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Lancelot (Lance), born in Unley on New Year’s Day 1917 was the second son of Gordon Clyde and Iris Victoria Braidwood. He was one of nine children with his siblings including five brothers, Ivan Gordon, Leo Bruce, Glen Horrace, Robert Walter and Peter Roy and three sisters, Betty, Iris Mary and Gwenda. Their father, Gordon Braidwood was the licensee of the Wheelwright’s Arms hotel in Roper Street, Adelaide. The year after Ivan’s birth, Adelaide brought in early closing for pubs (also locally called the ‘six o’clock swill’ for the pressure drinking which resulted). This action obviously caused a huge financial deficit for the family, which probably also contributed to Gordon overlooking the requirement to enrol on the Commonwealth Electoral Roll in 1919, attracting a fine that stretched the family’s income even more.
Lance had just turned 17 when his 42-year-old mother died on the 25th July in 1934. She was buried in the West Terrace Cemetery. The family placed a tribute to her in the Advertiser the following year; Saturday 25 July 1936, ‘BRAIDWOOD.—-In loving memory of our dear wife and mother, who passed away on 25th July, 1934. For ever remembered. Inserted by her loving husband and children.’
Just over a year after the loss of their mother, Lance’s three-year-old brother, Peter died on the 17th November ’35 and was interred with their mother.
Ivan, Lance and their younger brother, Glen were talented footballers with Glen playing for Richmond West Adelaide. For the boys, life was one of adventure but not without mishap, including 9-year-old Glen falling from a slide at the Henley Playground. Lance also tangled with the law when caught donkeying a fellow adventurer on his bicycle. The fine of £1/10 and 10/- costs was quite substantial. Two years later, a further fine was imposed when Lance forgot to notify his change of address, which again cost him a hefty fine of £1/10 and 10/- costs.
Whilst working as a motor Body builder, Lance also proved to be a talented Golf Caddy, including competing in the caddies' golf championships over the ’38 and ’39 seasons at Kooyonga. However, with the outbreak of war, Lance was the first of his brothers to enlist on the 3rd July 1940. He was given the number SX7652 and allocated to the 2/48th Battalion. Just days later, Lance’s older brother, Ivan also enlisted and was fortuitously allocated to the same 2/48th Battalion as SX8128, eventually rising to the rank of Lance Corporal. Their two younger brothers then enlisted. Nineteen-year-old Leo on the 9th June ’41, serving with the 2/25th Infantry battalion as SX13267 and eighteen year old Horrace (Glen) in January ’43 as 122367 serving in the Royal Australian Airforce as 122367, a general hand.
Lance and Ivan spent their early army days in the cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds, before heading to Woodside for their preliminary training. Whilst on pre-embarkation leave Lance proposed to Melva Esther Sigrid Paues, placing an engagement notification in the Advertiser ‘PAUES —BRAIDWOOD. — The engagement has been announced of Miss Melva E. Paues, of Semaphore, to Pte. Lancelot W. Braidwood, 2/48 Batt. A.I.F.’
The brothers then embarked on the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 7th November 1940. Harry was appointed to the role of Acting Sergeant, prior to disembarking on the 17th December. Soon after his arrival he was then officially confirmed with the rank of Sergeant. The young men then completed a few months training in Cyrenaica facing dust, flies, heat, minimal water supplies and constant bombardment when in Tobruk.
Their battalion had barely arrived in the Middle East when in May ’41 Lance was wounded in action with a gunshot wound to his right leg and over the following weeks was treated in both Australian and New Zealand Hospitals before finally being able to re-join the 2/48th in November.
The injury occurred in the fierce fighting for Hill 209 which also claimed the lives of seven others. John Glenn in his book, ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’ described conditions that day at Dimra: “At 3:50am on 1st May the men of the 2/48th stood-to to await the outcome of the battle which had raged all through the night. In thick mist, darkness, and bitter cold they snatched a quick breakfast of bully beef and hard biscuits.” In an attempt to take Hill 209 in the heavy dust storm marked by overhead enemy aircraft targeting their carrying vehicles, ‘D Company moved out steadily with two platoons forward- 18 Platoon under Lieutenant Larkins on the right and 17 Platoon with Sergeant Tonkin in command on the left.’ ‘The company then moved well forward under control, and came under small arms fire, but continued until they came under very heavy machine-gun fire from the direction of the Water Point and Post S4.’ The remainder of that day was chaotic, information scant, the men weary and under heavy fire and a raging sandstorm.’
The 22nd May ’41 edition of the Chronicle listed those from the 2/48th Battalion who were wounded with Harry. They included Died of Wounds.— Pte. Robert T. Christie, SX8273, Angaston (previously reported wounded in action). Wounded in Action.— Pte. Lancelot W. Braidwood. SX7652, Adelaide; Pte. Douglas D. Cameron, SX8847, Curramulka; A/Cpl. Wallace M. Clegg, SX6947, Joslin; Pte. John W. P. Digan, SX9092, Adelaide; Pte. Harold E. Harris, SX7454, North Croydon; Pte. Blake H. Mclnnes, SX7877, Lancaster; Pte. Alfred W. Morris, SX7798 Norwood; and Pte. Milford R. Uzzell, SX7478, Stepney.
Similarly, the May issue of the Mail listed fifteen South Australians who had died or were missing or wounded. Lance was in the latter group with all the soldiers bearing their photo. Lance was listed as ‘Pte. L. W. Braidwood (stretcherbearer), Goodwood — Wounded in action.’ The newspaper added extra detail, describing that ‘Mr. G. Braidwood, of Angas street, Goodwood, has been informed that his son, Pte. L. W. Braidwood has been wounded in action. Pte. Braidwood formerly worked at Kooyonga Golf Club and is well known among golfers. He also played junior football for South Adelaide. Pte. Braidwood, who is 23, enlisted in December with his brother, Pte. I. Braidwood, and became a stretcher bearer.’

Over August ’42 Lance attended the 9th Division Signal School and reportedly gained ‘Excellent’ results. With this success behind him, Lance finally left the Middle East at the start of February the following year, arriving back in Australia via Melbourne. He immediately headed back home on leave. He and Melva organised their wedding, announcing the event in the Advertiser. ‘BRAIDWOOD—PAUES.—The marriage of Melva, only daughter of Mrs I A Panes, of Semaphore, to Pte Lance. A. I. F. (ret.) son of Mr G. C. Braidwood of Glandore was solemnised at St Margaret's Church. Woodville. Sat. March 6.’
Training in Queensland followed to prepare to face a very different enemy in the tropical conditions of New Guinea. Unfortunately Lance began experiencing trouble with inflammation of his left knee for which he received treatment over July. This synovitis continued to flair in the following months, but Lance left Townsville for Port Moresby, arriving at the end of October ’43. Whilst there, he and Melva welcomed their first child, a son, Lyall Lancelot, just after Christmas ’43. Lance was finally able to leave New Guinea, returning to Australia via Brisbane to finally meet his son. No unexpectedly, Lance was absent without leave for six days on his return to South Australia, was admonished and unfortunately forfeited his pay for that time.
In September ’44, the 2/48th spent intensive time in amphibious training. This preceded the much-anticipated grand Final of the Australian Rules football competition and the 9th Division Premiership. Almost the entire 2/48th Battalion travelled by motor for the match between their battalion and the 2/9th Division Calvary Regiment. The 2/48th had an exhilarating three-point win in what was described as one of the best matches ever played between the units. It was the third time the 2/48th had won the Divisional Premiership. (So many of those who had represented the 2/48th had been league players prior to enlisting, including the Braidwood brothers, SX7948 Ken Trenorden, SX7890 Max Trengove, (both killed in action) SX7357 George Driver, SX7257 Stan Smith, SX8063 John ‘Jock’ Hood, SX7677 Errol Sterzl, SX17165 Noel Giles, SX11119 Bert Johnstone, SX8144 Curly Aplin and SX7033 Russell Lucas to name just a few.)
Lance’s knee, however, continued to be troublesome, inevitably contributing to his discharge on the 22nd January, ’45. He was offered civilian work as a packerman with Adelaide Milling. Melva and Lance welcomed Brian Wayne, who arrived in September ’45. The following month, Ivan was discharged in October ’45 and Leo in March ‘46. Glen’s service was complicated, but he was finally, officially discharged in May ’47.
For Melva and Lance, their second post-Christmas baby, Helen June, arrived on their son Lyall’s birthday, in ’49. Importantly, Gordon saw his sons return from war, his second daughter, Iris marry Gordon Lucas and he shared the joy in the arrival of several grandchildren. Aged 62 he died on the 13th July ’53 and was buried at Dudley Park. He had raised the family since his wife’s death and they mourned him. Advertiser Tuesday 14 July 1953, BRAIDWOOD. —On July 13, at hospital, Gordon Clyde, beloved husband of the late Iris Victoria Braidwood and loving father of Ivan, Lance, Betty, Leo, Glen, Iris, Bob and Gwenda. Aged 62 years. At rest. The following year the children again placed a tribute to their father. Lance’s read ‘BRAIDWOOD. — In loving memory of our dear dad and grandpa, who passed away July 13 1953. Life moves on but memories stay. — Always remembered by Lance, Melva and children.’
Aged 76, Lancelot died on the 26th June 1996 at the Repatriation Hospital, Pasadena. He was buried in Centennial Park Cemetery, RSL Wall 129 in Niche D014. His older brother, Ivan from the 2/48th Battalion also rests at Centennial Park. Melva lived to be 91. She died on the 27th August 2012 and was later buried in the Cheltenham Cemetery. (After Lance’s death she married another widow, Alfred William Taylor.)
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133 2/48th Battalion.