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Ian’s mother, Annie Edith Maud (nee McLeod) married Lindsay Laurel Larwood, a Department teacher. The young family moved to different country postings during Lindsay’s career whilst in the early years, he continued his studies through the School of Arts and Crafts. Lindsay was appointed to Booborowie North in 1916 where Ian, the elder son, was born at Nurse Young’s Home in Kooringa on the 18th February, 1918. In May the previous year, Annie and Lindsay had received a letter from Roderick McLeod about the circumstances of the death surrounding Roy Larwood’s death in February ‘17. Like his brother Lindsay, Private Roy (Jack) was also a teacher, predominantly in country schools. He was killed in action in France, just six weeks after arriving. He was described by his mates as a “brave fellow and a good comrade." He and three comrades were together when a shell struck, killing them instantly. In a tribute to Roy, his skills and success in cricket, football and tennis were to also become a feature of young Ian’s life. Annie’s 39-year-old brother Roderick was subsequently killed in action in France just two months later, on the 2nd April 1917. Ian’s siblings included Patty, Alison, Barbara, Eleanor and Geoffery.
With Ian just a year old, Lindsay was appointed Head Teacher at Beachport in May ’19 and by the ‘30’s was teaching at Bordertown. Ian’s young sister, Patty was unfortunate to be the first student at that school to contract diphtheria and to spend time in isolation at the schoolhouse. Ian turned his hand to acting with the local Congregational Young Worshippers' League in the ‘Story of Esther’ in the role of Mordecai the Jew, cousin of Queen Esther, with his sisters Alison and Barbara also being part of the cast. Ian also appeared as a jester in a senior Primary School production of "The Rose of Joy". He was a capable student, being awarded the Dux of Grade IX to accompany his success in the Intermediate examination in geography and history. Ian also showed skills in Geometrical Drawing with a Drawing Pass which were reflected at the Tatiara Show where he won in an ink drawing depicting a humorous local incident, and a geographical diagram or map. Ian attained his Intermediate Certificate in ’32, passing geography, arithmetic, maths 1 and 2, and drawing, being awarded the school prize for being top of the boys’ class. That year he also took part in a first aid exam with the Bordertown Scout Group, scoring a creditable 98 points out of a possible 100.
Like his uncles and father, Ian relished the opportunity to play sport, including cricket alongside his father. A highlight of his early involvement was a close one run win against Kaniva in ’33 with Ian being reliable in the field and contributing to the winning run. In other matches, he was described as making nice strokes around the wickets and playing brilliantly for 31. In perhaps his most successful match that year against Wolseley School, Ian contributed 103 not out and was chaired from the arena by his clubmates. He was awarded the Boys’ Championship and the gift of a racket press. Ian also act as secretary of the Bordertown Cricket Club until his appointment to the Savings Bank in Adelaide. Despite leaving the district, Ian continued to maintain an interest, becoming the Secretary of the Old Scholars’ Association in ’33 with his father as President. The two also continued their association with the Tatiara Show in the ensuing years, working in the office.
Beginning as a junior player, Ian played football for Bordertown, consistently appearing in the best player list in the under 16 team. He played both in defence where his close marking game was a feature and also as an attacking player. In his first year as a bank employee, he returned and was lauded for doing ‘well for a junior and gave unmistakeable evidence of inherent football ability. He uses his top-piece well and is never flustered.’
With his bank placement, Ian ironically captained the Murray Bridge Ramblers side against Bordertown in ’38, playing in the mid-field, being constantly in the play and praised as his ‘clean marking, dash, and precise foot-passing of Ian Larwood, Ramblers' skipper, and former Bordertown player, was a highlight. At the conclusion of the game the summary was that ‘Murray Bridge had the best man on the ground in Ian Larwood, its youthful, but capable, skipper, and a polished footballer. He was never beaten in the air.’ However, when holidaying with his parents that same year Ian played in a Married vs Singles cricket match, performing well with 13 runs from four overs and two wickets taken, bowling with a good length ball that swung and made pace off the pitch.
From Murray Bridge, Ian was transferred to Kadina and was given a farewell dinner at the Bridge with his parents and two sisters Eleanor and Patricia attending with 80 guests. That evening a further social and dance was held, attended by about 150 people. As Captain of the Ramblers Football Club Ian was presented with a large travelling case, silver cup, and a gold medal. This was followed on Sunday morning by a farewell boat trip along the Murray, with 70 footballers including members of the Walkerville and Salisbury teams. This was followed by a bus trip to inspect an orange grove. Another farewell dinner was hosted by the Table Tennis Club, then the Younger Set also hosted a party at which Ian was presented with a fountain pen, silver pencil, hairbrush and comb in a case from the Wanderers Cricket Club. He was also presented with a clock from the boarders at a farewell tea. These many farewells were described by the Border Chronicle as ‘eloquent testimony to the esteem in which he is held by the various organisations he came into contact with. His pleasing personality and sterling character that brought him so many spontaneous expressions of goodwill will be appreciated by the many Bordertown folk who have met him.’
22-year-old Ian followed the example of his two uncles and chose to enlist on the 5th July ’40 with Rex Gurr, a close friend who also worked for the Savings Bank of South Australia. Ian was allocated the number SX7893 and Rex SX7862 with both placed in the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. They were amongst 18 young men who were farewelled by 400 Barmera people at the Bonney Theatre in October ’40. Many of these young men had been allocated to the 2/48th with Ian, including SX8060 Archibald McFarlaine and SX7028 Murray McFarlaine, SX8031 Grant Thorpe, SX8035 Harold Short, SX6884 R.A. Altschwager, SX5466 Jack Stoddart, SX7284 Stanley Gordon, SX6935 George T. Brown (who later was killed in action on May 1st ’41) , SX7189 Lewis Semmens (who died of wounds in New Guinea on the 22nd November, ’43), SX8055 Victor Semmens and SX7969 Donald Wing.
Part of the farewell speech from the R.S.A. representative included the prediction that ‘History would repeat itself in that what had been dared by the old Diggers would be done again by the young Diggers. The mothers, sisters and sweethearts, he urged to be of good cheer and courage. The Prime Minister had given the answer that the boys would have the finest of fighting equipment. That, combined with intense training in Egypt, should make them fit enough for anything. On behalf of the local R.S.A. Sub branch, he conveyed to the men congratulations and best wishes, and gave them the assurance that they would not be let down by those left behind.’ Colonel Dean added that ‘he spoke with mixed feelings. Those feelings were of disgust and disappointment and pride. The first two because the men of the old A.I.F. were not permitted to finish the job they went away to do; the last because the men of the Second A.I.F. were going to carry on the fight and finish it, with victory. By going forth to fight the men today were giving the country their greatest service. in this they had the support of the whole of Australia, backed up with the most modern of fighting weapons. He felt confident that they would give a good account of themselves and prove second to none. He wished them good luck and God speed.’
Each of the young men were then given a gift of a pound note before each responded personally to the well-wishers. With formalities over, supper and dancing followed. That same month, Ian and Rex Gurr were farewelled at the Kadina Council Chambers. Speakers from the Savings, Commercial and National Banks, the Yorke Peninsula Football Association and Kadina Cricket Club all spoke highly of the guests as efficient and courteous bank officials, good sportsmen and athletes, and worthy representatives of Australia. The men were handed parcels of gifts, and the Mayoress presented the customary parcels from the Fighting Forces Comforts fund. Both men spoke, Pte. Larwood expressing his gratitude for the thoughtful comments of the speakers and the gifts. He added that “Both he and Pte. Gurr would be hard to get rid of, and they would come back again alright. He had enjoyed good sport at Kadina and would always remember his many friends.” Auld Lang Syne concluded the farewell.
That evening the Yorke Peninsula Association held their final meeting, with attendance affected by petrol restrictions and the withdrawal of the Port Victoria Club because of enlistments. Ian, as Captain of the Kadina Club was congratulated on winning the Mail Medal for the season where he tied with Murray Fiedler (later to become Lieutenant in the 2/11th as SX16645).
The large contingent from the 2/48th Battalion, including many from Kadina, embarked on the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 7th November 1940. arriving on the 17th December 1940. Once in the Middle East, the recruits completing a few months training in Cyrenaica. Ian first earned an early fine for striking a superior officer in November that year, then an admonishment in February for ‘conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline’ but his future prospects for promotion were not affected. From there, he was soon on his 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. Ian was to become one of the famed Rats of Tobruk.
Country towns were innovative in their efforts to both support their young men who had enlisted, but also to keep their decimated local sporting teams viable. To this end, Kadina established a local Patriotic Football Club designed to ‘raise funds for war purposes; to raise the morale of the public; to keep our lads healthy and physically fit; and to keep our national game going.’ Ian, Jack Hoey SX12741, Clarrie Stewart SX7508 and Rayner Stagg SX7311 from the 2/48th were each praised for their pride in the national game and who had fought hard for the game to continue through their roles as players and secretaries. Through the Kadina and Wallaroo Times in September ’41 the challenge was made, mentioning Ian in particular as a stand-out who worked hard and fought for the game when he was amongst the community as secretary. “Are we, at home, doing justice to these men? We should keep the game going while they are away by supporting those who are trying to do so. I appeal to the public to give their assistance to our club, and to the good women who are helping us, the ladies of the Comforts Fund, the Red Cross,' V.S.D's, and V.A.D's.’
The friendship between Ian and Yvonne Dorothy White of Kadina which blossomed prior to the war, resulted in the two announcing their engagement when Ian was back home on his first leave in February ’41. In May the following year a pre-wedding surprise evening was organised for Yvonne. The friends presented her with as Doulton plate, also enjoying games, singing and supper. Yvonne and Corporal Ian were married in the Maughan Church in a Monday ceremony on the 5th May. Ian chose Yvonne’s brother, Private Bruce SX20911 as his best man while Alison Larwood was bridesmaid for Yvonne.
By April ’42 there was much excitement as troops returned from overseas with the Barmera community organising a welcome social. Over the following years, Ian received several promotions to eventually become a Warrant Officer before eventually becoming permanently detached to the Sandy Creek Prisoner of War camp in February ’45 as part of the Bordertown POW Control Centre staff at Sandy Creek, an area in which he spent his childhood. The Border Chronicle reported that ‘Since leaving here much water has flowed under the bridge of his experience, figuratively speaking, and under his feet, literally speaking, for he went to the Middle East with the early AIF contingents, and has travelled some more since returning home.’ Following six years of service, Ian was finally discharged in March ’46.
He returned to a huge welcome afforded to sixty-seven local personnel. A massive civil welcome was organised in the Kadina Town Hall with a huge ‘Welcome’ banner displayed in the front while in the evening this was brilliantly illuminated with colored lights. The local band played outside while the interior was described by the local paper as ‘nicely arranged with Allied flags displayed around the hall, and on the stage, pot plants in bloom, with hydrangeas and begonias interwoven with fern, made a delightful scene, and with the happy feelings, a cheerful atmosphere prevailed the whole evening. The seating accommodated about 500 people in the hall, which still left a large area for dancing, while the dress circle was taxed to its capacity, and the only standing room available was soon taken up. At 8 o'clock Girl Guides and Boy Scouts formed a guard of honor from the hall entrance to the stage and the guests moved slowly through headed by two diggers of World War I.’ Allied flags were displayed around the hall, and the stage featured colourful, flowering pot plants, with hydrangeas and begonias interwoven with fern. The National Anthem was enthusiastically sung before the returned men and women were introduced and ‘welcomed them back to Kadina, all receiving the gratitude of the audience with applause. A summary of the role of the local men included ‘we fought on, our men never yielding or giving away until they had to. Then Tobruk and the Middle East and at last, a glimmer of hope when word came through "We stopped them,"' and the turning point was reached in Europe. The Jap treachery at Pearl Harbour, North of Australia, and then their menace to Australia when so many of our noble boys gave their best and all, to save us, and now we are a free country and people for which we thank them. We are here to pay a tribute to the boys who came home and to those who gave their lives that we live in freedom." The assemblage then stood in silence for those who paid the supreme sacrifice’ The evening concluded with all present singing "For they are jolly good fellows."
Ian was able to have leave until May when he returned to the Savings Bank, Adelaide. His young son, John was born in Kadina in July ’46.
Sport, however continued to be a part of Ian’s life. He returned to captain the Kadina Football Club, taking out the premiership for that season. At the final dinner celebrations, Ian was praised for his able leadership and fine mannerly method he instilled into his players. In typical fashion, Ian turned the praise onto the players in a fine speech. “He found them a fine lot of chaps. The club had a run of bad luck earlier in the year in various ways, and it took time to build up the team, but they listened to their orders, co-operated well, and played in the final just as he wished them to. There were no "passengers" and he could not single out any player they all played as one. He hoped he would see them all back on the field again next year, and with the young lads, they had the material to go premiers again.” Ian, on behalf of the team was presented with the Fulton Shield and the hope that it would remain with Kadina in the ensuing years.
It did. Ian captained and was secretary for the club over the next two years, again taking out the Premierships. By ’49 he had been promoted to the Rundle Street Branch of the Savings Bank. Jack Glasson who had also served as SX16849 during the war, farewelled Ian, praising him as a good chap, soldier, citizen and sport. Many farewell parties were organised in Ian’s honour before he, Yvonne and young John departed for Adelaide. The following year they welcomed a second son, Bruce in November but continued to visit their families in Kadina.
Aged 81, Ian died on the 29th July 1999 with his ashes buried at Centennial Park Cemetery in the eastern plot, Rose bed E64, position 58.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.