wounded, and later died at the regimental Aid Post.” Arville’s record states that he received gunshot wounds to his right leg and arm.
Back home and days after receiving the news of Arville’s death, the middle brother, Melvin Andrew enlisted. A professional watchmaker, he was just days short of his 26th birthday. Unlike his other brothers who were allocated to the 2/48th Battalion, Melvin, SX13618 was allocated to the 2nd/9th Armoured Regiment, which later served in Borneo and Japan.
Back at the front, for Frank, the war continued. His background as an engine driver made him the perfect candidate to utilise these skills, soon undertaking a Driver Mechanic course followed by being a Group I Fitter. John Glenn commented on the creative skills of Frank and the B Echelon men. ‘The motor transport was constantly in need of repair because of the abnormal conditions for which it was used. An Italian mobile workshop had been spotted on the Derna-side aerodrome, and this had been ‘scrounged’ by some of the Headquarters Company drivers and unofficially added to the establishment. It was complete with drilling machine, lathe and welding plant. Eric Thursfield with Les Brown, Harold Short and ‘Toddy’ repaired vehicles, carriers and weapons for the whole brigade.’
Frank was able to return home to visit his parents in March ’43. A civic welcome was held in the Rivoli Theatre, which so many of those who were farewelled with Frank, attended. Dancing ceased and lights were dimmed later in the evening whilst ‘They shall grow not old’ was recited before the cross of sacrifice, after which "Abide with me", was sung in memory of the fallen. Frank’s thought would have been of his young brother, Arville.
Particular mention was made of the wonderful record of the 9th Division, especially the 2/48th Battalion, which had the distinction of having won three Victoria Crosses. Men of this battalion were in the forefront of the battle of El Alamein and were prominent in the Siege of Tobruk. A member of this battalion paid a tribute to another battalion which relieved his at a critical stage in the El Alamein battle. "But for their timely arrival" he said, "probably there would be none of us here tonight." Cr. Les Trenaman, who' had farewelled the men on behalf of the district when they had left for overseas, expressed his deep appreciation of the grand job done by "the Berri boys", and wished them all good things for the future.
Following training in Queensland, Frank then served in New Guinea and Borneo before finally being discharged in November ’45. His older brother, Melvin continued to serve in the ‘mop-up’ operations post war, being discharged in March ’47. The two brothers continued to remember Arville. Then, when Frank married Audrey Anne, they both continued to place memorials to Arville. Audrey and Frank’s family grew, to include two daughters, Beverley and Jenny and two sons, Adrian and Colin.
Frank continued to remember Arville on the anniversary of his death each July 3rd.
Advertiser Friday 3 July 1942. TODD.—In loving memory of our dear brother, Cpl Arville Thomas Todd who died of wounds at Tobruk, July 3 1941, aged 21 years. At the going down Of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember him. Frank and Melvin. both A.I.F.
Advertiser Saturday 3 July 1943, TODD. —A tribute to the memory of Cpl. Arville Todd. 48th Battalion, who died of wounds at Tobruk, July 3. 1941. What happy hours we once enjoyed, how sweet their memory still.—Mum, Frank, and Melvin Berri.
Advertiser Monday 3 July 1944, TODD.—In loving memory of out dear brother Cpl Arville T. Todd. who died of wounds at Tobruk. July 3. 1941 What happy hours we once enjoyed: how sweet their memory still.—Frank and Melvin. A.I.F.
Advertiser Tuesday 3 July 1945, TOOD.—In loving memory of our dear brother Cpl. Arville T. Todd who died of wounds at Tobruk. July 3. 1341. aged 21years. With the morn, that angel face will smile. Which we have loved long since—and lost awhile. —Frank and Melvin. AIF, 9th Div.
Advertiser Wednesday 3 July 1946, TODD. A. T. —In loving memory of Arville died of wounds. Tobruk. July 3. 194I. He gave his life so that we might live; one of the heroes of Australia, who answered the call, and paid the supreme sacrifice.—inserted by brother Frank and sister-in-law Audrey, Berri.
Advertiser Thursday 3 July 1947, TODD, A. T.—In loving memory of Arville, killed Tobruk, 1941. In some way, memories of him come our way.—Inserted by Frank, Audrey and Beverly, Berri.
Advertiser Monday 3 July 1950, TODD. — In loving memory of brother Arville who died of wounds July 3. 1941. Forever in our memories. — Frank and Audrey, of Berri.

Aged 79, Frank died on the 11th January, 1995 and was buried in the Barmera Garden of Memory Cemetery. Audrey lived to be 92 and died in May 2006. She is now interred with Frank.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes, SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.