Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Kenneth was the sixth of ten children born to Charles William and Elizabeth Jessie Trenorden of Summertown in the Mount Lofty Hills. He was born on the 1st June 1918 in nearby Stirling but had few memories of his father who had not enjoyed good health, and died in December ’23 aged 44. ‘A Patient sufferer at Rest.’ Charles had been a successful gardener and orchardist, growing apples and cherries in the cooler Hills climate. By that stage, death had already visited the family, which had lost their precious first child, Ethel Mavis who lived for just a month and died in April, 1905. A second daughter, Muriel Joyce also died young at 18 months of age, just prior to Ken’s fourth birthday in April ’22. Ken’s older siblings included Ethel, Phillis Ena, Leslie Gordon, Evelyn Marjorie, Mervyn Charles, Laurel Myrtle and Oliver William.
The children all attended the local Uraidla School, but from early years were active in the family orchard. This constant exercise probably contributed to both Ken and Oliver later becoming strong footballers, initially playing for Uraidla where Ken was a prolific goal scorer and Oliver also very talented in the forward lines. They were frequently listed as the top two best players. Both young men played for Ashton in the East Torrens Association in a match against Norwood Union in ‘39 winning by seven goals, three kicked by Ken and with both brothers named in the best players. Ken later also played in the SANFL for South Adelaide.
With the outbreak of WWII three of the brothers all enlisted in quite different roles. 22-year-old Ken was the first to enlist on the 5th July ’40 in Adelaide. His brother, Mervyn, known by his middle name, Charles, in peacetime was a Methodist Minister of religion based at Wallaroo. He enlisted with the R.A.A.F as a chaplain A9300 in April ’45 and was discharged in March ’46. Older brother, Oliver, a lorry driver who lived in New South Wales, enlisted just months after Ken, in August. He served in the 2/3rd Australian Construction Company as NX 42295 where he rose to be a Sergeant. He also survived the war, despite being injured, and was discharged in November ’45.
For Ken, intensive training at Woodside followed his enlistment. This also coincided with the SANFL semi-finals, which presented the ideal opportunity for the new soldiers to play a curtain-raiser at the Adelaide Oval. Teams were drawn from those in Army Camps at Woodville and Wayville who were former league players. Besides Ken, the 2/48th were represented by SX7055 Arnold Power (Glenelg and North Adelaide), SX7890 Maxwell Trengrove (North Adelaide who was later killed in action), and SX9283 Peter Robertson (Sturt and SA state player).
The match was preceded by a huge farewell at the Summertown Institute for the local enlistees, including Ken and a cousin, SX7309 Conlin Osborne Trenorden, who was also initially allocated to the 2/48th Battalion, and the Goodfellow brothers. The sporting football, cricket and tennis Clubs all gave speeches in praise of the qualities of their enlistees before the young men were presented with either a money belt or wallet. A concert of individual and group singing, skits and recitations followed with community singing and dancing, then the traditional country supper.
Ken then sailed for the Middle East on the Stratheden on the 7th November, arriving in the Middle East on the 17th of December. He was amongst the group of men who were to earn the proudly borne title of being a Rat of Tobruk. Initially this was a term designed to demoralise the allied troops, who at the time were living in hand-hewn underground dugouts. The Germans derisively called this living like rats, but it was immediately seized on as a term of pride.
Compared with the fresh food and comparatively hygienic conditions back home, the flies, heat dust and poor sanitary conditions contributed to Ken contracting food poisoning (enteritis) in July following his arrival, consequently spending time in hospital. He rose quickly through the ranks from Acting Corporal to Corporal and Lance Sergeant but a month after his last promotion, aged 24, he was killed in action on the 22nd July ’42.
That month, his battalion faced the full force of a Rommel led attack at Tel El Eisa. On that date, more than 100 members of the 2/48th Battalion were killed or wounded fighting for Tel el Eisa Ridge. John Glenn in ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’ relayed how “The enemy fire coming down on Hill 26 was now switched, and was directed at the advancing companies. To this fire the Germans added that of field guns near the station; these were soon firing point-blank on C Company.” Orders were then given to charge across open ground into the direct fire of the guns. “Two detachments of our mortars, under Sergeant Maurie Roche and Sergeant Ken Trenorden, quickly swung into action, and as the platoon moved in they brought heavy fire to bear on the enemy. Men fell, but the sight of the Australians charging with fixed bayonetted was too much for the Germans, and 15 Platoon captured the crew that manned the guns.”
Glenn wrote “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.”
He concluded “Telel Eisa was ours, but the price we had been forced to pay had been high. On the tortured, bloody slopes of this sandy ridge fifty-three men had been killed and sixty-nine wounded.” Ken was amongst the dead.
A devastated Padre Archibald that night wrote a poem, a tribute honouring those men. The last stanza summarises the sacrifice of the young men:
“The Price! Men in pride and strength of youth
Preferring death, with loyalty to truth,
If that the price must be, which faint heart chills,
Accept the hazards of their own free wills.
No cheap bravado but a deep sincerity
Called them from distant shores and homes and love,
And Tele l Eisa’s crosses of eternity
Are unforgotten, as our deeds shall prove.”

Back home, the August issue of the Mount Barker Courier shared the unwanted news. ‘Intelligence of the death, killed in action in Egypt on July 22nd, of her youngest son, Ken, has reached Mrs. Trenorden. Enlisting 'in June, 1940 he sailed in November.’ The September edition of the Chronicle carried a list of those in the 2/48th Battalion Killed In Action. They were SX7979--Sgt. Lindsay R. Evans. Keyneton; SX9301, Pte. Alfred W. Tait. Birkenhead and SX7948 Pte. Kenneth L. Trenorden. Summertown.
Less than nine months later more unwanted news arrived with the Advertiser reporting in April ’43 ‘Mrs. Jessie Trenorden, of Summertown, has been notified that her son, Cpl. Bill Trenorden, has been on the seriously ill list. Cpl. Trenorden went to New South Wales over six years ago, and enlisted from that State. His young brother, A/Sgt. Ken Trenorden, was killed in action in the Middle East last July.’
Ken now rests in the El Alamein War Cemetery in Plot 16, Row F Grave 14. Nearby are others from his battalion who died in the same battle, including SX13018 21 year old Private Colin J. Hanley, SX7979 22 year old Corporal Lindsay R. Evans, SX11052 22 year old Private Walter M. Shane, WX10144 19 year old Private Albert B. Lange, SX9316 28 year old Private Arthur L. Phillips and SX7343 27 year old Private John E. Miller, SX10317 Captain Colin F. Williams M.C., SX7535 Corporal Patrick O’Loughlin, SX13560 Private Herbert J. Hill, SX13121 Private Reginald W.C. Brown, WX9858 Private Arthur S. Gurney VC, SX7483 Private Ivan C. Hanel, WX9869 Private William T. Birchley, WX9817 Private Gilbert W.B. Lee, SX12849 Private Hartley R. Stocker and WX10425 Private Rodger H. Shaw.
Ken’s family chose the inscription ‘Peace, Perfect Peace’ for his headstone.
In the ensuing years, Ken continued to be remembered by his fellow soldiers, especially by SX7570 ‘Jack’ Carroll (from Crafers) civilian workmates at Cobbledick Brothers and his family.
Advertiser Tuesday 20 July 1943, TRENORDEN.—In loving memory of Ken, killed in action, July 22, 1942.— Inserted by Cobbledick Bros, and regular staff.
Advertiser Saturday 21 July 1945, TRENORDEN, Sgt Ken, 2/48 Btn.—ln loving memory of my dear pal killed Tel El Isa. July 22. 1942.—Always remembered by Jack. C. T. Carroll. AIF. (discharged).
Advertiser Monday 22 July 1946, TRENORDEN.—In loving memory of our dear pal Ken, killed in action at El Alamein, on July 22, 1942. It does not take a special day, To bring you back to mind; The days we do not think of you Are very hard to find. —Ever remembered by his former employers. TRENORDEN, Ken, L/Sgt.—Beautiful memories of our dear son and brother, killed July 22, 1942, at El Alamein. Things have changed in many ways But one thing changes never; The memory of those happy days When we were all together. —Loved and longed for always by mother, brothers and sisters Summertown. TRENORDEN.—In fond and loving memory of dear Ken, killed July 22, 1942, at El Alamein. Fond memories ever cling.—Ever remembered by Les, Audrey and family. TRENORDEN.—In loving memory of my brother Ken, killed July 22, 1942, at El Alamein.—Remembered always by Evelyn. TRENORDEN.—In loving memory of our dear brother Ken, killed in action July 22, 1942, at El Alamein. You never miss the sunshine until the shadows fall. —Sadly missed by Laurel and Lins. TRENORDEN, Sgt. Ken, 2/48th Btn. —In loving memory of my dear pal, killed Tel-EI-Isa, July 22, 1942.—Always remembered by Jack Carroll.
Advertiser Tuesday 22 July 1947 TRENORDEN.—In loving memory of my darling brother Ken, killed, Egypt, July 22, 1942.—Loved and longed for always by Evelyn. TRENORDEN, L-Sgt.—Beautiful memories of our dear son and brother Ken, killed, El Alamein, July 22, 1942. You were not spared to see the peace in the country you helped to save, but our thoughts go out to you. dear Ken. as you lie in a hero’s grave. —Loved and longed for always by mother, sisters and brothers, Summertown. TRENORDEN, Sgt. Ken., 2/48 Battn.-In loving memory or my dear pal. killed in action. July 22. 1942.—Ever remembered by Jack Carroll. TRENORDEN.—In loving memory of our dear brother and Uncle Ken. killed in action, July 22, 1942. Forever in our thoughts.—Loved and longed for always, Laurel, Lins and family. TRENORDEN.—In loving memory of Ken. killed at El Alamein, July 22, 1941. We treasure still with love sincere Memories of Ken with love so dear. —Ever remembered by the Cobbledick family.
Advertiser Thursday 22 July 1948 TRENORDEN. — Treasured memories of our dear son and brother. Ken. killed July 22. 1942. For ever in our thoughts Loved and longed for always by mother, brothers and sisters. TRENORDEN.—In loving memory of Ken. killed July 22. 1942. In Silence we remember. —Inserted by Laurel. Lins and family. TRENORDEN. Sgt. Ken. 2/48th ' Btn.—ln loving memory of my pal. Kiled Tel El Isa. July 22. 1942.— Ever remembered by Jack Carroll.
Advertiser Monday 23 July 1951, TRENORDEN. Sgt. Ken.— Beautiful memories of our dear son & Brother, Killed July 22, 1942. Loving memories never die. Loved & longed for always by Mother, Brothers & Sisters. TRENORDEN, —In loving memory of Ken, killed in action, July 22, 1942. A friend so true, a heart so kind; A better friend no one could find. —Remembered by the Cobbledick family. TRENORDEN. Sgt. Ken. 2/48 Btn. — In loving memory of mv dear pal. killed Tel-EI-Isa. July 22. 1942.— Always remembered by Jack Carroll.
Advertiser Tuesday 22 July 1952, TRENORDEN. Sgt. Ken.— Treasured memories of our dear son and brother, killed July 22, 1942. Always In our thoughts.— Loved and longed for always by mum. brothers and sisters. TRRNORDEN. Sgt. Ken.— In loving memory of my dear pal. killed Tel-el-lsa. July 22. 1942.— Ever remembered by Jack Carroll. TRENORDEN.— In loving memory of Ken. killed In action El Alamein. July 22, 1942. As you rest in peaceful sleep your memory we always keep. — Always remembered by the Cobbledicks.
Advertiser Wednesday 22 July 1953, TRENORDEN.— In loving memory of my pal Ken. killed July 20. 1942, at El Alamein. —Remembered always by Jack Carroll.
Advertiser Thursday 22 July 1954, TRENORDEN.— In loving memory of Ken killed in action July 22. 1942. at El Alamein. A leaf in the book of memory is gently turned today. — Ever remembered by the Cobbledicks. TRENORDEN. Ken. — Treasured memories of Ken. killed-July 22. 1942 Time passes but memories stay. — Loved and longed for always by mother, brothers and sisters. TRENORDEN. — In loving memory of my pal Ken. K.I.A. July 22. 1942. — Ever remembered by Jack Carroll.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.