Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Albert (Bill) was born in Adelaide on the 30th May 1908. Following his marriage to Ruby Elizabeth Hillier he lived in Edwardstown, a southern suburb of Adelaide. He was employed as both a gardener and fibrous plasterer. However, with the outbreak of WWII and aged 31 Bill enlisted to serve on the 5th July 1940 and was allocated the number SX8070.
His initial days were spent in the cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds, before his battalion headed to Woodside for preliminary training. Following pre-embarkation leave which he spent with Ruby and his four-year-old daughter, Marlene Clair the 2/48th contingent then embarked for the Middle East. He arrived in March ’41 where he officially joined the 2/48th reinforcements. There, the recruits completing a few months training in Amiriya before being on their way to serve in Tobruk, Syria and Egypt. By the start of April 1941, the 2/48th were in Tobruk where the dust, flies, heat, minimal water supplies and constant bombardment were quite a challenge to new enlistees. Bill was to serve with the famed Rats of Tobruk.
In March ’42 Bill was assigned to special duties as a batman for Lance Heffron SX11171 who had enlisted in February ’41, joining the 2/48th Battalion with the rank of Lieutenant. Bill’s role was to assist Lance with a variety of tasks, including as a runner, carrying orders from Lance to the soldiers, as a personal driver, body guard, maintaining Lance’s uniform and equipment and even digging Lance’s foxhole, thus freeing up Lance for leadership duties. Inevitably, the two became very close friends.
Lance was killed in action on the 22nd July whist the 2/48th Battalion was attempting to capture West Point in a dawn attack. The 2/48th battalion suffered 215 casualties between the 7th July and 23rd October. Of that number, 64 men were killed and six, died of their wounds. 125 other men were wounded but survived.
In his book, ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’, John G. Glenn described the ferocious encounter.
‘When the troops were well forward of the start-line they came under terrific fire from shells and mortars from the front and left and suffered heavy casualties. With the slow deliberate movement of perfectly trained soldiers both companies continued the advance in perfect formation, over ground that trembled and erupted with vicious explosions. Through this, sometimes obscured by the smoke and dust, the men moved, and, as they advanced, the fire kept pace with them, leaving behind the still shapes of fallen men among the camel bush and sand.’
Darren Paech in Adelaide to Alamein also reported on the attack and the devastation wrought. 18-year-old Private Bill McEvoy had only been with the 2/48th for 13 months. In the space of a few minutes, virtually everyone he had known since he joined the Battalion had either been killed or wounded.’ ‘Lieutenant Lance Heffron, OC of 11 Platoon, moved towards his dead mate Frank to retrieve the Very pistol he was carrying but was also killed by a burst of machine gun fire. The sheer weight and ferocity of the enemy automatic fire was overwhelming.’
John Glenn added that despite the men being surrounded, they planned to fight their way out. ‘for fourteen hours these men had been lying out in terribly exposed positions, pinned down, with the fearful heat adding to their difficulties.’ He added ‘Lieutenant Lance Heffron had been killed in a lone attack.’ Badly injured Private Wally Davis who was brought in described how “We were getting it from both sides, and the whole front was covered in a pall of smoke and dust. My platoon went to ground in a vicious burst of shelling, and Lieutenant Lance Heffron crawled across to us and gave orders to move forward. As we closed into the German position their machine-guns cut hell out of us and the ground heaved as shells and mortars exploded around.” He continued “there were only three left in my section and Lieutenant Heffron was still with us. We went to ground for the last time and were out of touch with any of the 2/48th Battalion troops”. Lance was still committed to taking the hill, asking his men to press on until support arrived. When the firing died down Lance gave the word. “We got to our feet and started a slow run towards the enemy. Clarrie Brown was hit and fell, then I copped one. Lieutenant Heffron and Bill Morgan went to ground besides us. Lance asked where we had been hit then calmly said “I’ll go on alone, cover me if you can.” As he went to rise, he was shot through the head. Thus died a splendid soldier.’
Bill was devastated. In the ensuing months he developed fibrositis, constant muscle pain and fatigue and by August ‘43 was being treated for hysteria. The next month he was declared ‘fit for duties other than active service with field formations’. He was finally able to return to Australia via Sydney arriving in March ’43.
By February ’44 Bill was declared medically fit for duties and was able to return to the 2/48th Battalion in Queensland. An eye infection resulted in an overnight stay in hospital for treatment. He served in New Guinea before being discharged from hospital in July ’45 and headed for Australia via Cairns. He was finally discharged on the 5th December that year.
Forever loyal, Bill continued to remember Lance.
Advertiser Thursday 22 July 1943, HEFFRON. Lieut. L. H. who made the supreme sacrifice July 22. 1942. Not Just today, but every day. in silence I remember. —inserted by his batman. Bill Kennett (A.I.F. ret.).
Advertiser Monday 23 July 1945, HEFFRON - A tribute to the memory of Lt. L. H. Heffron. How can I forget you when there is so much to remember? Ever remembered by his batman. Bill Kennett (A.I.F. Pacific).
Advertiser Monday 22 July 1946HEFFRON.—In proud and loving memory of Lieut. L. H. Heffron, killed in action July 22. 1942.—Inserted by his batman. Bill Kennett.
Advertiser Tuesday 22 July 1947, HEFFRON, Lt. L. H.—In proud and loving memory of Lt. Lance Heffron, killed in action at El Alamein. —Inserted by his ex-batman, Private Bill Kennett.
Advertiser Friday 22 July 1949, HEFFRON. Lt. L. H.—Proud memory of a gallant soldier.—Always remembered by Bill Kennett.
By October ’54 Bill and Ruby were celebrating the engagement of their daughter, Marlene Clair to Maxwell Keith Bowey and were able to enjoy their grandchildren, Annette, Ian and Gavin. However, they were devastated by the death of their daughter, Marlene Clair Bowey, aged 38 in July ’74. Their grief was exacerbated when their grandson, 22-year-old Gavin died in February ’83 when his car struck a tree on the Adelaide Road north of Victor Harbor.
In October 1988 Bill’s wife, Ruby proactively applied to receive Edward’s war medals he had never applied to receive, and she thought “it was time he did”. These were finally sent and included the 1939/45 Star, African Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal.
Aged 91, Bill died on the 9th December 1999. He was buried in the Anglican section of Enfield memorial Park at Clearview in Plot AD 42. Ruby lived another year and died in 2000, aged 83. She now rests with him.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.