Virtual
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Australia

Hermann (known as Rudolf) and Anna (Elizabeth) Promnitz had two sons, the eldest being Walter Herbert, born in Waikerie on the 6th January 1918 and a younger son, Colin. Their father had been an engineer on the S.S. Saphire which traded along the Murray, but prior to Walter’s birth had sustained an injury to his hand when it was caught in a crank. Walter, Known as Wally, was just 11 years old when’ his 49-year-old father, Rudolf died in November ’30.
The boys grew up in the Riverland town, where they attended the local school. In those times, students were actively involved in community-based activities, including tree planting on Arbour Days along Pflaum Terrace and Lawrie Terrace, before enjoying a half day holiday. They also celebrated Empire Day and were actively involved in concerts, sport and fundraising for their school. In June ’32 this involved being part of the first School Pet Show, Bazaar and a travelogue initiated by the headmaster. For each penny the students brought in to school, the travelling moved a further ten miles, eventually raising a healthy total of £9. Wally also entered his rabbits in the Pet section, gaining second place. In total, the day raised a healthy £100 for the school.

Wally was also part of the school cohort, who at the end of 1935 were praised for successfully gaining their Qualifying Certificate. For the previous twelve years the school had a 100% success rate – a commendable achievement. In a stirring speech by the Headmaster, the students were encouraged to reflect on their abilities and to ask not "How well have I done?" but "What qualities of character have I developed in trying to do well?"

Wally was also regular attendee in the local Rover Scout group which enjoyed a range of activities and guest speakers, including one on local governing law. As part of the evening, a ‘mock Court’ was held with Wally filling the role of a witness. (Some underhand bribery of chocolate frogs, which was later defaulted on delivery, lead to an appeal.)
In an early indication of his interest in caring for the injured, Wally, still a civilian, undertook a Railway Ambulance Examination in the Murraylands in May ‘38. He gained a 90% result, topping the course. Post school, Wally gained work as a shop assistant with A. H. Landseer Ltd, an agent for Murray Shipping. However, with the outbreak of WWII when, having just turned 21 he enlisted on the 6th July 1940, becoming SX8094. On the same day, another local, under-age18 year old Roy Johns also enlisted becoming SX8212. Both young men were placed in the newly formed 2/48th Battalion.
Wally’s younger brother, Colin Arthur later also enlisted in February ’43, having been involved as S27073, then SX30548 in the 2/12th Field Ambulance in Tarakan. (Sadly, post-war, Colin never applied for his medals – this was done after his death by his wife.)
Wally and Roy’s lives and service were to be similar. Their initial training was at Wayville (now the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds) before the battalion moved to Woodside. The young men had brief pre-embarkation leave, returning to Waikerie before boarding the Stratheden on the 7th November. They and other young men in the 2/48th were to face the dust, heat, flies and constant bombardment associated with war. Lord Haw-Haw derided the troops for their living conditions ‘like rats’ and leaflets were dropped urging the men to surrender. Instead, the derisive term, Rats of Tobruk was seized as a badge of honour, with the unofficial term proudly adopted. Whilst in the Middle East Wally attended a chiropody course in January which he successfully completed, then over March moved between the 2/48th and 2/3rd Field Ambulance. By June that year he was promoted to Corporal.
The 2/3rd (initially formed in Queensland) had arrived in the Middle East in March ‘41serving in Tobruk for six hectic (and hellish) months. Wally was seconded in June ’41 whilst still being officially attached to the 2/48th Battalion. The 2/3rd was then sent to Hill 95 in Palestine in September ’41, then to Tripoli and Batroumine in May. However, with the advance of the German troops, the units were rushed back to Egypt to be involved in the El Alamein battle. This 2/3rd mobile unit was designed to quickly collect the wounded and sick, give immediate first aid, prepare and classify the wounded for level of treatment then rapidly transfer them to hospital for more intense attention. The initial collection of wounded and injured men put the Ambulance soldiers dangerously in the firing line.
In the brutal fighting over the 22nd July, 42 many men, including Germans and Italians were killed. However, the battle for Tel el Eisa was considered ‘won’ but the price was high. Fifty-three of the Allied men had been killed and sixty-nine wounded which John Glenn described in Tobruk to Tarakan as ‘on the tortured, bloody slopes of the sandy ridge’.
Wally was killed in that action on the 22nd July ’42 whilst attached to the 2/48th Battalion. The following day a deeply grieving Padre B Archbold wrote a worthy tribute to those who lost their lives. It reads in part;
‘The sudden bursting forth of morning violence
That July day in Nineteen Forty Two
That twenty second day! Now pride in silence
Honours. Sorrow only doth our pride subdue,
The boom of gun, the whine ad crash of shell,
The crunch of mortars, rifles spitting hell,
Machine-guns pouring death from every crest
Did brave men face, and facing them could jest.
Though willing be the flesh of gallant men,
, The strongest, bravest spirit is subdued
When overwhelming weight of force and fire
Batters and blasts, as wounded rise again
To reach a comrade’s side to render aid
Or to press on in desert’s heat, where shade
And water are but things to torment those
Who think and suffer lying near their foes.’
He concluded, wondering about the price paid, by those in the prime of their youth, concluding
‘And Tel el Eisa’s crosses of eternity
Are unforgotten, as our deeds shall prove.’

Back home, the Murray Pioneer in August carried the news ‘Word was received by Mrs. R. Promnitz, of Waikerie, last week, that her son, Cpl. Walter Herbert Promnitz, had been killed in action in Egypt on July 22. Aged 24 years, his birthday being on January 6, Cpl. Promnitz, was in a medical unit. He was educated at the Waikerie Higher Primary School and was employed at A. H. Landseer Ltd's. Waikerie business for a number of years. He joined the A.I.F. in July 1940 and sailed for overseas in November of the same year. His loss is keenly felt in the district, where he was well known and respected.’
The News also carried a sobering list: Eight More S.A. Men Die EIGHT South Australians are reported killed in action and eight others wounded in action in the latest A.I.F. casualty list. In the list below, all casualties are infantrymen unless otherwise indicated. Killed in Action.-from the 2/48th Battalion were SX7877 Lce.-Cpl. Blake H. McInnes, Lancaster; Ptes. SX7254 Robert T. Elliott, Adelaide: SX7354 Herbert C. P. Jones. Yundi; SX7343 John E. Miller. Parkside; SX8881 James McA. Sutherland, Millicent; SX11350 Keith E. Treagus, Kyancutta; Cpls.SX7535 Patrick O'Loughlin. Pinnaroo; SX8094 Walter H. Promnitz (medical), Waikerie. -Wounded in Action.-SX13639 Ptes. Alfred I. Badman. Pinnaroo.
Walter was buried in the El Alamein War Cemetery, Plot XVI, Row H, Grave 7 Walter’s mother chose the inscription ‘Greater Love Hath No Man’ for his headstone
At the Annual meeting of the Waikerie R.S.L. in February ’43 the young men still fighting were remembered, including those in the Middle East, who had distinguished themselves. ‘Their exploit in breaking the El Alamein position had won the admiration of General Alexander who said that no finer feat of arms had occurred in this or any other war.’ The list of the Waikerie boys who had made the supreme sacrifice were read, they included Cpl. Walter Promnitz, Pte. Frank Mav, Pte. Alex Matschoss, Pte. Bill Blake, Pte. Lindsay Burton, Pte. Roy Colins, Pte. Boehm, Stoker Ray Holmes. A letter of sympathy was been forwarded to each of the soldiers’ family. The number of Waikerie boys who had given their all in this war was, at that stage, 24.
Family friends and fellow soldiers continued to remember Harry in the ensuing years.

Advertiser Thursday 13 August 1942, PROMNITZ.—KiIIed In action on July 22. in Egypt. Cpl. Walter Herbert, loved nephew of Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Promnitz, Waikerie, cousin of Mell. Dollie, Norma and Elva. He gave his all. PROMNITZ.—KiIIed In action In Egypt. : Corporal W. H. (Walter) Promintz. 2nd AIF. Aged 24 years. Dearly beloved elder son of Mr. and Mrs. R. Promnitz, Waikerie, and loved brother of Colin (A.M.F, Australia). In God's care.
Chronicle Thursday 20 August 1942, PROMNITZ.—Killed in action on July 22, in Egypt, Corporal Walter, beloved nephew of Mr. and Mrs. Coombs, and loving grandson of C. A. Promnitz. His duty nobly done. PROMNITZ.—Killed in action on July 22, in Egypt, Cpl. Walter, beloved nephew of Mr. and Mrs. Trost, and cousin of Emmie and Marie, of Oxford Landing. He gave his life for our freedom. PROMNITZ.—On July 22, Cpl. W. H. Promnitz (Wally), killed in action abroad. A friend we will never forget.—Ever re-membered by Doreen and Jack. PROMNITZ.—Killed in action on July 22, in Egypt, Cpl. Walter Herbert, loved nephew of Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Promnitz, Waikerie, cousin of Mell, Dollie, Norma and Elva. He gave his all. PROMNITZ.—Killed in action in Egypt, Corporal W. H. (Walter) Promnitz, 2nd A.I.F. Aged 24 years. Dearly beloved elder son of Mr. and Mrs. R. Promnitz, Waikerie, and loved brother of Colin (A.M.F., Australia). In God's care.
Advertiser Thursday 22 July 1943, PROMNITZ.—In loving memory of Cpl. Walter ‘Wally’ who was killed In action July 22, 1942.—Ever remembered by Doreen and Jack. PROMNITZ.—In loving memory of Cpl. W. Promnitz, killed in action July 22 1942. in Egypt.—Always remembered by his loving pal Dave. PROMNITZ.—In memory of our dear grandson, Walter, killed in action on July 22. 1942. You peacefully rest in a soldier's grave, your memory honored with Australia's brave.—Remembered by your grandma, Mrs. A. H. Kruger. Keyneton. PROMNITZ.—In memory of my comrade, Walter, who passed away July 22, 1942. He gave his all to save others.— Pte. A. H. Munchenberg. PROMNITZ. Cpl- Walter.—ln loving memory of dear Walter, killed In action at El Alamein July 22, 1942. Not just today, but every day, in silence we remember. Sadly missed by mother and only brother. Colin (AIF.) PROMNITZ—ln loving memory of Cpl. W. Promnitz, killed in action July 22, 1942, in Egypt.—Ever remembered by his loving friend Joyce. PROMNITZ.—In loving memory of our dear nephew and cousin. Walter, killed In action July 22, 1942. His duty nobly done.—Remembered always by Uncle Edward. Aunt Hilda. Mell and Ettie, Dolly. Norma and Elva. PROMNITZ. —A tribute of remembrance to our friend Walter, killed In action, July 22. 1942.—Inserted by Mr. and Mrs. Weisbrodt and family. PROMNITZ.—A tribute to the memory of my pal. Cpl. W. H. (Wally) Promnitz, 2/48th Bat., killed in action. July 22. 1942.—Inserted by E. H. Lamshed. late 2nd/48. PROMNITZ.—In memory of Wally. who paid the supreme sacrifice, July 22, 1942. —Remembered- by staff, A. H. Landseer. Waikerie. PROMNITZ.—Sacred to the memory of Walter, killed Egypt. July 22. 1942. A dear friend of Mr. and Mrs. Roy H. Starr. PROMNITZ, Cpl. W. H.—ln memory of Walter, who made the supreme sacrifice at El Alamein. on July 22. 1942.—Always remembered by aunt and uncle and cousins. Gordon, Audrey, Connie and Alan (A.LF.). PROMNITZ.—a tribute to the memory of Walter, killed at El Alamein 22nd July 1942,-Jaieen and Stan. PROMNITZ.—In memory of Cpl. I Walter, killed in action. July 22, 1942 A day we'll remember and sad to recall Inserted by cousins. Mane, and family.
Advertiser Friday 21 July 1944, PROMNITZ.—In memory of Cpl. W H. (Wally) Promnitz. killed In action. Egypt. July 21. 1942.—Inserted by Edgar Lamshed, ex-2nd AI.F. PROMNITZ.—A tribute of love and honor to Wally, who gave his life two years ago today.—So dearly loved, so sadly missed by his loving grandma and family, A. Kruger. PROMNITZ.—In loving memory of Walter, killed in Egypt, July 22, 1942.— Ever remembered by his loving friend, Joyce. PROMNITZ.—In fond remembrance of Cpl. W. H. Promnitz (Wally), killed in action, Egypt, July 22, 1942.—Ever re-membered by Doreen and Jack. PROMNITZ.—In memory of Cpl. W. Promnitz, killed in action July 22, 1942. —Ever remembered by Jock and family. PROMNITZ.—In loving memory of Cpl. W. H. Promnitz, killed in action July 23, 1942.—Inserted by his mother, and brother Colin.

In the El Alamein War Cemetery Wally is surrounded by at least 19 others from his 2/48th Battalion killed on the same day.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.