Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Terence Vernon Roberts SX7892
Terence’s parents, Johnathon and Amy, had six children. Terry was the fourth, born on January 11th 1914 at Strathalbyn. His siblings were Bernice Kathleen, Harold Walter, Una Muriel, Constance Joyce and Norma Laurel. Sadly, Constance died, aged two months in June 1916 when Terry was two years old. The family lived in Milang, on the shores of Lake Alexandrina where the children attended the local Milang School.
Post school, Terry became a district shopkeeper. When he was 19, his mother Amy, who had suffered ill health for four years, died on Anzac Day, her 28th Wedding Anniversary 1933. She was just 64 years old.
By that time, Terry had established himself as a well-respected, popular Master of Ceremonies for a range of social events including at Balls held by the Milang Tennis Club, the District Trained Nursing Society, the Congregational Church and the Catholic Church. He was also secretary of the football club and a committee member of the Milang Institute which was created to organise fortnightly dances to help bring residents together. Terry was the obvious choice to be MC. He also proved to be a skilled dancer, at one stage winning the ‘lucky boy barn Dance’ award at the Nurses’ Ball.
By ’38 Terry was captain of the Milang Tennis Club, which, in its first year in the Alexandra Association Competition, won the shield. In his speech, Terry accepted the shield on behalf of his team, commenting that he was very pleased to be the captain of such a fine team, where every member did their best throughout the season.
With the outbreak of war, Terry was 26 years old when he enlisted on 5th July 1940 to become Private SX7892 and part of the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. He was unfortunate that the following month he was on sick leave in August but recovered to enjoy a short time of home leave before embarking on the Stratheden for the Middle East and conditions totally foreign to the tranquility of life on the lake. While overseas, Terry received the news that his father, Jonathan died on January 8, 1942 aged 71. He was buried at Milang with Amy and their young daughter Constance.
John Glen recorded in ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’ that in In November ’42, following the Battle of Egypt, the allied tanks poured through the enemy’s defences. In the ensuing chaotic action, returning allied planes strafed their own trucks resulting in a mortar bomb setting one alight. “To make matters worse, this truck was parked right in the middle of a company headquarters. The petrol tank was soon ablaze, the fire spreading rapidly. Terry Roberts, realising the damage a truck-load of mortars could do, yelled “Keep clear!” and ran to the burning truck. Disregarding the flames and the bombs, he jumped in, started the engine, and drove the truck some distance to the cutting, jumping clear as it commenced to roll down the slopes. It had scarcely reached the bottom when a terrific explosion shook the earth.” His quick-thinking action prevented countless deaths and injuries.
Terry survived that conflict to return via Melbourne in February ’43, having leave with others from Milang, Charley Graney (SX8686, 2/43rd, who was later killed in action in October that year in New Guinea) and Keith Bowden (SX11776).
Training in Cairns followed before Terry arrived in Milne Bay and conditions totally the opposite to the dust, flies and sand of the desert.
By March 1st ’44 Terry was again home on leave with a large social evening being organised for the locals, Graham Ness (RAN), Glen Vaughton (RAAF), Reg Pearce (SX15764) and Terry. Games, dancing and the inevitable country supper were a highlight with a welcome given by the Milang Sub Branch of the RSL which formed a committee to raise funds to assist those serving in WWII, including the selling of badges for the Legacy Club Appeal.
Terry’s quick thinking following his bravery moving the burning truck may have been the catalyst for him to undertake a training course for heavy duty military vehicles and jeeps. During the course, Terry contracted malaria but his proficiency was awarded in August ’44 with the comment that ‘he had proved himself a keen and capable student.’
Finally discharged on the 13th November ’45, Terry returned home. He was awarded the 1939/45 Star, African Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal.
His services as MC continued to be in demand with the Diggers’ Annual Ball being in Terry’s capable hands; the organisers commenting that it was “pleasing to note that they were able to secure a returned soldier to act as M.C.” He also was an active supporter of the hugely popular Milang Dramatic Club which presented a ‘Buttons and Bows’ concert for which he sold tickets and acted as an usher in ‘49.
Terry continued to be an active supporter of the Milang RSL Sub Branch, also attending regional RSL meetings at Strathalbyn. His service is commemorated on the Milang Memorial gates
Terry lived to be 82 years old and died on the 17th November, 1996. He was buried with the family in the Milang Cemetery with his headstone commemorating his service as a proud member of the 2/48th and as a Rat of Tobruk.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.