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Born in the coastal town, Port Victoria on the Yorke Peninsula, Laurence arrived on the 11th January 1911 to parents Daniel Joseph and Tipperary-born Johanna (Annie) Feehan. Daniel’s family had come from Yankalilla with Daniel initially farming at Koolywurtie, out of Maitland, before he eventually acquire land near Port Victoria in 1904. Being a strong Catholic family, there were nine children, seven of whom survived childhood. Despite their birth given names, the children acquired nicknames, many based on their middle names, Laurence’s being Eddie. His surviving siblings included Patrick Vincent (Vince), Vera, Richard Dominic (Dick), Bridie, Johanna Eta (Eta) and Eugene (Eug).
The family were strong supporters of their church and local community, with Daniel organising a series of socials to raise funds for the church and helped coordinate regular Roman Catholic Balls over the 1920’s. They were similarly active in presenting Gala days with the family involved in a variety of different roles of helping with supper or providing music, which was often Eta’s role. (She also was a sought-after soloists at weddings.) The Feehans were in the forefront of most fundraising events, frequently organising dances in the local institute, including raising fund-raising for the Soldiers’ Memorial Hall in 1925 where Ita competed as one of the queens. Fancy Dress competitions were popular events in the family, with various members winning prizes for their creative ideas. These included Bridie dressing as ‘If winter comes, spring will not be long following’, Vincent as Monkey brand soap, Ita and Birdie dressed as gold topped cigarettes and Dick and Eugene as the most original farmyard set.
Life was fragile for young children. An older sister, Mary Ann died as a young baby on the 29 June 1896 and was buried with her Feehan grandparents when the grandmother, 67-year-old Mary, after whom she was named, died in March that same year. Tragedy again struck when 5½ year old Frederick Gilbert also died in July 1904. Youngest son, Eugene was fortunate not to sustain more serious injuries when getting into a sulky in April ‘24. In doing so he inadvertently touched the horse which launched forward, causing Eugene to fall against the sulky, hitting a protruding nail that gashed his forehead, eyelid, and cheek.
The children attended the local Wauraltee school, which would have combined activities with other small nearby schools including Koolywurtie, Mt Rat and Rocky Beach. Post school, Eddie assisted his father on the family farm. At the time, Port Victoria relied on its long jetty in the sheltered bay to export grain from the nearby farms including that run by the Feehans.
Eddie was a talented footballer, playing for Port Victoria in the same team as his brother, Eugene. The brothers were part of the Premiership team which took out the honours in the Northern and Mid-Yorke's Peninsula Football Association, with their photo appearing in the October issue of the Register in ‘28. Both were very capable players, regularly appearing in the goal scoring and best player lists, and both being proclaimed as outstanding players for Western United. Eddie was, however, unfortunate to be injured in a ’35 match against Port Pearce when he received a knock on the head by the rain-soaked leather football. He was immediately taken to hospital, but fortunately the injury was declared ‘not serious’ although he remained under observation for a few days.
In the Centenary Final the following year against favourites, Stansbury a brilliant, skilful match eventuated, despite the goal posts being hit five time by Stansbury and once by Western United. Under perfect conditions, speed was a highlight of the match with Eddie, playing on the wing, being proclaimed as United’s best man in the first half, clearly being superior to his opponent. A proviso was added to the media report that Eddie ‘has great pace indeed, at times be appeared to be too fast, and was inclined to over-run with the ball.’ His efforts, unfortunately, were not enough to take out the Premiership, unfortunately.
By 1940 with the outbreak of WWII, 29-year-old Eddie enlisted to serve in July as did Stanley Davies. As single, fit young men they were ideal for the army’s requirements. Eddie was immediately allocated to the newly formed 2/48th Battalion as SX7900 and Stan with the consecutive number SX7901 to the 2/6th Field Ambulance. Another local farmer from Minlaton, Leslie Tonkin, enlisted at a similar time becoming SX6911 and also allocated to the 2/48th battalion. (25-year-old Leslie was killed in action at Dimra, on the 1st May, just a year after he enlisted, one of 51 casualties suffered by the 2/48th Battalion.) Early days for the new enlistees were spent in the cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds where ‘beds’ were straw filled hessian on wooden pallets. The new soldiers then headed to Woodside for preliminary training.
During October, enlistees returned home on pre-embarkation leave. Eddie, Stan and Leslie were given a send-off at the local Wauraltee Hall. One of the most pleasing features of the evening was that every member of both the Feehan and Tonkin families was present. The ‘boys’ were wished good luck from their communities, before dancing started with the polonaise, led by the soldiers and with Eddie’s mother, Annie a ready participant. Supper was followed by the singing of "Auld Lang Syne". The previous evening, Annie had organised a surprise party for Private Eddie, where a very pleasant musical and card evening was spent. A presentation on behalf of residents of Wauraltee was made to which Eddie suitably responded.
The new soldiers then boarded the Stratheden for the Middle East later that month, arriving in the Middle East on the 17th December. The 2/48th Battalion then completed a few months training in Cyrenaica before marching to Tobruk at the start of April 1941. There the dust, flies, heat, minimal water supplies and constant bombardment were quite a challenge to the fresh new enlistees who were later to become the highly respected Rats of Tobruk. During those early days, besides regular army duties was the need to quickly adapt to the locals and local conditions. Over August and September, Eddie, who had acquired the nickname of ‘Ted’, was allocated to the 2/24th battalion, then by November became a batman and was based in the Headquarter section.
To start the New Year of ’42, the Chronicle carried a photo of Eddie (Ted) and SX8239 Colin Parsons, both from the 2/48th and taken in Palestine. The pair were delighted to read their 'Chronicles', and get a thrill out of them, particularly enjoying leave after fighting in Tobruk. Soon after, Eddie had a stint of a week in the Scottish General Hospital, before then being transferred to the Australian Infantry Special Group, and finally returning to his battalion in August ’42. The end of that year brought a welcome return to Australia via Melbourne for the 2/48th Battalion.
Following leave, Eddie again was detached as a batman, being transferred to Headquarters with the 26th Brigade. Training in Queensland followed as the troops prepared to meet a very different enemy in the tropical conditions of New Guinea. He arrived in Milne Bay in August ’43, rejoining his 2/48th battalion in November.
Eddie was unfortunate to contract a severe case of malaria, returning to Australia via Brisbane in February, then spending over a week in the local Maitland Hospital. Unfortunately, his condition was such that he was classified as medically unfit for duty, being discharged on the 25th July ’44. He had earned the 1939/45 Star, the African Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal, which arrived in 1950.
Eddie’s 75-year-old father, Daniel died at home on the 23rd October ’44, before peace was declared. The Southern Cross in a tribute praised him as being one of Port Victoria’s oldest and most respected citizens. He was cited as being ‘possessed of a kind and generous nature which endeared him to all who knew him.’ 83-year-old Johanna also lived to see Eddie return safely home from war but died soon afterwards on the 15th November ’49. Both parents were buried in the Maitland Cemetery.
Aged 57, Eddie died on the 16th August ’68. He was buried in Maitland Cemetery alongside his older sister, 68-year-old Johanna Eta who died two months later on the 23rd October. The inscription on their headstone reads ‘Sacred heart of Jesus have mercy on their souls’.
Written and researched by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.