Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Allan was born in Kapunda on the 19th November 1908. He was generally known by his middle name, Leigh. He attended the Kapunda Public School where he was involved in the so-called ‘Penny Fund’ set up to relieve distress caused during WWI in 1914. In later years he worked as a bricklayer and married Edna Clarice Furler, an active secretary of the Noarlunga Progress Society. The two welcomed their first child, a daughter, Desma in November ’33. Desma was later to also win the ‘Best Dressed Baby Girl’ competition in aid of the Junior Red Cross in December ’37.
Edna and Leigh were involved in the Noarlunga Wesley Guild where one of the aims was to give members the opportunity to gain confidence in public speaking. At the December ’39 meeting Leigh confidently proposed the toast to ‘The Ladies’, before he and Edna were participants in a debate where the topic was "Can a Woman maintain both a Home and a Career?" Leigh and Edna were on the affirmative team which was awarded the victory by the adjudicator.
Leigh served for 2 years in113 Battalion, then, aged 31 he enlisted on the 22nd June 1940 to serve in WWII. He was given the number SX7715 and placed in the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. His early days were spent at Wayville (now the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds), before continuing his training in the Adelaide hills at Woodside.
Following pre-embarkation leave, Leigh boarded the Stratheden on the 17th November and arrived in the Middle East on the7th December. By February ’41 he was graded as a Group II signaller. He was also to become one of the highly respected Rats of Tobruk – a term initially designed to be derogatory and affect the morale of the soldiers as they dug holes in which to shelter and lived ‘like rats’. Unfortunately for the Germans, the taunt had the opposite effect.
John Glenn in his book, Tobruk to Tarakan described how on the 15th July ’42, tanks rolled through no man’s land with the enemy being battered as the men slowly advanced. Sharp fights ensued with several deaths and captives taken. Two enemy camouflaged trucks were sighted and a patrol set out to investigate. It transpired that the Germans had become lost, having been sent out to lift mines. However, with no idea where they were, tired and confused they were taken captive. Privates L Biele, R.M. Harper and C Holman were wounded during the day. Leigh’s right foot had been crushed, causing him to be evacuated and out of action for a month.
Finally, his battalion were able to return to Australia via Melbourne at the start of February ’43 for well-earned rest and precious time with family. Training in Queensland followed in preparation for the tropical jungle conditions in New Guinea before Leigh landed in Milne Bay. Conditions were challenging with Leigh contracting a high temperature (pyrexia of unknown origin) and spending several days recovering before returning to Brisbane. Unfortunately, he was also affected by malaria.
This time was made more poignant with the death of Leigh and Edna’s ten-year-old only daughter, Desma Lydia in February ’44. Leigh was discharged on the 15th June ’44 aged 35, on compassionate grounds. Each year, on the anniversary of her death, her parents and relatives placed memorial notices to their angel. “We hold you safe within our heart And will, while life shall last. -Inserted by Mummie and Daddy.” Leigh and Edna had two more children, Caroline Leigh in June ‘46 and Richard the following year. (Richard later served as WO2 3175767 and received an OAM. Aged 69 he was buried in the Bowral Cemetery, New South Wales.)
Edna pre-deceased Leigh on the 25th September 1964 and was buried in Altona Memorial Park, Victoria.
Leigh married a second time to Olive Thelma. He died on the 23rd January 1976 aged 67 and now rests with Edna in Altona Memorial Park Cemetery, Elm Lawn C Row R Grave 14. Their second daughter, Carolyn is buried alongside. (Olive died in 2001 and was buried at Box Hill Cemetery, Victoria.)
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.