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War Memorial
Australia

Brothers in Arms

Victor Ian SEMMENS

Victor’s parents Lewis Victor and Dulcie Semmens, had seven children, Lewis, Victor, Dulcie, Edna, Doris, Clem and Vera. They moved from Norwood to live in Cobdogla on the River Murray, a close knit and supportive community, with Victor being born on the 4th June 1918 at nearby Waikerie. Sadly, the family suffered the death of their first-born daughter, Dulcie Verna when she was just 8 months old on the 19th March, 1920 when Victor was just 21 months.

From his early years as a school boy, Vic proved to be a talented athlete. He attended the local Cobdogla School, where each year concluded with a picnic at the North Lake near the Government Boarding House. A convoy of cars and lorries transported the children and their parents to the site where presentation of books, provided by public subscriptions were made before food and sports became the major indulgences. This celebration grew into a combined schools’ picnic for Cobdogla and Loveday with fruit, sweets, ice cream and refreshments provided and the local Bakery donating trophies. Each year, Vic was amongst the prize winners in sporting competitions. In the higher years a tussle developed between Vic and John McFarlane. As 11-13-year-old schoolboys, John McFarlane and Vic teamed up to win the three-legged race before the boot race again separated them. This continued each year including as under 14 where Vic came second but won the boys wheelbarrow race. In later years their competitive spirits carried into cycling, a sport in which both John and his brother Murray excelled, as did Vic.

Post school, Vic followed Lewis in working on the fruit blocks, gaining skills including driving heavy vehicles and tractors. This lifestyle obviously contributed to Vic’s fitness and skills as a good all-round sportsman. He proved to be a handy bowler for the Loveday Cricket team but it was as competitive cyclist that he gained most success.

Vic developed into an elite bike rider in the rapidly popular sport of cycling. As a 17-year-old, Cobdogla hosted a Race Meet between Waikerie and Berri with many spectators coming in cars and lorries. The best finish for the afternoon was provided by the place getters in the half mile handicap. Vic, John McFarlane and L. Peterson all of Cobdogla, raced for the finishing line almost locked together, creating a challenge for judges to separate the trio, finally ruling that John had won by 'the barest of margins’ and the other two were awarded joint second place. Vic followed this with a third placing in the two-mile handicap.

While race distances and team compositions varied, Vic enjoyed the challenge in 1937 in a Team of Four. The Berri Club hosted a 40-mile handicap team race for an ‘Olympic’ trophy. At the half way mark, Vic’s team had gained 1.50. While one team had mechanical trouble, on adjusted times Vic’s team took out line honours with a time of 1.49.7. That same season the Waikerie Cycling Club hosted another race day supported by an exceptionally large crowd of appreciative spectators. With the track in excellent condition, thrilling finishes were the order. The ‘Murray Pioneer and Australian River Record’ reported that Vic “rode well, to carry off the 2-mile handicap, and also finished second in the half mile handicap and 3-mile scratch race”.

Riding in the Waikerie Cycling Club competitions against interstate and state competitors in 1938, Vic rode a well-judged race, winning by a length in the Three Mile B Class event. Continental match racing was introduced to Waikerie for the first time that year, also. Berri Cycle Club hosted a 20 miles Barnett Glass Road Race, conducted over a 10 mile out and home course on the Renmark road. Twelve riders faced the starter. On the run home John MacFarlane caught Vic but was unable to maintain the pace and eventually was back with his two co-markers, Vic and Adams. While this had bridged the gap, Vic maintained his pace taking out first place and fastest time honours.

The last event for that season was a 26-mile race, on the Barmera road. The river course had been selected, but owing to several rain-affected patches the race was transferred to bitumen. There were 10 starters with Vic on 15 seconds. In a fast-paced ride, Vic and John McFarlane soon gathered up the field and on the return journey tested the weaknesses of their opponents. Within two miles of the finishing line, all but one rider had fallen away enabling Vic to record a comfortable win by three lengths. He repeated this performance in 1939 where an outward breeze gave the front markers a useful advantage, setting a fast pace. Vic secured fastest time while also annexing the time honours in the last road race conducted by the Waikerie Club. Starting off 4 minutes 45 seconds, his time for the 25 miles was 1 hr. 2 min. 14 sees. Also, that season, despite unsettled weather, Vic revealed his best form for the season by winning the Half and Two-Mile handicaps. Twenty-one riders contested the first event and twenty-three the second, quite an achievement!

War intervened cutting short a promising athlete’s potential. Aged 22 Victor followed older brother Lew’s decision, enlisting at Glossop just five days later on the 19th June to become SX8055. (Lew was SX7189) Both worked with their father on the family orchard, where they had acquired the useful, practical skills in both tractor and lorry driving. Unusually, Vic suffered a bout of illness pre-embarkation but was allowed the comparative luxury of recuperating at home.

Prior to embarkation Vic, Lew and Ken Marrett SX4579 had a weekend’s leave in August 20 1940. These three and fellow bike riders John and Murray McFarlane were farewelled with two other local enlistees. The farewell was described as one of the largest attended socials in Cobdogla. Inspiring speeches were made and gifts presented to each of the ‘boys’ from the Ladies’ Committee. Believing action spoke louder than words, each made a “cheery little speech, and by the time It came to the last soldier to say a few words he thought there was "nothing left for him to say." A rousing rendition of ‘For They Are Jolly Good Fellows’, three cheers, a hearty supper and dancing rounded the evening, according to the ‘Murray Pioneer and Australian River Record’.

By September, both Vic and Lew were on leave with the McFarlane brothers, John Walsh and Donald Wing. Then in October a huge 400 strong crowd gathered at the Barmera Bonney Theatre to honour the 18 young locals who were on leave for the last time before leaving Australia. Each of the men were greeted and introduced to the crowd. Then in a stirring speech by Mr Tonkin, President of the Barmera Sub-Branch of the R.S.A. the young men were compared with the WWI fighters and reminded that “twenty-six years ago the boys were hardened to be, what was described by the then commander-in-chief, the finest troops in the world. He (the speaker) felt sure that the generals of today would say the same of the men of the Second A.I.F. History would repeat itself in that what had been dared by the old Diggers would be done again by the young Diggers.”  Each soldier then received a gift of a one-pound note, and responded personally to the well-wishers before the traditional supper and dancing followed.

Vic and Lew both left on the Stratherden in November, heading for the Middle East and conditions that were rarely shared with family back home. Both became one of the highly respected Rats of Tobruk, helping to write the legend that would be part of the 2/48th and 9th Division legacy.

Frustratingly, Vic had an attack of appendicitis in May ‘41 requiring hospitalisation in the Middle East but eventually was able to return to the 2/48th. Either a change in diet or because of other factors, Vic developed painful boils on his wrist requiring further treatment. (coincidentally, Lew also later acquired this condition.) Subsequently, by May ’42 Vic was transferred to the 2/11 Australian Field Ambulance while still in the Middle East before finally heading back to Australia and again being transferred to the 2/6th Australian Supplies Depot Company. He was granted three weeks leave until the start of April ‘43, helping Lew celebrate his wedding to Lorna Hombsch. Lew and Vic were also guests of honour at a welcome home social and dance for members of the 9th Division AIF held in the Cobdogla Hall, arranged by the Cobdogla Soldiers’ Social Comforts Fund Committee. Lorna’s brother, Sgt. Hombsch spoke in glowing terms of the good work accomplished by the various patriotic organization throughout the Middle East. He praised the Red Cross for their splendid work in looking after the sick and wounded. He next thanked the Salvation Army, Comforts Fund and YMCA, who, regardless of where the troops were sent in the forward lines or lean areas, all contributed to make things more comfortable for troops. Finally, Sgt. Hombsch thanked the school children for their wonderful help through. the SPF emphasizing the importance of all these particular organizations which was so appreciated by the Digger at home or overseas.

 Vic and Lew again travelled together to combat the new Japanese threat, arriving in Milne Bay in August 43. The news that Vic’s older brother had died as a result of wounds sustained in a Japanese shell attack which spraying the battalion area with shell fragments and inflicting a number of casualties, including seven deaths must have shattered Vic. The two had survived some of the fiercest fighting in the Middle East and were considered seasoned fighters. Vic left Finschhafen on 25th Feb 44, for Brisbane and some leave without pay. Looking to a better future, Vic took the opportunity to propose to Beryl Jean Wakefield of Uraidla in May of ‘44.

He returned to duty but contracted a throat infection which left him hospitalised and preceded a charge of failing to stop after an accident, costing him a heavy fine. Vic was finally discharged on the 22nd July, 1944, returning to a very different Cobdogla community. However, a new life was ahead of him to be shared with Beryl as they married at St. Cuthbert's Church of England, Prospect, on 6th January, at 6 p.m. They returned to the Riverland where the community held a huge welcome home in the Bonney Theatre in Barmera. It was a way for locals to say ‘Thank you’ to those who had already returned to civil life, and there were plans to have a similar gathering when all the young men of the district returned, and the war against Japan was successfully concluded. Representatives of the State Branch of the RSL. and the local Fathers Association, assured the guests of the full support of the organization. Housing was the immediate priority to coordinate funds, materials, and manpower to erect much needed homes for those returning and looking to forge a life post war.

Vic and Beryl’s first child, Christine Dianne was born on February 28th, 1946. Other children followed, Pamela, Stephanie and Richard. By June of ’48 Vic and Beryl learned of their success in being one of 68 ex-servicemen to be the first soldier settlers of World War II to settle on irrigation properties in SA. Fifty-five would be allotted properties at Loxton and eleven at Loveday, with the applicants having time to view the block and make a selection. Finally, the family left the Cobdogla area at the end of November ’48 to head to Loxton; the new irrigation settlement was opened at last. Conditions were not to be easy as initially there were no irrigation facilities and trees had to be hand watered. However, most of those who were allocated the blocks were of a similar age and background so strong bonds were created and support available. Through sheer hard work these young families created what would become a thriving orchard area.  

Lew’s death was remembered each year by Vic and his family.

Murray Pioneer Thursday 16 December 1943, SEMMENS — In proud and loving memory of our dear son and brother Lewis, late 2/48th Battalion, died of wounds November 22, in New Guinea (returned M.E.) "A hero called to a higher service." Ever remembered by his loving Mother and Father, Brothers and Sisters, Cobdogla, and Brother Vic (N.G.).

Advertiser Thursday 23 November 1944, SEMMENS. SX7189. L. M —In loving memory of Lewis, who died of wounds. N.G., November 22. 1943. Peace, perfect peace, in this world of sin. —Ever remembered by his loving mother and father, brothers and sisters. SEMMENS. —A tribute to Lew. late 2/48th Batt, died of wounds. N.G. (returned M.E.). Thoughts drift back to bygone days, time moves on, but memories stay. —Ever remembered by his brother Vic ex-A.I.F.).

Advertiser Thursday 22 November 1945, SEMMENS, L. M.—Late of the 2/48th Batt. AJ.F. died of wounds. November 22 1943. Rest on in peace. O warrior brave, now your task is o'er: all your best you gladly gave to help us win the war. —inserted by his loving brother Vic. and sister-in-law Beryl

Advertiser Friday 22 November 1946, SEMMENS, L. M. No. SX7189. 2/48th. who died of wounds in New Guinea November 22. 1943. No matter what the years may bring, loving memories always cling. —Inserted by his loving mother and father, sisters and brothers.

Advertiser Saturday 22 November 1947, SEMMENS. L. M.—ln loving memory of Lew. who died of wounds, N.G. November 22 1943. Away in the beautiful somewhere. Sheltered from sorrow and pain. When life's Journey is ended. Then we will meet again. —Ever remembered by his loving mother and father, sisters and brothers. SEMMENS. —In loving memory of Lewis, died of wounds. Satelberg, N.G. Time moves on but memories stay, as near and dear as yesterday. —Ever remembered by parents, brothers and sisters. Cobdogla.

Advertiser Monday 22 November 1948, SEMMENS, Lewis, 2/48th, died of wounds, Satelberg, N.G. To be with us in the same old way would be our dearest wish today. — Ever remembered by parents, brothers and sisters, Cobdogla. SEMMENS, L. M.—In loving memory of Lew, who died of wounds, New Guinea, Nov. 22, 1943. Gone from us his smiling face, the one who won so many friends in happy bygone days. —Ever remembered by his loving mother, father, sisters and brothers. 

Advertiser Wednesday 23 November 1949, SEMMENS. —In loving memory of Lewis, died of wounds November 22, 1943. N.G. Years may dawn and fade away. But loving memories always stay. —Mother, father, sisters and brothers.

Advertiser Friday 24 November 1950, SEMMENS. L. M.— In loving memory of Lewis, died November 22, 1943. To be with us in the same old way Would be our dearest wish today. —Ever remembered by his loving mother and father, sisters and brothers. Cobdogla. 

Vic eventually received his service medals, the 1939/45 Star, Africa Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal and War Medal Australian Service Medal in February of 1957.

Aged 51, Vic pre-deceased his father, in an accident at Pinaroo on the 15th April, 1970. He was interred in the Loxton Cemetery.

Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133 2/48th Battalion

Last Unit: HQ COMD ASC 9 AUST DIV