Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Bob was born at Alberton on the 16th November, 1905 to Harold Anthony and Mabel Fotheringham. As an eleven-year-old, he was part of an extensive private concert given by pupils of Miss Grandfield at Alberton. Bob was amongst the list of performers, giving a whistling solo. (Others gave piano and singing solos as well as duets.) As a student at Pultney School 14-year-old Bob was also part of the end of year musical performance. Music continued to remain an interest throughout his life.
The family moved to Two Wells, where in December ’37 Bob was chosen to be best man for his future brother-in-law, Norman Brindle when he married Elise. By that time, Bob had been relieving at Renmark for the National Bank, just prior to returning to Adelaide, then being appointed to Jamestown in the mid-North.
Bob became the Branch Manager of the Stock Department for the S.A. Farmer’s Union but aged 34, chose to enlist to serve in WWII on the 5th July ’40. The previous Friday Bob was one of three young enlistees to be farewelled at the Jamestown Institute where eulogistic speeches were made including the comment by the clergy that “the cloud of war was spreading over the world, but the darkest hour was just before the dawn, and, we all sincerely hoped this. I commended the young men for the step they had taken, to go and fight for all we held dear in Australia.” Each of the three were presented with a wallet from the Cheer-Up Club and a parcel of woollen comforts, before a concert and singing followed.
Bob was allocated the number SX8068 and placed in the newly formed 2/48th Battalion, where, within three months he was promoted to the rank of Acting Corporal. While undertaking intensive training at Woodside in the Adelaide Hills, John Glenn in Tobruk to Tarakan spoke of the huge significance of the handover of a corps of drums and the flag of the first 48th to the new battalion. The drums were received by Corporal Morgan to be placed under the command of Corporal Fotheringham. The drums, like the unit band, were not fully appreciated at first; later, however, they became a great source of battalion pride whenever they headed our marches in Syria and Palestine.’
Following pre-embarkation leave, Bob sailed on the Stratheden on 7th November, arriving in the Middle East on the 17th December. His organisational ability saw him again promoted to Lance Sergent. Within a year, Bob had successfully completed an Anti-Malaria Course but in the desert conditions succumbed to a painful middle ear infection (Otis media).
Fellow 2/48th soldier, SX7808 Jack ‘Tex’ Weston sent home a poem to James Heaslip written by “the cheery and popular Bob Fotheringham while spending a pleasant vacation at Tobruk amongst bomb splinters, shells, dust and bullets. Three cheers for good old Bob!”
‘THE NIGHT PATROL. It's zero hour, there's a hushed command
As out of the shadows move a band —
Each man knows of the task ahead
As he moves to the wire with stealthy tread.
There isn't a sound or a glimmer of light,
Only the stars to guide them right,
A thousand yards to reach their goal,
A race ere the rising moon unfold.
To hesitate would be too late,
For the moonlit rays would seal their fate.
Go on through booby traps and mines
On till they reach the enemy's lines.
A clattering stone — someone spoke —
A burst of fire from the stillness broke
As the shadowy forms of a dozen men
Spewed hot lead from rifle and bren.
Forward they rush like men insane,
To take and hold all they can gain;
They won't face steel is the Aussies' boast,
And they find it so as they reach that post.
There's a quick check up, a note or two,
Then back to their lines for some warmed-up stew,
A dixie of tea or a noggin or rum,
A smile from their mates for a job well done.
Then down in the dust of their holes they creep Like desert rats.
They are soon asleep
And dream of parties and folks at home,
Of the girls they've loved - or a mutton bone.
The sun is up, there's a harsh command
It's five hundred hours -don't be alarmed.
Yesterday's gone. Now call the roll.
I want twelve men for tonight's patrol.’
Bob was to become one of the highly regarded and honoured Rats of Tobruk. Ironically, this term was devised to destroy morale amongst the troops, with the Germans deriding that the Australians were living underground in self-dug dust and dirt – like rats and that they should surrender. Typically, they became more determined and motivated.
Any news received from the young men overseas was shared, often through the local newspapers. SX13592 William Fletcher, also of the 2/48th and who had been wounded in action, wrote to Jamestown friends sharing that he had met Bob and other serving locals.
Back home for brief leave in February ’43, Bob was then training in the tropical conditions for Quensland, in preparation for fighting a quite different enemy in New Guinea. A further promotion to Sergeant followed in January ’44 before Bob returned to Brisbane, then home to South Australia. He took up different roles in Sandy Creek in the Barossa where there was a POW Camp established in April ‘44, then Mount Gambier, until a right shoulder injury curtailed the activities he was able to undertake. In May ’44 Bob returned to a warm welcome at Jamestown on leave, joining an informal farewell for the retiring manager of the National Bank.
At the same time, Daphne Lorraine Wilmshurst was being warmly congratulated on her engagement to Sgt. Bob Fotheringham. The local paper reported that ‘Bob will be remembered as stock manager for the S.A.F.U. before his enlistment in the A.I.F. at the outbreak of war. Bob then headed to a Victorian Officers School as an Instructor. Daphne was the guest of honour at a Jamestown dinner party where she was presented with a silver sugar bowl to celebrate her coming wedding.’
Daphne and Don married in the Jamestown Methodist Church on the 13th January ’45. The Times and Northern Advertiser newspaper described Senior Sergeant Bob as a ‘veteran of Tobruk and elsewhere’, and the son of Mrs Harold Fotheringham of Mallala. Bob chose his brother-in-law S73443 Lance Corporal Norman Bridle of Booberowie as his best man.
Deteriorating health issues of bronchitis and malaria plus the shoulder injury all contributed to Bob being identified for discharge on the 4th April ’45. In November, Bob attended a V.D.C. Smoke Social at Jamestown to recall the efforts of the volunteers and to look forward to the erection of a War Memorial. ‘Digger’ Bob drew on his early childhood skills to brighten the evening as a pianist.
Bob attended a different Smoke Social in September ’47. All members expressed their regret that their best member, Bob was departing, having been promoted to a position at Tumby Bay on the West Coast. Following a toast to Bob, he was presented with an English Cider Set as a memento of the high esteem in which he was held by every member. A further farewell was held at the Jamestown Railway Hotel by business associates and friends. The District Council Chairman, expressed regret at Bob’s departure, as Jamestown and the district was losing a most capable man and one hard to replace. He offered congratulations to Bob on his promotion and wished him and Daphne every future happiness and prosperity. Representatives from the Farmers and Stock Owners and Auctioneering Firms, joined in the good wishes. Bob was presented with an inscribed smoker’s stand. A further farewell was held the following week at the Commercial Hotel, organised by the Citizen’s Band where Bob had been the drummer. Bob was presented with a cigarette case, thanked for his good service and again, wished success in his promotion. Bob assured the members he would continue to visit Jamestown where so many friends lived.
In Tumby Bay, Bob purchased a 22-foot fishing cutter. Unfortunately, during strong October winds in ‘48, it dragged its anchor and was dashed against the low cliffs of Streaky Bay. Fortunately, the bow and a section of the side planking were damaged, but repairable.
Bob’s involvement in his local community continued to be generous as money was raised for the local hospital and Legacy through the running of a Miss S.A. Quest Competition. At Tumby Bay Bob headed a sub-committee representing Agriculture, with others being Sport and Commerce.
Bob was also ready to show visitors the district of Tumby Bay, including the secretary of Port Adelaide Racing Club, knowing that the visitors would later speak highly of the area. Bob was also instrumental as inaugural President of the Tumby Bay Bowling Club, in raising £100 and praised for his inspiring efforts in bringing the new club into being in November ’52. His wife, Daphne was honoured with the role of bowling the first ball. (Fifty years later the Club celebrated with a chicken and champagne luncheon, catered for by the Tumby Bay Netball Club, honouring the work of Bob as President, plus the secretary and Treasurer for their foresight.) In ‘57, Bob was again involved in the opening of the Cleve Bowling Club, giving much assistance to the fledgling Club and supervising the first competition.
Bob was also a generous supporter of the Ungarra and Districts Rural Youth Club, holding a practical and informative demonstration about culling of hoggets in ‘60. The young people then put their new knowledge to the test, before Bob gave his professional assessment. In later years Bob also took the group to inspect two local sheep studs, illustrating what points to look for in the selection of a flock ram. He also demonstrated the classing of a farm wool clip and its preparation for sale, as well as educating the young farmers on how to prepare stock for market and educating them on stock values.
The indefatigable, passionate Bob was manager of the Tumby Bay branch of the South Australian Farmers' Union Ltd when, aged 57 he died suddenly in the Tumby Bay Hospital on the 31st July 1963. In a fitting tribute, the Port Lincoln Times reported that ‘He was a prime-mover in the establishment of the annual Tumby Bay ram sale, which has grown to be one of the biggest ram sales outside the Adelaide Show. As a qualified wool classer, he endeared himself to many hundreds of growers on Eyre Peninsula and has classed over one million sheep, according to records.’
‘The late Mr. Fotheringham was the foundation president of the Tumby Bay Bowling Club. He served with the 2nd 48 Battalion in the Second World War and was one of the "Rats" of Tobruk. He was a staunch supporter of RSL functions in Tumby Bay and only recently donated a shield for annual competition between Port Neill, Wanilla and Tumby Bay sub-branches. For many years he acted as judge for the Tumby Bay Jockey Club. Many people mourn his passing. He was buried at Tumby Bay last Thursday following a service in St. Margaret's Church of England.’
A further tribute was paid to Bob prior to the sale of rams at Tumby Bay on the 8th August. ‘Mr. Murray Whitford, manager of the Stock Department of South Australian Farmers' Union, paid a tribute to the late Mr. B. H. Fotheringham, of Tumby Bay, through whose efforts the sale was established. He made mention of Mr. Fotheringham's capabilities as a flock classer and his wide stud selection knowledge.’
Bob now rests in the Tumby Bay Cemetery. Daphne lived to be 85 and now rests in Centennial Park Cemetery.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.